FOM FOK Hiking Group

Fall Creek Unit, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Description

There are a variety of hikes at this site, from short and easy to long and hard. Once you get past the beginning of the trail, however, you begin a long climb up the side of a steep mountain. There are two large streams along the trail which probably run all summer. Since the streams fall over granite and lime down the mountainside, there are plenty of picturesque waterfalls. One of the trails involves crossing one of the streams several times, sometimes on logs, sometimes on carved tree trunks.

The long hike described below is about 9 miles long with a lot of climbing - probably more than 1200 feet. Except for the occasional rock fall, no portion is particularly steep. But once you have gone up to the lime kilns, if you take the long option, there isn't much choice but to continue or turn back - there aren't any shortcuts. For scenery, though, it's hard to beat.

The trail is completely covered. Most of the trails are more or less clear of poison oak, but you need to pay attention. Poison oak often encroaches the trail at foot level. It's easy to avoid, but you need to watch where you walk.

This short trails are easy and the long trail is hard on the "Wimble Scale". Plan on at least two large water bottles and two snacks for the long hike, which will take 4 to 5 hours and is probably over 9 miles long. I believe there were porta-potties at the trail head.

Directions

The map below is temporarily borrowed from http://www.best.com/~dforthof/HenryCowell/maps/map_fall_creek.html, until we can get a map of our own.
Take either Highway 9 or Highway 17 to Felton. The Felton Empire Road is located downtown where Mount Hermon Road from Highway 17 intersects Highway 9. Take the Felton Empire Road west.
A couple of tenths of a mile up the road, the Fall Creek Unit park is located on your right. It it marked by a small sign that is easy to miss while you are driving.
There is no parking fee, but the parking lot is small.
From the parking lot, begin on the only trail, which starts at the north west corner of the lot.
Bear left and follow the Fall Creek Trail about 6 tenths of a mile. This should bring you to a trail intersection after crossing a bridge over the South Fork Fall Creek. Bear left to head towards the lime kilns.
Circle around the lime kilns to the left and take the trail that heads to the right, immediately behind the lime kilns. This should be the Spur Pass Trail. You will be leaving the stream bed area and won't see a stream again for more than 2 miles. If instead, you headed left behind the lime kilns, you will come to a park gate after about a half mile of climb. Just turn around and return to the lime kilns. The lime kilns is probably your last chance to look at the map of the park.
Climb up the Spur Pass Trail. At nearly 2 miles along the way, you'll come to some signs that indicate that you can continue straight to the Lost Empire Trail. This is your last chance for a short cut back and it makes a loop back to the Spur Pass Trail. Not so clearly marked is the west option, continuing along Spur Pass Trail to Lost Camp. This is a narrow trail, barely wide enough for a horse.
At Lost Camp, continue at a nearly level or shallow climb until just before Big Ben Tree, where there is another short section of climb. You will cross a small, picturesque stream along the way.
At Big Ben Tree, bear right along Big Ben Trail. This begins a moderate descent of about 30 to 45 minutes to Fall Creek Trail.
At the intersection with Fall Creek Trail, the trail continues to the left for a short distance if you want to explorer. But to return, bear right and begin following the descent of the North Fork Fall Creek, and later it joins with the Mill Creek.
After about an hour of moderate descent, and after crossing the stream several times over logs and carved tree trunks, you will finally rejoin the Fall Creek Trail at the bridge near the lime kilns. Bear left to return to the parking lot.

Flowers

[Many—to be filled in yet]

Trip Reports

Saturday, June 3, 2000

Nancy, Kathy, and Mike make a death march. We didn't have enough information about the hike and expected a 5 mile, 2 or 3 hour hike instead of 9 miles and 5 hours. Water just barely lasted and we could have used some more energy snacks.

Click on pictures below to view 1024 x 768 versions (approximately 1 MB in size).

Mike is seated at a stream beyond Lost Camp.

One of the small water falls along the South Fork Fall Creek.