The Simpson – Reed TrailWith the Peterson Memorial Trail and Metcalf GroveLength 0.9 mi · Climbing 20 ftCalifornia > Redwood National and State Parks > Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
The Simpson-Reed Trail Background
This short roadside loop, located on a flat along the banks of the Smith River, starts from a well-signed pullout on the side of busy Highway 199. The visibility and convenience of this trail ensures a steady stream of visitors, making it the most popular trail in the park. Although it's a nice trail, it's a little surprising how different it is from all the other trails in the park. In contrast to the open, cathedral-like appearance of Stout Grove or the Boy Scout Tree Trail, the Simpson-Reed Trail has an unusually dense, jungle-like look, with greenery covering almost every available surface. In addition, for a lowland redwood grove, the Simpson-Reed area has an unusually large number of different kinds of plants. There are, of course, lots of big redwoods, although there aren't any monster trees that can compare with the those around Howland Hill Road. Underneath the redwoods is a layer of hemlock trees so encrusted in moss and lichens that it's amazing they can survive (the redwoods don't have this problem because they shed their bark). It's these hemlocks that really give this grove its distinctive look. Underneath the hemlocks are small maple trees with brilliant green foliage, a common sight near streams. Finally, the ground is covered with a dense layer of sword ferns, and underneath those are abundant, clover-like redwood sorrel. Surprisingly, although the trail is just off Highway 199, the traffic noise tends to fade quickly (depending on the wind and other factors) and is usually not an issue for most of the walk. The path is compacted gravel, is wheelchair-accessible, and is flat and level throughout. A few interpretive signs discuss forest ecology.
Click map to show all trails and roads Hike description
The Simpson-Reed Trail The well-marked trailhead is located by a pullout on the north side of Highway 199. Stay to the right as you enter the woods, then turn right at the Peterson Memorial Trail. Cross a footbridge and continue along the trail until it crosses another footbridge and re-joins the Simpson-Reed Trail. Turn right, passing by a memorial bench and then a large fallen tree before returning to the highway.
The Simpson-Reed Trail Metcalf Grove
Hidden in the woods a few yards and across a creek from the Simpson-Reed Trail is a short, unmarked path with the same excessive jungle-like lushness. There are lichens hanging from tree branches, foliage everywhere, and some pretty impressive trees. But the meandering, little-visited track through Metcalf Grove feels more wild than the wide and heavily-used gravel path of Simpson-Reed (although sometimes it's surprising how many people find their way here). There are also some nice views of the little creek, and a few paths have been worn by people going down to the gravel-lined creekbed. The little-known trail can be reached by driving a few yards up the dirt road (Walker Road) that starts next to the Simpson-Reed pullout. Drive up Walker Road a few yards past the bridge and look carefully for the trail to your right. There's a small pullout just after the trail. Walker Road continues past this point for about a mile and makes a nice old-growth drive, similar to Howland Hill Road but with the characteristic lushness of the area. The road is a dead-end and dumps you onto a sandy flat by the side of the Smith River; you'll have to make a U-turn in the sand.
Metcalf Grove A few yards north of the trail is an apparently natural break in the redwood canopy that runs roughly east-west and lets in some extra sun. So at 5 pm when Simpson-Reed is getting depressingly dark, Metcalf Grove is still lit by golden late-afternoon rays. The official part of the trail meanders past a bench and ends when it reaches a second bench. After this point an unofficial trail continues into the woods, becoming increasingly faint. Related websites
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