The Friendship Ridge TrailLoop hike with the Coastal TrailLength 8 mi · Climbing 960 ftCalifornia > Redwood National and State Parks > Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
The Coastal Trail Background
This very enjoyable loop starts with an easy stroll through coastal meadows, then climbs into attractive old-growth redwood uplands. A stroll through Fern Canyon completes the varied and scenic hike. Although it doesn't have any really big redwoods, this hike has a nice remote feel and is the only loop in Prairie Creek without any traffic noise at all. The Coastal Trail is often muddy, even in summer. In summer there are also a lot of mosquitos along the Coastal Trail, so either bring bug repellant or walk the whole trail without stopping. The hike is best during sunny weather, when the sunshine fills the woods, bringing out the colors of the trees and the brilliance of the ferns. On cloudy days, the woods have a dull look, with all the trees an identical grey color, and there's little variation along the entire trail.
Click map to show all trails and roads Hike description
The loop starts from the Fern Canyon parking lot, which is reached by a 4-mile-long dirt road. Near the beginning is a short stretch that in winter is often flooded with about 4 inches of muddy water; drivers often turn back at this point because there's no way to tell how deep it. The road climbs over a ridge, descends the other side, then runs along the beach at the base of Gold Bluffs. Near the end you'll have to drive through two or three streams, but they're usually only a few inches deep even in winter.
The West Ridge Trail passes through a zone of coastal spruce before entering the redwoods Starting from the Fern Canyon parking lot, walk north on the Coastal Trail past Fern Canyon. The trail runs near the base of the bluffs, at first passing through bright, open woods of maple and red alder. It then emerges onto a coastal meadow filled with birdsong and, in spring and early summer, dotted with wildflowers. Three small waterfalls, reduced to a trickle in summer, stream down the sheer bluffs. The beach and the ocean are hidden from view by a low rise and can't be reached from this part of the trail. Nonetheless, this is a very pretty area. The trail re-enters the woods shortly before the intersection with the West Ridge Trail. Although there aren't any redwoods here, the woods are lush, probably old growth, and quite scenic. Turn right onto the West Ridge Trail, which starts with a brief, steep climb up some steps before leveling out. The trail follows an old roadbed for a while, then begins climbing steeply again and enters the redwood forest. The trail climbs a ridge through a very unusual-looking stand of small redwoods: the trunks are an exceptionally light grey, the foliage is also very light, and the groundcover is a thicket of salal. As the trail climbs, it gets less steep and the forest takes on a more normal appearance, with larger trees and the salal replaced with a dense understory of huckleberry. The distant crash of the surf emanates through the trees.
The West Ridge Trail Turn right onto the Friendship Ridge Trail, which meanders downhill through lush redwood forest. At first the trail is not top of the ridge but partway down the hillside, which helps make the trail more scenic. Descending out of the huckleberry, the trail curves around ravines covered with an unbroken sea of ferns, with good-sized redwoods emerging here and there from the riot of fronds. The woods are surprisingly bright and open. The ocean is a continuous dull roar, sounding a lot like the inside of a jet in flight. Since the trail is close to the ridge, there aren't any creeks. Two unmaintained dead-end spurs branch off near the beginning of this trail. The first spur leads downhill to several memorial groves. The second spur also leads downhill, soon leaving the redwoods and following Boat Creek along what seems to be an old logging trail. The trail peters out soon after a large redwood that's fallen across the path. These spurs are in poor condition and don't offer any particularly exceptional scenery.
The Friendship Ridge Trail The Friendship Ridge Trail eventually straightens out and gains the top of the ridge. The scenery is less interesting after this point. Although it's still lush old-growth redwood uplands, the woods are denser and darker and there are few big trees. Descend to the James Irvine Trail and turn right. A short walk brings you to the trail into Fern Canyon. The bottom of the canyon is its own little world, removed from the forest, with the sounds of the burbling creek echoing between sheer fern-covered walls. The walls get shorter as you approach the beach.
More coastal spruce at the southern end of the Friendship Ridge Trail
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