The ride starts and ends in Crescent City Ca, and makes a short 91-mile loop down and up the Redwood Coast of Northern California.
I was coming in from Oregon (on my way to Reno, NV) and was planning on a 2 hour diversion through the Redwoods – instead, I ended up spending most of the day there.
Heading into Crescent City from the north, I decided to stop at the Park’s Headquarter information center. The center is located downtown right off of Route 101 (can’t miss the signs) and has a lot of maps and information on the park as well as a couple Rangers on hand to explain the different areas.
The Ranger that I spoke with pointed out the Klamath area - the more popular tourist area - but told me that if I wanted to get “the true feel” of the Redwoods that I should take Howland Hill Road through the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
Before you get started on this ride, be aware that Howland Hill Road is an 8 mile DIRT road through the park. The road is hard-packed dirt (not gravel or sand) and is very well maintained.
If you live in Vermont it will seem like just another road but if you’re unsure or don’t have experience riding on dirt roads, you may want to take the suggested alternative route. If you do follow Howland Hill Road, you will not be disappointed.
From the Park Headquarters, head south on Route 101 for about a half mile and then turn left onto Elk Valley Road.
Moto-Maps, llc
Stay on Elk Valley Road for about a mile before turning right onto Howland Hill Road. Howland Hill starts off as a paved road and climbs a little through some tight turns before entering the park and turning into a dirt road.
Once you are in the park, the road becomes a narrow corridor that weaves you through the great Redwoods.
As you ramble through the park at 10 miles per hour, it feels like you have stepped back into prehistoric times.
The Coastal Redwoods can survive to be about 2000 years old and tower over 360 feet with a base diameter of up-to 22 feet. The fog and mild climate only add to the effect.
This is truly the best way to experience these great trees.
Moto-Maps, llc
After about 8 miles, the road turns back to pavement and you exit the main park area. A quick left onto South Fork Road and another left after crossing the bridge over the Smith River, takes you to Route 199.
Route 199 is well paved and has some great banked twists that take you back into and through the park. The spirited pace is quite a different experience than just moments before on Howland Hill Road.
You can follow 199 back to Crescent City and Route 101 South or you can take Elk Valley Road to avoid some of the town’s congestion.
Route 101 is a fantastic road that offers both great forest and ocean vistas. You have to struggle over deciding to ride slow and enjoy the scenery or ride fast and enjoy the road.
I decided to ride fast – but stopped often at the designated pull-off areas (kind of felt I was rushing to go nowhere).
Moto-Maps, llc
After about 18 miles on Route 101, look for Requa Road on your right. This is a nice detour taking you to the top of the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the mouth of the Klamath River.
It’s also a popular spot for whale watching. When I was there, the Ranger posted at the lookout spotted some Grey Whales near the mouth of the river – to me it looked like just some white mist puffing off the ocean’s surface but I still thought it was pretty cool.
After checking out the whales, head back south on Route 101 and exit right onto the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. The parkway slows the pace down a bit and takes you back into the thick of the great Redwoods.
There are plenty of places to stop, and enjoy the trees close-up. Drury Parkway is a pleasant 8.8 mile ride in the woods that takes you right back to Route 101. Route 101 (heading north this time) is the last leg of the ride and brings you back to Crescent City.
The great thing about Route 101 is that by just changing directions, it feels like a whole new road and offers a completely different feel.
As I mentioned, this ride is only 91 miles long but give yourself the whole day to enjoy it.
This month’s featured ride is from the Moto-Maps® “Finding America” cross-country discovery tour and was created and reported by the company’s founder, Keith Myers.
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Click on the map, legend and directions below to enlarge.
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