Curious why so many people rave about James Irvine trail in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park? Or why redwoodhikes.com gives it a 5 star rating? The reason may be several reasons. As a loop with Miners  A sample photo is shown below.

The grandeur in part, may be that a long stretch seems panoramic or cinematic. That’s a description that only James Irvine trail inspires me to say for a description. I don’t even pick the same words for Boy Scout Tree trail in Jedediah Smith, which is also one of the finest redwood hiking trails.  James Irvine Trail is about 4.2 miles one way, and of several loop options is about 11.5 miles for both ways to the beach and back.

James Irvine trail was re-routed in the last few years. Personally, I don’t feel the new route made it any better, because the old route went through an area with a lot of character. But the new route made it no worse either, and made a path available that is rather unique. Starting near the visitor center, and after about 20 minutes, the trail hooks a sharp left up a hillside and behind a small ridge. This brings the hiker or runner to a position looking out into the canopy and down toward a small valley. A generous length of this trail meanders in and out of small notch-valleys, with a new view around every corner. This is what gives the cinematic feel.

The trail can be done individually both ways, partially sampled, or combined with Miners Ridge Trail, Clintonia Trail and Gold Bluffs Beach for several loops and lengths of hiking. Fern Canyon near the beach and ocean can be included too.

This is not my favorite trail in the park. On some days, it can be a two or three way tie with with others like Prairie Creek Trail or Brown Creek trail. It just depends on what I’m in the mood for that day.  A couple of years ago, I took a writer from Washington D. C., and his photographer out of Los Angeles, on James Irvine trail, after a couple of other favorites which they said were “the best” for an experience. But we put a wrap on the two days with James Irvine trail, and they then said it was the most awesome for them. I think part of it  was mist and late time of day … but they are right, the trail is awesome.

More Redwood stuff at > Redwood Info & Photos Main Page

James Irvine Redwood Trail