State: California
Location: Redwood National Park
Length, Round Trip: 5.5 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Minimum Elevation: 35 feet
Elevation Change: 1170 feet
Best Season: Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Heavy
Trail Information
The Three Hour Loop Trail in Redwood National Park begins on an access road from Orick. The trailhead lies along Redwood Creek, approximately one half mile northeast of the small community. This route and the other loops in this area of the park, is frequently used by equestrians. The Three Hour Loop Trail leads northward from the trailhead then turns eastward after a quarter mile. After hiking a half mile eastward and gaining 400 feet in that half mile the trail climbs on a series of switchbacks to the south. The route climbs to 750 feet then levels following the contour of a ridge. After a quarter mile of relatively level hiking the path splits. This is the beginning of your loop. Following the left fork in the Three Hour Loop Trail, you continue to climb. The climb is steep at first then the grade lessens as you reach the summit of the ridge. Within a half mile the trail climbs 400 feet and you’ve reached the ridge summit where the trail levels.
At the summit, the Three Hour Loop Trail forks. Take the right side of the fork to take the shortest loop. The trail crosses the ridge in one quarter mile and splits again. Turn right at this junction walking north back to the beginning of the loop. The Three Hour Loop Trail begins to descend at this junction. Walking across a forested hillside, you’ll descend slowly for the first quarter mile. Soon the trail turns west and begins to descend more steeply for a short distance. Turning north again, the trail levels for the next half mile to the end of the loop. Turn left when you reach the fork in the trail and walk north to the trailhead for 1.25 miles back to the trailhead.
Directions
From Orick:
Turn eastward from Highway 101 on an access route to the Redwood Creek Horse Trailhead. From Highway 101 it is nearly 0.5 miles to the trailhead.
