Damnation Creek Trail

This is a great place to take a short walk in the redwoods and see the wild rhododendrons bloom in June and early July. I’ve never walked the whole trail, content to take pictures near the start of it. With flowers in bloom, it’s truly spectacular, but any time of year the redwoods are magnificent.
Two trails lead to the part that goes to the ocean. I go to the south trailhead. There is a poorly unmarked small parking area that takes some effort to locate. The Redwoods Parks visitor’s center on 101 south of the forest can direct you, and there are maps on the web. From the parking take the trail to the right from the parking. There is what looks like a trail to the left, but it quickly ends. The start of the trail is up hill, but it’s broad and easy to walk.

Beautiful ending to a hike. By the time you get to the bottom (1000 ft) on the ocean, you just want to stay. However, the climb back will hit you. If you jump into the stream it refreshes you and gets you ready for the hike back up. Takes about 2 –3 hours on a decent pace.
Make sure you head down. Don’t make a left or right. You will see a sign that says 1.7 miles and dead end. Follow that one. Wear hiking shoes, it gets slippery. I wouldn’t do it if it was raining. It can be dangerous.

Incredible trail lined with redwoods, rhodies, azeleas and ferns that ends at a beautiful private beach listed with tide pools when at low tide. Not for the weak at heart though … Walk to beach us straight down, meaning the walk back is straight up. I am an avid hiker and it was a tough climb back to the car. Beautiful and worth it, but not an easy afternoon stroll.

To get to Damnation Creek Trail, you’ll have to follow a short bit of the Coastal Trail (which follows the old Highway 101). It’s a fun descent to the ocean, over some little bridges and through some high brush at times.
Time your hike with the tides. If you reach the trail’s end at low tide, you can scramble down the rocks to the rocky beach. There are succulents clinging to the rocky bluffs, wildflowers growing above the beach, and waves crashing on the seastacks. You can find tidepools with all kinds of sea life. Wear waterproof shoes.
The hard part is the walk back. The hike is a dead end, and the first half is downhill. That means you’ll be walking up hill (the hike begins/​ends with a 1000-​foot elevation) for the second leg of your hike, so pace yourself. But the views are well worth the effort.
You can even cool off by walking a bit of the coastal trail when you’re done. It covers part of the old highway, so it’s flat and paved. In the spring there are some pretty wildflowers, too.
One of my favorite hiking trails in the area.