Ca. Redwood trip advice needed

[DavidC]

Okay guy's I am looking for advice here. The family will be heading for the Redwoods in June. The plan is to leave Tempe AZ. and land at Hiouchi Hamlett RV Resort. That is unless you tell me of a good spot that we can see the trees and the kids can also check out the sea life in close proximity to the Redwoods.

I have used Microsoft Streets and Trips which gave me I10 to I5 north into Oregon to 199 South to Hiouchi.

Next I used Rand Mcnally 2001 edition which gave me the I10 to I5 to I580 and eventually to 101.

I will be pulling a 10K 32' Citation 5th wheel and would like the least amount of headaches as possible.



Any suggestions?

Dave

 

[NBowlin]

Well if you have gone from I-5 to Hiouchi you have already passed all the head aches, so you are all good to go from there. Fuel is always REALLY bad in hiouchi though. You may consider topping off in Cave Junction or taking a little detour into Oregon to fill up.



There isnt much for redwoods right there though. If you are to continue west a smidge, after dropping off the 5'er you will go thru a little bit of them and you will be headed to 101. You will come to a point where you can branch off to the left to go to crecsent city Ca. It will go across a bridge and bring you into a windy road right thru some pretty impressive trees and I believe a handful of walking paths.



Now if you keep going until you hit 101 and head south until you are out of town , not far at all, you will go up hill and be in the redwoods for a long time. 101 brings you right thru them, and there are lots of trails and such that are in the redwoods, or thru them to the beach even.



I dont know if you are into elk and all that jazz or not, but a little bit of a drive, maybe an hour down 101, you will come to signs for the old higway and ferry creek elk heard as well as I believe its called fern canyon or something like that. There are a lot of elk and they are kinda neat if you arent used to seeing them.



Also I dont know if you seen anything for the... Trees Of Mystery... but that place is right down in there with the elk on 101. Its a trail with people who talk to you and all that. I have never been but always see it driving down the road.



If you have any more questions I was born and raised in Oregon right on the border. dont know a lot about where to park a 5'er, but I have a decent bit of knowledge on the area, so if you need any more just pm me or I will try and keep an eye out here.

 

[Dual EE]

Look at taking 20 west at Williams CA over to 101. Follow 101 up the coast to Crescent City,CA. From there your are only 30 miles max from Hiouchi.



101 will take you through the Redwood tree groves, near the ocean, and through an area (just north of Orick,CA) where large herds of wild elk graze near the freeway. All easy roads, but you will have some 5-6% grades to climb or go down.



Fill up with fuel in Willits CA. Fuel gets more expensive once you get further north.

 

[Joe G.]

One thing to remember is that there are a LOT of redwoods!!! If you drive into Humboldt County from the south as Duel EE suggests you will come through Richardson Grove. Note that the bark is in bad shape on the road side trees. It is 130 miles on 101 to Del Norte County. A good portion is in the redwood forest. Just north of Garberville take the old highway (101) at the Avenue of the Giants. When you get out of Humboldt County it is still quite a few miles from the county line to Cresent City, most of it in redwoods. All along the way are plenty of RV camp grounds. Some of 101 is right next to the beach.

 

[bombero]

DuelEE is right on. I would take I5 and go west on Hwy 20 to 101. Beatiful country. Have a safe trip!!

 

[merryman]

One other point;



Highway 199 from Grants Pass to the coast is NOT entirely headache free. It is a very nice drive except for a few curves; there are three of four that are pretty tight and a couple that will stand your hair on end if you happen to meet a truck in them. To keep a pickup and 30' fiver in your lane is close to impossible. We tow a 30' fiver and every time I drive that road, I wonder if it was a good move. A few years ago a friend towing a 29' fiver met a truck in the worst of the curves and even though he got over so close to the embankment that his wife was unable to open her door and stoped, a truck he was meeting still clipped his fiver and did some damage. We often tow on 101 through much of Calif. and Oregon and it is OK for your rig.

There is an RV park near Orick Ca. (can't come up with the name right now, but seems like it has either "redwood" or "red school" in the name), where we have stayed a few times, and on one occasion there was a herd of elk just outside the RV parking area.



Vaughn

 

[Slow Six]

We did that trip this past winter except we came down from Seattle. We stayed on # 1 as much as possible. This road is right on the coast and for the most part is narrow and winds around a lot. I think the Crescent City area is one of the better areas for seeing the redwoods. We were pulling our fiver for the whole trip and had no problems. There is lots of signage to warn of roads that have a length restriction. The shortest restriction I found was 30 ft. from kingpin to axle. As mentioned above there are a lot of driving, hiking and even some bicycle trails. They should be in good repair by now. We found some of the trails in bad shape from the Feb. rains. Be sure to take in the drive-thru trees. I hope you enjoy the area as much as we did.

 

[RonA]

Another nice area is the road that follows the Navarro River out to Highway 1. Good stand of trees along the road with a river running through it. Turn left at highway 1 and there is a large beach where the river empties into the ocean.

 

[willyslover]

hwy 20 is a narrow no passing in most of the length [save a couple] and slow route . . many touristas in the summer months as it passes Clear Lake [miss named as it's isn't do to very heavy algie in warm months]drive it very early and miss the traffic if ya can. . suggest you use the 580 route but be aware of very heavy traffic conditions in am/pm commute hrs. [from hwy 5 or 99 to and including San Rafiel bridge turn off] take it to the San Rafiel bridge crossing over to 101 and then north.

the above mentioned drives are good ones especially the Ave. of the Giants [named after my relatives LOL] . . Fern Canyon is a must see for a desert prowler like yourself.



looking for good food along the way. . very good sea food in Eureka try the Sea Grill . . or a huge family spot that is a favorite to many is the Samoa Cook House , used to be a logger/mill cook house. . more food than you have ever seen and non stop replenishment till your done

 

[Dual EE]

Fern Canyon

I just visited Fern Canyon 2 weeks ago and it was beautiful. There is a 8 mile narrow dirt road and if I recall right, trailers are not allowed and maximum vehicle length was 24 feet. I was there just after a storm and although the road was muddy, it was easily navigated. At the base of the road there is a large parking lot were you probably can leave your trailer.



The Fern Canyon area has beach access and many walking trails so bring your lunch.

 

[jacqnbill]

The campground near Orick is Redwood Trails. It has on old red schoolhouse out front and lots of elk poop on the grounds. I have a membership there and it is a Coast to Coast / RPI campground. It has a neat fishing pond which is stocked and you pay for each fish. I just thro back. The kids, if any, will have a ball. There is a great beach area a few miles north of Orick but windy and cold.



Bill

 

[DavidC]

Thanks for the suggestions and tips. People having first hand knowledge of parks and road conditions is definately a plus for traveling. Now that I know some of the obstacles I can check the map and decide the route.



Thanks again



Dave

 

[DJW]

The Avenue of the Giants is a must see on old 101, if intending to visit ocean beaches, dress warmly, way too cold for T-Shirts. In Summer, the beaches are a good place to freeze your buns off, an alternative to the inland heat, that is in Northen California, enjoy your trip. Scrum Down

 

[Cigar John]

Take the I-5 /20 to 101 route. You don't want the Bay Area hassle.

The scenery is much better than the 199 route. Just came back from Portland area and "the narrows" still give me cold sweats.

As others have said don't miss The Avenue of the Giants.

 

[Joe G.]

One thing you have to watch for on the Ave of the Giants is tourists laying on their backs in the middle of the road trying to pictures of redwoods. Just take it easy, stop often, enjoy yourselves. Welcome to my home country.

 

[PJereb]

The coast highway is a fantastic road to get motion sickness.



Bring several airsickness bags, my wife puked profusley last time we were on the coast, which was not much fun for her, me, or my pickup.

 

[MDietrich]

I'm going to jump on DavidC's wagon here to ask a couple of questions too.

We're heading to the Redwoods in June also, our first destination being Trinidad, CA. We are coming in from I-80. I've read the comments about 20 west from I-5 because that is one rout I'm looking at. Would we better off taking I-5 north to Redding and then west on 299? Is 299 a good road to travel with a 29' tt?

If 299 is a good road we are looking a taking 395 out of Reno to 44 into Redding.

I'm sure no matter what route we take we are going to enjoy California. We have been planning this trip since last fall and are really looking forward to it. It is really nice to be able to get some advice from a great bunch here TDR.



Thanks



MD

 

[jacqnbill]

I'm going to jump on DavidC's wagon here to ask a couple of questions too.

We're heading to the Redwoods in June also, our first destination being Trinidad, CA. We are coming in from I-80. I've read the comments about 20 west from I-5 because that is one rout I'm looking at. Would we better off taking I-5 north to Redding and then west on 299? Is 299 a good road to travel with a 29' tt?

If 299 is a good road we are looking a taking 395 out of Reno to 44 into Redding.

I'm sure no matter what route we take we are going to enjoy California. We have been planning this trip since last fall and are really looking forward to it. It is really nice to be able to get some advice from a great bunch here TDR.



Thanks



MD

I have taken 299 from Redding and 20 from I-5. The 299 is very pretty but a killer when pulling a trailer. Lots of upgrades and downgrades plus curves up the kazoo. I was exhausted after 299.

 

[MDietrich]

That is advice worth considering, jacqnbill. Mom and Dad in-law are along on this trip with their 27' 5ver and '03 Duramax, sister-in-law, her husband and kids too, with their 4Runner and popup. One less thing to test our nerves would be a good thing.

I will mention this when we head out.

Thanks,

MD

 

[Dual EE]

MDietrich,

I have been over 299 several times towing. It's is a twisty, winding road with 4 mountain passes. The worst of it is just outside of Redding and is about a 8 miles long.

Plan on the 150 miles across 299 to take at least 3 hours. If you are not in a hurry and just taking your time, it's not that bad. There are a few rest stops and many areas to pull over where you can access the Trinity river. The river will still be very cold and swift in June. I believe they are letting more water out of the dam to help the salmon run. If there are any highways to avoid coming over to the coast it would be 36.



I know you all will enjoy the north coast when you get here.