Hike Redwood Creek, Elam Creek, McArthur Creek Loop Redwood National Park, CA

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Redwood Creek, Elam Creek, McArthur Creek Loop GPX Track

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Just a note before looking at this trail: it is kind of boring. Unfortunately, the majority follows old logging roads through new growth forest, but you can make this somewhat unpleasantly long hike into a short one by cutting out the Elam Creek Trail and the McArthur Creek Trail and just heading through old growth redwoods from the Redwood Creek Trail to the Ridge Trail. To be fair, the trail links I made to create this loop includes mostly horse trails, but I didn't know that when planning this hike, honestly.

Assuming you intend to do the loop as I did it, though, start from the Redwood Creek Trailhead and follow the pretty trail on the east side of Redwood Creek until a bridge takes you to the other side, which is slightly less well maintained. After locating the trail on the east side, follow it until Elam Creek Horse Camp. To make this hike shorter and more enjoyable, head to the right and follow that northern section of the Elam Creek Trail to the Ridge Trail. Or, do my loop and head along the southern section of the Elam Creek Trail through new growth forest and logging roads until it finally meets up with the McArthur Creek Trail. Follow the McArthur Creek Trail down into McArthur Creek, which is very pretty, and continue to meet up with the Ridge Trail. Follow the Ridge Trail down to Redwood Creek and either bushwhack and cross the creek (like I did), or walk a little farther to an official trailhead and follow the paved road back to the Redwood Creek Trailhead. The map attached will likely be helpful in understanding what's going on here.

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The Redwood Creek trail starts off with a pretty bridge and trees hanging over the wide trail, but it's not super exciting.

Lots of mini bridge crossings.

Eventually, you get to see Redwood Creek.

Bench overlooking the creek.

A bridge leads across Redwood Creek. The trail might be a little difficult to pick up on the other side.

A bridge on the other side of Redwood Creek.

The trail on the other side is much less well maintained and narrows out a bit.

Redwood Creek on the left.

Looking back the way I came along Redwood Creek.

Elam Creek Camp has some old mossy picnic tables.

A spot to water horses, based on a big plastic trough behind this fence.

A brief section of pretty forest.

The trail then becomes an overgrown forest road.

And that road slowly becomes more and more visible and boring.

A random section of prettiness to break up the general road monotony.

Great. Road. Awesome. This goes on for most of the hike.

Finally, toward the western end of the Elam Creek Loop, the road fades into a trail and briefly follows the McArthur Creek Trail.

But the trail goes through new growth forest, no redwoods. Thanks, deforestation!

The trail then goes through denser woods.

The trail heads steeply down to a creek with a scenic bridge and mossy trees within McArthur Creek's gully. I was happy for some elevation change.

Bridge over McArthur Creek.

And then the trail heads back up from McArthur Creek and into old growth forest along the Ridge Trail.

After the switchbacks leading through old growth forest along the Ridge Trail, you get to the intended start for the horse trail loops (there are three, according to this sign).

To complete the loop, I had to cross Redwood Creek and then walk half a mile along the road that approaches the Redwood Creek trailhead.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!