Redwood National Park - Family 5 Day Guided Mountain Bike Trip

Day 1

The Lady Bird Johnson Grove is our first destination for this trip and we will shuttle in the van to get there. Here we will hike the trail, where we will learn more about the trees and how they were saved when the national park was formed. This is a great close up look at these towering giants. The geography of northwestern California creates unique conditions which allow these trees to grow. The proximity to the ocean makes the climate very moderate. Rainfall is very high in the winter, up to 80 inches! All these factors combine to make this the most productive and diverse forest in the world. After lunch, the parents will head out to ride Holter Ridge. This long and unsupported ride includes some substantial climbs and a fast steep downhill, not for the feint of heart. The ride will take the parents right back to camp. The kids will shuttle back to camp and then do a ride on another section of the Davison Trail.

TOTAL MILEAGE: 3 - 16 miles riding, 1.5 miles hiking

Day 2

Today we will get our first glimpse of the vast Pacific Ocean. We will ride straight from camp and head out on a section of trail that links up with Davison Road. Everybody rides this morning as we make our way to the dramatic bluffs above the ocean. Our destination for the day will be Gold Bluffs Beach and the beautiful Fern Canyon. We will pack our lunch today and stop along the trail. We will spend time on the beach, swimming and spotting sea life. Seals and pelicans are just a few of the animals we could spot spending time on the beach. Afterwards we will hike Fern Canyon. Fern Canyon is a beautiful oasis with ferns growing all the way up the bluffs, think of a tunnel of green following a beautiful stream. We will return to our camp for the night at Elk Prairie, giving us a lot of chances to see the elk herd that frequents this area.

TOTAL MILEAGE: 8-16 miles riding, 1-2 miles hiking

Day 3

This morning we will start the day with a shuttle to the Coastal Trail. This is a trail that runs 70 miles north and south connecting all the sections of the Redwoods National Park. Riding this section of trail through giant trees will take us to an overlook over the Pacific. The ride starts along an old growth forest road before pinching down into singletrack and running on top of bluffs towering over the ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for the banana slugs that make their homes amoungst these giants, and make sure to give them a kiss goodbye. After we catch a view of the Pacific we will retrace our steps and shuttle to our campsite at Jedediah Smith Campground that sites along side the Smith River. Jedediah Smith was an early american pioneer, frontiersman, and mountain man. He explored the mountain west and made his way to California in 1826. We will get the chance to enjoy time on the river tomorrow on our float!!

TOTAL MILEAGE: 9 - 15 miles riding

Day 4

Float day!! We will start the day the a great breakfast and relaxing scenery along the river. We only have a short distance to where we meet up with our river outfitters who will take great care of us on the water. The Smith River was designated as a wild and scenic river in 1981. It is the only major river system in California without any dams built from its headwaters to where is dumps out into the Pacific. We will make a stop along the float to take a short hike around the Stout Grove, widely considered the most beautiful stand of redwoods in the world. We will finish our float with a few exciting stretches of class I rapids and a great lunch where we can take a quick swim.

TOTAL MILEAGE: All day float

Day 5

We finish our trip off with biking a the beautiful Howland Hill Road. We will pass the Stout Grove and the Grove of the Titans. This will be a shorter morning ride that will take us all the way to a beautiful coastal walk. We will hike the section of the Coastal Trail which will take us to Hidden Beach. It is a primarily downhill walk with great views to the beach. This is a beautiful beach which has great giant boulders to climb, tide pools, soft sand and cool drift wood. In the tidepools we may see creatures such as anemones, sea stars, sea cucumbers, crabs and chitons. Once we have all explored the tide pools and marine life of this very special spot, we will continue north to Lagoon Creek for the final lunch of our trip.

TOTAL MILEAGE: 13 miles riding, 1-2 miles hiking

Be sure to bring everything on this list. We have carefully developed this list to ensure your comfort on the tour regardless of the weather. If you are prepared for extreme weather, it is an adventure. If you are not prepared it can be a serious problem.We recommend the layering system, including a wicking or long underwear layer, an insulating layer and a weather barrier for wind and rain. This list reflects that philosophy. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable so be sure to bring all the warm clothing and rain gear listed!

HOW TO PACK: The bulk of your gear and clothing will ride in the Western Spirit support vehicle (preferably in a large duffle bag) and will not be accessible during the day.

For this trip, you will need a riding pack and optional day bag:

Your riding pack may be a hydration pack, but needs to carry 2-3 liters of water, rain gear, other warm clothing, and food for the day. You may be away from camp and the support vehicle all day and need to be self-sufficient.

A small day bag is optional and may be used to store things you’d rather not ride with, but would like to have access to during the day. This day-pack will remain with the support vehicle and may not be accessible, depending on the day.

WHAT WE PROVIDE: ✓ meals, snacks, water, electrolyte drinks, non-alcoholic drinks ✓ camp mugs, all kitchen and dining ware ✓ 1 cycling water bottle ✓ camp chairs ✓ solar showers ✓ sunscreen & bug spray ✓ bike stand and lube ✓ guides bring their own tools ✓ first aid kit with basic medications

BRINGING OR RENTING

• Bike (Our rentals come with flat pedals. You are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.)
• Helmet (gratis w/rental bike)
• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad

CYCLING CLOTHING

• cycling shoes
• 3 - 5 pair cycling shorts
• 3 - 5 cycling shirts
• long sleeve cycling shirt
• long sleeve cotton shirt or solar sleeves
• cycling socks
• windbreaker
• tights or leg warmers
• 2 pair cycling gloves (1 pair full length for warmth)
• rain jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)
• rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
• warm layer (lightweight synthetic puffy jacket or long sleeve fleece shirt)
• sunglasses or other eye protection

CAMP CLOTHING

• camp shorts
• shirts
• warm socks
• long underwear, top and bottom (wicking layer, not cotton)
• 2 pair warm long pants
• long sleeve fleece or sweater
• pile or down jacket (insulating layer)
• warm gloves and hat
• brimmed hat or visor
• bathing suit (for solar showers on the trip and at the hotel before/after your trip)
• hiking shoes
• sandals
• rain gear to wear in camp

PERSONAL

• toiletries
• medication (daily and emergency)
• towel
• biodegradable soap
• wet-wipes
• flashlight or headlamp (with extra batteries)
• sunglasses
• optional day bag
• stuff sacks or reusable grocery bags (or separate compartments for your dry bag
• cash for tipping guides: your guides work as a team and share all of their gratuities. A tip of 10-20% of the price of your trip given to either one of your guides when you return to civilization is a great way to say thanks for a job well done.

OPTIONAL

• camera, extra batteries
• binoculars
• alcoholic or any of your favorite beverages (your guides will pack these)
• books or maps
• we encourage you to turn your devices off, but if you cannot, please bring a way to charge them. We recommend a portable USB charger with 1-2 charges. Also, putting your phone on airplane mode to save power is recommended.

Driving Brookings is located on Highway 101, 15 miles north of the California/Oregon border. It is a 5-6 hour drive from either San Francisco or Portland. There is parking available for your car.

Flying into Medford, OR Airport Code: MFR Approximately 80 miles to the northwest. You will drive over lovely Grants Pass.

Flying into Eureka, CA Airport Code: ACV Approximately 80 miles south on HWY 101; a beautiful drive along the Pacific Coast.

It is a good idea to book your rooms several months in advance; here are a few recommendations:

Beachfront Inn - 16008 Boat Basin Road, Brookings OR, 97415. 

Harbor Inn - 15991 US-101, Harbor, OR 97415.