Hiking the Damnation Creek Trail in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Distance: 4.2 miles / 6.8 km
Generally speaking, trails throughout the Redwoods exhibit fairly minimal elevation changes, as Redwoods do not grow well the near the coast nor do they grow very high up in the mountains.
However, the Damnation Creek Trail is one of those exceptions, with over 1,100 ft. of elevation change each way, from the parking area off Highway 101 to the coast.
Damnation Creek Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Damnation Creek Trail is located directly off U.S. 101 on the left-hand side if you’re driving north or right-hand side if you’re driving south.
The trailhead will likely be the only place off the highway with a number of cars, so it should be fairly easy to find.
Google Maps Directions: Damnation Creek Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Redwoods
There are black bears found throughout the Redwoods, but hiking with or without bear spray is truly up to your own discretion and comfort level in black bear territory.
Hiking the Damnation Creek Trail
Unfortunately, during the visit when I planned to hike the Damnation Creek Trail, the majority of the hike was closed due to reconstruction from the Coastal Trail to the ocean.
Therefore, I can only share my experience from the short part of the trail that was open, but from what I hiked, the route seemed fairly straightforward.
Initially, the Damnation Creek Trail climbs up a hill above the highway before it starts descending steeply down to the coast.
After only 0.2 miles, the Damnation Creek Trail starts to make the long descent down the nearly 1,200 ft. of elevation change.
Coastal Trail Junction
The road below is the Coastal Trail, and it’s as far as I was able to hike, with the remaining 1.4 miles under construction.
Someday, I will be back to finish the Damnation Creek Trail, as I could already tell the Redwoods through Del Norte Coast were some of the least-visited throughout all the parks.
