blue lotus adventures

Access to the Emerald Ridge Trail requires a backcountry day pass. The pass is free and can be obtained at any of the visitor centers. I got mine at the Kuchel Visitor Center. From the dirt parking lot, it is a few steps until the Emerald Ridge Trail starts at a sharp left turn. Be careful you don’t miss the trail sign. The trail straight ahead takes you to the Tall Trees Loop.

Tall Trees Access Road is off Bald Hills Road. It is a dirt road that give access to the trail head for Tall Trees Grove and Emerald Ridge Trail and Loop. The road is gated and requires a permit to enter. A permit can be obtained for free at any visitor center but the most convenient is the Kuchel Visitor Center. With your permit, the ranger will give you the combination to the lock on the gate.  I didn’t have any problem entering the gate with the combination. Once past the gate, you have to close and lock it again. However, I did have a problem trying to exit. The lock would not open. It took me about 10 minutes trying to fitness, then hammer with a rock, to get it open.

The Emerald Ridge Trail really has no views and you only pass by a few old growth redwoods. The trail is about 1.5 miles and ends at Redwood Creek. You can return the way you came or continue with the Emerald Ridge Loop which requires walking the banks and fording the Redwood Creek several times until you reach the Tall Trees Loop.

Below is a loop hike that incorporates  Emerald Ridge and Redwood Creek.