Oregon Redwoods Loop Hike - Hiking in Portland, Oregon and Washington (2024)

Between redwoods, Oregon Redwoods Trail (bobcat)

Hike Description

Coast redwoods, the world’s tallest tree, are established in the foothills 14 miles into Oregon. The Oregon trees can’t match the behemoths just a few miles farther south in California, but there are old-growth groves in the state. This loop trail in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is easily accessed from Brookings and offers a look at the varied vegetation endemic to redwood hill forest. Few trees are more than five feet in diameter, and this stand on Peavine Ridge was never logged but was scoured by fire in the past (in fact, the largest “tree” is a big snag with a “fire cave”). Two trails, one barrier-free (#1106) and the other a switchbacking drop and rise (#1107) take you through this forest.

The trail begins off the road at the top of the parking area. Interpretive panels describe the natural history of the area. There’s a brochure dispenser for the numbered posts on the barrier-free trail, but you’ll be lucky to find a guide. However, there’s an impressive redwood right there at the kiosk! The barrier-free trail enters a woodland of tanoak, Oregon myrtle (bay laurel), Douglas-fir, hemlock, and young redwoods. Keep to the right when you get to the junction that closes the loop hike. At post #3, there’s an impressive but wind-snapped Douglas-fir. At another junction, the close of the barrier-free loop, stay right to reach the “fire cave” snag and its small platform. The trail continues through an understory of rhododendron, evergreen huckleberry, and sword fern and passes a picnic table. Soon, you’ll come to the junction where Trail #1106 meets #1107.

Drop down to the right, passing a large Douglas-fir in a forest where redwoods dominate. The trail switchbacks at a big redwood with an exposed lignotuber decorated with a cluster of gargoyle-like burls. Another switchback takes you through a patch of sword fern and past a burled giant. Then the trail rises next to a ten-foot diameter colossus and makes six switchbacks up, at one point passing between two massive trunks. Snags in the understory attest to historic fires. The path traverses the slope to come to the first junction with Trail #1106. Head right to reach the trailhead.

Maps

Maps: Hike Finder
The Oregon Redwoods Trail (Redwood Hikes)
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Powers and Gold Beach Ranger Districts
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Siskiyou National Forest

Fees, Facilities, etc.

Picnic table, outhouse, interpretive signs

Trip Reports

Search Trip Reports for Oregon Redwoods Loop Hike

Redwoods – February 2020

Related Discussions / Q&A

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Guidebooks that cover this hike

Oregon’s Ancient Forests: A Hiking Guide by Chandra LeGue
Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon by Bonnie Henderson & Zach Urness
Hiking Southern Oregon by Art Bernstein & Victor Harris
100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Oregon Coast & Coast Range by William L. Sullivan
From Sea to Summit: The R.A.D. Guide to Hiking in Curry County, Oregon by the R.A.D. Outdoor Club
A Walking Guide to Oregon’s Ancient Forests by Wendell Wood
Pacific Northwest Hiking by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill
Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill

Contributors

bobcat (creator)