Berry Glen Trail

Berry Glen is a 7-mile out-and-back between Elk Meadow and Lady Bird Johnson Grove. It climbs 3.5 miles to the grove, gaining about 1,200 feet, then returns the same way. Allow four to five hours for the climb, a pause at the grove, and the long descent. This is a full uphill hike; the Grove's own nature loop is a separate, shorter outing.

Start at the marked Berry Glen trailhead in Elk Meadow and follow the Davison Trail access to the crossing at U.S. 101. From there the route climbs through redwoods, shifting from younger stands into larger trunks, huckleberry and tall ferns. Small fern openings break up the forest, and the upper slope sometimes opens to wider views through the trees. The west-facing hillside often sits in summer fog. Near the top, about a third of a mile follows the old Bald Hills Road alignment before the trail reaches Lady Bird Johnson Grove below its dedication plaque.

The climb is steady and the park describes it as moderate to strenuous. Turning around at the grove means taking the same grade back down, so budget energy for the descent as well as the ascent. The route crosses U.S. 101 near Berry Glen. At the open fern glades, a person in the frame helps show the size of the surrounding redwoods.

Berry Glen was the site of a Depression-era store and fruit stand run by the Batrel family, known to early highway travelers for homemade berry pies. The trail opened in 2010 with help from the California Conservation Corps. Its upper section follows parts of the original Bald Hills Road, a historic route used by Yurok people, gold seekers and presidents.

Elk Meadow Day Use Area is about three miles north of Orick on U.S. 101; turn onto Davison Road and continue about half a mile to the day-use area. There is ample parking, and the area listing includes restrooms and drinking water. Pets are not allowed on park trails; service animals are allowed.