Brown Creek Loop

Brown Creek Loop is a 3.4-mile loop from the Brown Creek pullout on Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. It uses South Fork Trail for the climb, follows Rhododendron Trail through two ravines, then returns beside Brown Creek. The distance includes the short approach from the pullout, which you walk back at the end. Allow about two and a half hours for the steep climb and a few stops. Choose it for a change from creekside redwoods to a forest ridge, not for broad views. Pets aren't allowed on park trails except service animals.

The route climbs steeply through dense understory, with the trees limiting views for much of the way. The grade eases near the ridge, where huckleberry and salal line the trail. This is the loop's main effort, so take your time if steep grades are a reason you might skip it.

The Rhododendron leg drops through two ravines; the second is the more scenic stretch. Bright pink and red rhododendron blooms give this trail its name in mid-spring and early summer. A long wooden footbridge over Brown Creek leads into the creekside return. For the loop's best photo, frame the bridge rails with the path and redwoods beyond.

Brown Creek Trail follows the stream through large redwoods, ferns and redwood sorrel before reconnecting to South Fork. Look up the hillside: some of the biggest trunks stand a few yards off the tread. Brown Creek feeds Prairie Creek, which supports native salmon and trout; that's watershed context, not a promise of a fish sighting.

Heading north on Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway from Elk Prairie Visitor Center, pass Big Tree Wayside; the Brown Creek pullout is the second pullout on the right. On the first Saturday of each month from October through May, the parkway closes to vehicles for Hike and Bike, so you can't drive to this pullout that day.