Leiffer-Ellsworth Loops

Overview

Tucked off Walker Road in the Jedediah Smith unit, these twin loops deliver classic old-growth redwoods without the highway noise or crowds. Plan on roughly 2.3–2.8 miles total depending on how you link the loops and whether you use the short Walker Road connector; expect about an hour on trail. Elevation gain sits in the ~265–331 ft range, with short but noticeable climbs and plenty of roots.

Why hike it

If you want the redwoods’ hush without the bustle of more famous groves, this is your move. You’ll wander from lush lowland alluvial flats with huge trees into a slightly higher hillside where the forest opens just enough to peek back at the flats below. It’s a compact sampler: big character trees, living trunks with fire scars and hollows, nurse logs, massive burls, and quiet benches to linger.

Route and highlights

Access comes from two trailheads on Walker Road (north and south). The northern approach is the scenic pick, rolling through dense, lowland old-growth before the loop junctions. The Leiffer Loop mixes marshy flats and a gentle climb, then follows a disguised old roadbed and a stretch of the historic Crescent City Plank Road route from 1858. The Ellsworth Loop is shorter but punchier, with a “surprising amount of climbing” for its size and nice looks across to the flats. Along the way, watch for fused multi-trunk redwoods, giant stumps, hollow-base trees you can walk between, and signed memorial groves like Dudley Chase Smith and Earhart Putnam.

Forest ecology and seasonal color

You’re walking a multi-layered climax forest: coast redwoods tower above a rich understory of tanoak, maple, hemlock, California bay, salal, sword fern, evergreen huckleberry, deer fern, and oxalis. Spring brings splashes of clintonia, trillium, burning bush, thimbleberry, and red huckleberry blossoms. Lowland sections can host seasonal creeks and soggy ground.

Accessibility and family-friendly notes

The first 0.75 miles between the two Walker Road access points is wheelchair accessible with benches along the way, making it easy to bring a mixed-ability group and still get legitimate old-growth scenery. Past the accessible section, expect typical redwood singletrack with roots and short grades.

Best time to hike

Year-round. Winter and spring are wet—and in places the trail can literally run like a small stream—but that moisture turns the forest electric green and brings wildflowers. Summer and fall are drier and straightforward. For extra solitude, start early; these loops are generally less crowded than nearby options even in peak season.

Logistics and tips

Parking is limited at both Walker Road trailheads, and there’s no suitable space for RVs, camper vans, or trailers. Cell service is spotty—download a map before you go. Note your trailhead; it’s easy to finish at the other one if you’re not paying attention. If you close your figure-8 by walking Walker Road, remember it’s a narrow gravel road shared with vehicles. Stay on the developed trail to protect the delicate forest floor, and leave pets at home—dogs aren’t allowed on these trails.

Bottom line

A serene, varied redwood walk that trades spectacle-and-crowds for texture-and-tranquility. If you’ve done Simpson–Reed, this offers a quieter counterpoint with a dash of history and just enough up-and-down to keep things interesting.