Rellim Ridge Trail

This is a 4.3-mile one-way, point-to-point walk from the Hamilton Road south gate to the north gate off Howland Hill Road. It crosses a wooded ridge, with a sustained climb and occasional openings over Crescent City Harbor. Allow about 2½–3 hours of walking. It is not a loop, so arrange a shuttle or a return plan before setting out.

At the south end, the trail begins just beyond the Hamilton Road gate. The north trailhead is at a locked gate about 0.2 mile beyond the pavement at the west end of Howland Hill Road. No named lot or parking capacity was found for either gate, so confirm where you can leave a vehicle. A 2021 pack-trail brochure lists Hamilton Road access on weekends only; the hiking listing does not clarify whether that note applies to hikers. Check current gate access before relying on a weekday start. Pets are prohibited on park trails.

From Hamilton Road, a short rise and dip lead into a demanding half-mile climb through thick forest. The grade eases before a final push toward the ridge, just under 1,000 feet above sea level. The overall trail is rated moderate, but this climb is the hardest stretch; save some energy for the descent toward the north gate.

Near the top, gaps in the canopy open views over Crescent City Harbor and beyond. Much of the route remains enclosed by mixed forest: alder, spruce, young Douglas-fir, maple and tanoak. The outlooks are occasional breaks in the trees rather than one long open panorama, so pause when the forest opens.

At the north end, Rellim Ridge meets Mill Creek Horse Trail; the gate-to-gate line follows a short shared section to reach Howland Hill Road. This is a point-to-point crossing, separate from the larger Mill Creek horse-trail loop. The ridge is named for the Miller-Rellim timber company, and the second-growth forest reflects the area's logging history.