Saddler Skyline Trail

Saddler Skyline is a 1.5-mile point-to-point trail through second-growth redwoods on a low ridge in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. The marked trailhead is between Mill Creek Campground sites 7 and 8. Its dirt tread climbs and dips on steep grades and switchbacks, so this is a short hike rather than a flat campground stroll. The far junction isn't clearly named in the park's directions. Plan on about an hour each way; walking back on the same trail makes roughly 3 miles and about two hours. The route also connects with Nature Loop and Hobbs-Wall, but confirm those links before counting on a circuit.

The trail crosses a brushy ravine, then winds over a low ridge through second-growth redwoods. Switchbacks break up the steeper hillside sections. This is a good pick if you want a bit of climbing close to camp; the payoff is the wooded route itself, not a named overlook.

Thimbleberry, huckleberry, redwood sorrel, wild ginger, false Solomon's seal and California blackberry grow along the route. Their fruit and cover draw birds, gray squirrels and red foxes, though sightings are never guaranteed.

The trail starts inside seasonal Mill Creek Campground. When the campground gate is closed for winter, the park directs hikers to reach affected trails from U.S. 101, but it doesn't identify a specific safe pull-off; check access before relying on the roadside. The campground has seasonal drinking water and flush toilets. There's no food service on the trail. Pets aren't allowed on park trails.