Fatpacking

Fly, bus or drive into Eureka/Arcata, CA (ACV). We will pick you up at the airport when you arrive.

Check into Howard Johnson Express Arcata, 4700 Valley West, Arcata, CA 95521 , 707-826-9660

Equipment shakedown. We go through your pack and examine everything you brought.

Trip to Arcata for last minute forgotten items. Possible destinations:

• Outdoor Store, Arcata
• Northern Mountain Supply, Eureka
• Adventure's Edge, Eureka

Trail mix distribution

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go out to dinner

"Before" measurements taken

Free breakfast in Hotel

Cars can be left at Hotel. Hotel assumes no responsibility for them however and will have you sign a document saying so.

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and placed in storage

Shuttle to Redwood National Park with at stop at the ranger station in Orick, CA (1 hour or so)

Shuttle to Dolasson Prairie Trailhead on Bald Hills Rd.

Begin Hiking at Dolasson Prairie, elevation 2200'

Hike 7.0 downhill miles to Redwood Creek

Set up camp at Redwood Creek, elevation 100'

Miles today: 7.0 miles. Total to Date: 7.0 Miles

Swimming possible in Redwood Creek

Bailout: Bald Hills Rd.

Hike 1.0 miles down Redwood Creek past the Tall Trees Grove. You will need water shoes for the several creek crossings

Day-hike 1.0 mile around the Tall Trees Grove

Hike 6.2 miles to Redwood Creek footbridge, Elevation 100'

Camp at Elam Camp or on Redwood Creek gravel bed, Elevation 100'

Mileage Today: 8.2. Total mileage: 15.2

Possible bailout: Bald Hills Rd.

Hike 2.0 miles down Redwood Creek to Bald Hills Rd.

Hike about 1.0 miles along US-101 to the Skunk Cabbage Trail

Hike 4.7 miles on the Skunk Cabbage Trail to the Pacific Ocean, elevation Sea Level

Hike 1.1 beach miles to Davidson Rd. in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, elevation Sea Level

Hike 2.0 miles along Davidson Rd. / Gold Bluffs to Miner's Ridge Campsite, elevation Sea Level

Camp at Miner's Ridge, Prairie Creek Redwoods SP, elevation Sea Level

Note: Miner's Ridge is first come first serve, so it's possible we'll camp at Gold Bluffs or the Environmental Camp

10.7 miles today. Total to Date: 25.9

Bailout: US-101.

Hike 5.2 miles on Miner's Ridge Trail to Elk Prairie front country Campground

Day hiking opportunities available

Camp at Elk Prairie frontcountry campground (Site numbers 025) complete with ranger station, ranger talks, and bathhouse with running water and coin-op showers.

Mileage Today: 5.2. Total mileage: 31.1

Possible bailout: Elk Prairie Campground

Day-Hike (no pack) 14.8 miles on Rhododendron Trail and Prairie Creek Trail, max elevation 800'

Shorter day hiking loops available

Camp at Elk Prairie frontcountry campground (Site number 025) complete with ranger station, ranger talks, and bathhouse with running water and coin-op showers.

Mileage Today: 14.8. Total mileage: 45.9

Possible bailout: Elk Prairie Campground

Hike 5.2 miles on the James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon

Hike 0.5 miles through Fern Canyon to Coastal Trail, elevation Sea Level

Hike 2.7 miles To Butler Creek

Mileage Today: 8.4. Total to Date: 54.3

Camp at Ossagon Rocks Campground

Bailout: Newton Drury Scenic Drive

Hike 1.8 beach miles past Carruther's Cove, up a short but steep hill to Coastal Drive, elevation 600'

End of hiking

Mileage Today: 1.8. Total mileage: 56.1

Possible bailout: Coastal Drive

Shuttle bus takes us to Howard Johnson Express Arcata, 4700 Valley West, Arcata, CA 95521 , 707-826-9660

"After" body composition measurements taken

Go out for authentic Finnish hot tubbing and Espresso at Cafe Mokka, Arcata

Dinner at Six Rivers Brewery and Awards Ceremony

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.

Free Hotel Breakfast

Airport Drop