Redwood Trail

Redwood Trail

A mostly downhill trail when accessed from the Visitor Center with natural terrain and exposed tree roots, becoming more uneven toward Creek Trail. The trail leads to a stand of redwoods and giant sequoias near the Wildwood Trail, with access to the Redwood Deck via an additional uphill segment.

 

A wooden trail wayfinding post with a sign screwed in with a red trail marker at the top reading Redwood Trail, and below and arrow to the left points the direction of the Redwood Deck and the Redwood Collection 0.17 miles away, and below that an arrow pointing in the opposite direction is labeled Visitor Center, 0.38 miles away. The post is surrounded by ferns and other understory vegetation.Quick Facts

Surface: Packed dirt/natural surface

Grade: Momentarily up to 25% about 0.08 miles from start

Elevation Gain/Loss: 136 feet starting from the Visitor Center

Length: 0.4 miles

Number of Benches: 3 trailside and 3 on the Redwood Deck

Minimum Trail Width: 36 inches

Other Things to Note: Some parts of the trail are uneven or have up to 3 inch obstacles from tree roots

 

Access the Redwood Trail

The Redwood Trail is most easily accessed from the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center on Fairview Blvd. From the Visitor Center, cross Fairview Blvd at the crosswalk, and take Fir Trail to the left of Stevens Pavilion.

The crosswalk across Fairview Blvd from the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center that leads to a path toward Stevens Pavilion.  The path that leads to Stevens Pavilion with Fir Trail and the connection with the beginning of Redwood Trail to the left.

Fir Trail intersects with Redwood Trail about 50 feet from the start to the right and passes through an open field and tree stumps.

The start of Redwood Trail at the intersection with Fir Trail.  Redwood Trail leading to the Larch Collection and passing though the tree stump rest area.

The trail passes through the Larch Collection, and then continues across Fischer Lane, a small park road with vehicle access. There is a Redwood Trailhead marker across Fischer Ln. at this point marking the correct direction.

Redwood Trail leading to Fischer Ln and the Redwood Trail marker post across the small road. Fischer Lane is a park road and has vehicle access.  The Redwood Trail marker post at the crossing of Fischer Lane.

Follow the trail marker posts at each intersection to stay on Redwood Trail, which intersects with 2 connector trails leading to Bray Lane, the first near the Bamboo Forest, and the second near the Wedding Meadow, Creek Trail at about the halfway point, and Wildwood Trail at the end.

The Redwood Deck

Hoyt Arboretum’s main plantings of coast redwoods and giant sequoias are at the end of the Redwood Trail, about 0.3 miles from the start of the trail near Stevens Pavilion. The Redwood Deck offers views of the grove from above the trail, which can be accessed about 300 feet up Wildwood Trail from where it intersects with Redwood Trail via an uphill segment.

A dirt trail winds through tall trees, leading to a wooden platform (The Redwood Deck) in the above the trail.

Wildwood Trail switchback that leads to the Redwood Deck just passed Redwood Trail.  The entrance to the Redwood Deck from the Wildwood Trail. There is a slight grade and a trail drop off on the right side.

Known Obstacles and Usability

Redwood Trail is a dirt, natural surface with some bumps reaching up to 3 inches from roots along the way. Typical root intrusion along the trail is shown below.

There is significant root intrusion and obstacles on the first connector trail from the Redwood Deck to Bray Lane as shown below.

Significant root intrusion along the connector trail between Redwood Trail and Bray Lane.  The junction at the connector trail and Redwood Trail that leads to Bray Lane.

 

Hoyt Arboretum staff and volunteers work to keep trails clear from overhanging vegetation, watch your head for low branches. Additionally, invasive species like Himalayan blackberry can sometimes extend into the trail, watch your ankles and legs for thorny stems.

Resting Spots

There are 10 picnic tables and resting spots at Stevens Pavilion near the start of Redwood Trail.

Stevens Pavilion- a green roofed picnic pavilion has 10 picnic tables.

About 0.06 miles from the start of Redwood Trail, there is 1 bench in the Larch Collection before reaching Fischer Lane.

A wooden bench seat 2-3 adults along Redwood Trail under a Japanese Larch.

About 0.3 miles from the start of Redwood Trail, there is 1 bench along a connector trail to the right that leads to Bray Lane. This bench is located in the “Jurassic Forest” section of the Arboretum with many “living fossil trees” including China fir, dawn redwood, monkey puzzle, a Wollemi pine, and other trees from ancient lineages.

A wooden bench seat 2-3 adults along a connector trail in the "Jurassic Forest" between Redwood Trail and Bray Lane near the Wedding Meadow.

At the end of Redwood Trail and about 100 feet up Wildwood Trail, there is a bench before the last uphill switchback to the Redwood Deck.

A wooden bench seats 2-3 adults on Wildwood Trail near the intersection with Redwood Trail along the switchback that leads to the Redwood Deck.

There are 3 benches on the Redwood Deck.

A wooden platform with a guardrail, 3 wooden benches, and a tree growing through a hole, surrounded by tall trees.

Questions?

Please reach out to Hoyt Arboretum Friends for more information about trails including accessibility concerns.

[email protected]
503.865.8733

 

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