Take a journey on this “lollipop” loop with Docent Naturalists Nick Yatsko, Catherine Xun, and Nancy Weintraub to discover the remarkable relationship between water and trees in redwood ecosystems, revealing how these ancient stalwarts have survived centuries of changes. Your route will climb along the Upper Pete Siemens Trail through second-growth forests and continue onto Redwood Spring Trail before returning to the Upper Pete Siemens Trail to visit the old-growth redwoods. Note that this moderately-paced hike features approximately 800 feet of elevation gain. Bring a snack for a short break.
Meet at the Alma Parking Area. From Highway 17 take the Bear Creek Road exit, opposite Lexington Reservoir. (From southbound Hwy. 17, exit the highway and go under an overpass; road will curve right to a stop sign at Bear Creek Rd., turn left. From northbound Hwy. 17 exit highway and cross the highway via the overpass on to Bear Creek Rd.) Travel 1.0 mile from Hwy. 17 on Bear Creek Rd., as road curves left there will be a pedestrian crosswalk, turn left into the parking lot immediately after the crosswalk.