Armstrong Redwood Preserve | Northern California

Hiking Armstrong Redwood Preserve - Northern CaliforniaRoadside Attraction Armstrong Redwood Preserve - Northern California Armstrong Redwood Preserve

Northern California

Overview

RATING: Easy/Moderate Hike
MAPS: GUERNEVILLE, CA; CAZADERO, CA

Fri

Rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 58. South wind 5 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

58 | 54

Sat

Rain showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

57 | 48

Sun

Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.

54 | 45

Mon

Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

58 | 48

Tue

Rain and patchy fog. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

58 | 47

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: Available at the visitor center.

Fri

Rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 58. South wind 5 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

58 | 54

Sat

Rain showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

57 | 48

Sun

Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.

54 | 45

Mon

Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

58 | 48

Tue

Rain and patchy fog. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

58 | 47

View Full Weather Details
Ruby and Ryan getting started on the trail.

Ruby and Ryan getting started on the trail.

Tucked between the coast to the west and wine country to the east, Armstrong Redwoods is a beautiful preserve. The preserve was the idea of Colonel James Armstrong in the 1870's when he became aware of the vast scale of redwood logging that was occurring. His vision was continued by his family with Sonoma County purchasing the land to set aside for preservation in 1917. The state now owns and manages the preserve.

The preserve contains trees as old as 1400 years and as tall as 310'. It is a stunning place to visit with trails for all abilities. The beauty of the preserve initially struck me, but also the incredible silence and solitude found away from the central park roads.

Break spot.

Break spot.

Getting There

The preserve is about 30 minutes northwest of Santa Rosa CA or about an hour and a half from San Francisco. Reach the small town of Guernville, along the Russian River, then head north on Armstrong Woods Rd a few minutes to the entrance of the park.

There is no camping in the preserve, but several paid camping area near Guernville, along the Russian River.

The always impressive redwoods.

The always impressive redwoods.

Redwoods!

Redwoods!

Route

The park contains trails for all abilities. The loop shown on the map is my recommendation. It ventures away from the park roads on the East Ridge Trail, then meanders down through the park proper visiting the most significant and oldest trees along the way.

From the park entrance, follow the East Ridge Trail. This trail starts with a steep climb to the ridge. Once on the ridge, the trail meanders north to a junction with the Waterfall Trail. Be sure to head left here, as the trail quickly descends to a waterfall on Fife Creek that may not be flowing in drier seasons.

Below the falls, the trail reaches the picnic area and restrooms. From the picnic area, head south and pick up the Pioneer Nature Trail. At the Icicle Tree, I recommend going right on the Armstrong Nature Trail. This will take you to Colonel Armstrong Redwood, the tallest redwood in the park.

From Colonel Armstrong Redwood, follow the Discovery Trail back to the Pioneer Nature Trail, then right on the Pioneer Nature Trail back to the visitor center parking lot.


Maps

Route / 3.20 miles / Elevation Range 123 - 576 ft.
Printable Maps:

Visitor Center

10S 499754mE 4264898mN

N38° 31' 57" W123° 00' 10"

Jct - Left to Picnic Area

10S 500083mE 4266132mN

N38° 32' 37" W122° 59' 57"

Fife Waterfall

10S 499937mE 4266232mN

N38° 32' 40" W123° 00' 03"

Jct

10S 499604mE 4265565mN

N38° 32' 19" W123° 00' 16"

Icicle Tree

10S 499583mE 4265557mN

N38° 32' 18" W123° 00' 17"

Amstrong Tree

10S 499373mE 4265419mN

N38° 32' 14" W123° 00' 26"

Burbank Circle

10S 499607mE 4265315mN

N38° 32' 11" W123° 00' 16"

Parson Jones Tree

10S 499654mE 4265062mN

N38° 32' 02" W123° 00' 14"

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