Trees of Mystery

At first glance it appears that Northern California’s coastal redwoods are out of reach for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. After all, these majestic giants are located in some pretty remote areas. Granted, many redwood groves present some formidable access barriers; however these three coastal stands offer a nice selection of accessible trails, picnic areas and even camping cabins. So check out these wheelchair-accessible coastal redwoods on your next California road trip

Redwood National Park

Located about 320 miles north of San Francisco, Redwood National Park (emerginghorizons.com/redwood-national-and-state-parks/) tops the list of the Golden State’s wheelchair-accessible coastal redwoods. Although the drive through the park offers some stunning windshield views, the Lost Man Creek Trail is definitely worth a stop. The trail is easy to find — just follow Highway 101 north for about five miles from Orick, and turn on Lost Man Creek Road. The trailhead is about a mile down the road.

There’s accessible parking near the trailhead, next to an accessible vault toilet, with level access over to the trail. This former logging road is wide, level and free of obstacles for the first half-mile. After that the grade becomes steeper and there are rocks and other obstacles along the way, until the last bastions of access are obliterated at the ¾-mile point. Still, it makes a lovely out-and-back one-mile hike.

Additionally, there’s an accessible picnic table on a level dirt pad near the trailhead, so bring along a lunch and enjoy your repast in the shaded grove. It’s the ideal way to top off this very accessible hike.

Trees of Mystery

The Trees of Mystery (www.treesofmystery.net) is another fun stop on Highway 101. It’s located about 25 miles north of the Lost Man Creek Trail, up in Klamath. You can’t miss it, as a giant statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Ox mark the site of the kitschy yet cool roadside attraction.

There’s plenty of accessible parking in the large lot, and barrier-free access over to the gift shop and ticket booth. The main attraction at this site is the Sky Trail, an aerial tramway which takes visitors on a scenic journey through the tree tops. There is a .8-mile trail that leads from the parking lot to the upper Sky Trail station; however it has a steep grade and a substantial cross slope in a few places, so it’s not a good option for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. Alternatively, accessible transportation in a lift-equipped vehicle to the upper Sky Trail station is available for anyone who can’t manage the trail.

There’s ramped access up to the upper Sky Trail station, with roll-on access and plenty of room for a wheelchair in the individual gondola cars. Be sure and stop for a view from the adjacent observation deck before you board though, as the bird’s eye view is magnificent. From the upper Sky Trail station, it’s a seven-minute 1570-foot descent back down to the lower station. And when you get there, treat yourself to some fudge or ice cream, and take time to browse through the gift shop. It’s a fun stop and definitely a unique way to experience the coastal redwoods.

Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park

Last but not least on the list of wheelchair-accessible coastal redwoods is Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=413). This Northern California state park is located about 20 minutes north of Klamath along scenic Highway 199, near Crescent City.

One of the highlights of this park is the accessible Simpson-Reed Discovery Trail, which can be found near the end of Walker Road, off of the main highway. Accessible parking is located next to the accessible vault toilet, near the trailhead. This one-mile loop, passes a number of fallen giants as it weaves through the forest and along the Smith River. It’s a very pleasant — and accessible — stroll.

And if you’d like to spend the night in the park, there are four accessible camping cabins in the campground. Cabins 24, 26, 30 and 105 feature accessible parking with ramp access up to the front porch. They are each furnished with two bunk beds, with a single on top and a double on the bottom. Other cabin features include, electricity, lights, a heater, a raised grill and an accessible picnic table.

Guests need to bring their own bedding, and an air mattress or mattress pad is also recommended. There’s no water in the cabins, but an accessible showerhouse with a roll-in shower is located nearby. It’s a beautiful campground, and the perfect place to top off a visit to California’s wheelchair-accessible coastal redwoods.