Mill Creek Trail, California

Mill Creek Trail, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Crescent City, California Mill Creek Trail crosses Howland Hill Road in two places. One of these connects to the Nickerson Ranch Trail to make a loop trail. This page provides information about the other section that follows Mill Creek from Howland Hill Road to the Smith River, a distance of about three miles. It is one of the more popular hikes in this region. At the Smith River, the trail connects to the Hiouchi Trail and, during summer months, a temporary foot bridge makes it possible to cross Mill Creek to the Stout Grove Loop Trail.

Directions

The directions for this trail and other trails in this same area can be obtained from the Redwood Forest Loop Drive. From Crescent City, drive south on Highway 101 to Elk Valley Road. Follow this road for one mile and turn right on Howland Hill Road. Drive about five miles on Howland Hill Road and look for the trailhead for Mill Creek Trail redwood forest near Smith River, Jedediah Smith State Park, Crescent City, California Mill Creek Trail on the left. If you cross the Mill Creek Bridge, the only bridge on Howland Hill Road, you passed the trail, which is located about a tenth of a mile before the bridge.

Trail Description
The trail has a moderate grade as it passes through the redwood forest and next to Mill Creek. At one point the trail goes around a large log that rivals the size of the massive log seen on the Simpson-Reed Loop Trail. After hiking about two and a half miles, the trail forks. The trail to the left goes a short distance and dead ends at a bench. Follow the trail to the right to continue the final half mile of the Mill Creek Trail to a large grove of redwood trees next to Smith River.

In the upper right corner of the map there are two gray, dashed lines indicating seasonal trails that open when temporary bridges are installed over the Smith River and Mill Creek. These bridges are generally set up in early June and taken down in mid September. The black dashed line following the Smith River is the Hiouchi Trail that connects to the Hatton Trail to Simpson Reed Grove.

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Disclaimer: All information in Highway199.org is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, conditions in outdoor settings can change dramatically after storms or fires. For this reason, travelers are advised to check current road conditions before traveling through the area, drive responsibly and take measures to understand safety issues in the region. When participating in outdoor activities, always plan and prepare for safe hiking, swimming or any other activities mentioned in the Highway 199 website. More on disclaimer and copyright...