What is a habitat? Join Sugarloaf docent Marie Kay Hansen through the featured habitat, redwood forest, to explore all it has to offer. Learn what makes redwoods special, from their ability to capture fog as water source and their need for fire during this 2-3 mile hike along Canyon Trail and over to Goodspeed Trail and back. This hike is the third in our four-part ‘Habitats of Sugarloaf’ hike series. The 4th hike will explore the oak woodland habitat.
Meet at the Goodspeed parking lot. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for youth (12-17 year olds), students, Sugarloaf members, Sugarloaf volunteers, and free for children under 12. Wear layers, appropriate footwear for rocky and/or slippery trails, bring at least a quart of water, sun protection, and if desired, a snack. Parking fees apply.
Ease of access: The Goodspeed parking lot is fairly flat although it does not have van-designated parking, restrooms, or potable water sources. It is a single-track dirt trail that descends about 10 feet into a redwood grove and crossing a wooden bowstring bridge with a slope greater than 5°. Lower Canyon trailhead begins about ½ mile up from the park entrance/the Goodspeed parking lot. There are about 10 steps descending into the flat redwood grove along Canyon Trail. The rest of the trail up to the waterfall turn off is dirt, single-track at times, with two narrow wooden bridges, and shaded.
