Wildlife, Waterfalls, Wilderness on Gold Bluffs Beach

Wildlife watching, waterfalls and a wilderness beach are just a few of the highlights of a hike along the northern reaches of Gold Bluffs Beach in Redwood National Park. Just one of its en-route attractions makes a compelling hike on the Coastal Trail, so the prospect of so many engaging environments can put a hiker into sensory overload before even reaching the trail head.

Gold Bluffs Beach (both bluffs and beach) is prime territory of Roosevelt elk, the enchanting-looking creatures with chocolate-brown faces and necks, tan bodies and dark legs. And they’re big: A bull can tip the scales at 1,000 pounds.

While nearby elk-viewing opportunities abound--particularly along more southerly stretches of Gold Bluffs Beach and on namesake Elk Prairie north by U.S. 101 and the Prairie Creek visitor center--the Roosevelts seem more majestic in a wilderness setting.

Waterfalls near the coast are a rarity, so having three of them near the Coastal Trail is a special treat. Gold Dust Falls, a long, slender tumbler, spills about 80 feet to the forest floor. An unnamed waterfall is just south of Gold Dust, another just north.

Although the journey overshadows the destination on this hike, the odd Ossagon Rocks at hike’s end are intriguing in their own way. The rocks resemble sea stacks, though they’re positioned right at land’s end and not offshore, as is more common.

This is a trail worth repeating, so you won’t mind retracing your steps to the trail head. However, if you want to extend the adventure, you can loop back from Butler Creek Camp onto the state park’s bluffs and return via Friendship Ridge.

Directions to trail head: From U.S. 101 in Orick, drive two miles north to signed Davison Road. Turn left (west) and proceed seven miles to road’s end at the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Fern Canyon trail head.

The hike: Coastal Trail begins on the other side of Home Creek, which is easy to ford in summer but may be a challenge during the rainy season. Usually a signpost on the north side of the creek shows the way to the start of Coastal Trail.

Join the path for a brief meander through the forest and then across the grass-topped dunes. Coastal Trail is bordered by high bluffs on its inland side and by the mighty Pacific on its coastal side. The hiker is often out of sight of the surf but never beyond earshot of its thunderous roll, even when the trail strays 0.1 mile inland.

A mile out, the sound of falling water and an unsigned path forking right into the forest call you to Coastal Trail’s first cascade, a long, wispy waterfall framed by ferns.

Another 0.25 mile along the main path brings you to the short connector trail leading to Gold Dust Falls. A well-placed bench offers repose and a place to contemplate the inspiring cataract.

A minute or so more down the main trail brings you to another brief spur trail and the third of Coastal Trail’s cascades.

Coastal Trail edges from prairie to forest and reaches Butler Creek Camp, a hike-in retreat at 2.25 miles. The small camp is at a convergence of environments--creek-side alder woodland, a prairie matted with head-high native grasses, the creek mouth and the beach beyond.

Cross Butler Creek and travel the grassy sand verbena-topped prairie for a final 0.5 mile to cross Ossagon Creek and junction with Ossagon Trail. Continue on Coastal Trail a bit farther north, then say goodbye to the path and head toward the ocean to Ossagon Rocks.

John McKinney is the author of “Day Hiker’s Guide to California’s State Parks” (Olympus Press, $14.95).

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Coastal Trails WHERE: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

DISTANCE: From Fern Canyon to Gold Dust Falls is 2 miles round trip; to Butler Creek Trail Camp is 4.5 miles round trip; to Ossagon Rocks is 6 miles round trip.

TERRAIN: Driftwood-littered shore, backed by extensive dunes.

HIGHLIGHTS: Waterfalls, redwoods, Roosevelt elk watching, fabulous length of coastal trail.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Redwood National and State Parks; tel. (707) 464-6101.