Читать книгу California Coastal Access Guide, Seventh Edition - California Coastal Commission - Страница 11
ОглавлениеDEL NORTE COUNTY
Map
Crescent Beach to Lagoon Creek
Photos
Del Norte County features 42 miles of ocean coastline, with broad sandy beaches, dunes, lakes, forest, and mountains. California’s largest rivers, after the Sacramento-San Joaquin system, reach the sea in Del Norte County.
Experience a wild and scenic river
The Smith River has never been dammed. It flows unimpeded from the mountains of the Coast Range through forests and across a broad coastal plain to the sea in northern Del Norte County. The clean waters and absence of dams has made the Smith River a significant fishing stream. The state’s record steelhead, weighing 27 pounds 4 ounces, was caught in the Smith River. King salmon also inhabit the river, and coastal cutthroat trout are taken during the summer. Kayaking on the Smith River is a popular activity.
Smith River County Park in northern Del Norte County
The Klamath River, somewhat larger than the Smith, is also a popular recreational resource. Fishing guide services are available at the town of Klamath, along with jet boat tours and river rafting excursions. The power of the Klamath was demonstrated by the disastrous flood of December 1964, which swept away the old townsite of Klamath, as well as the 1926 Douglas Memorial Bridge on Hwy. 101. Only the southern terminus of the bridge, on Klamath Beach Dr., remains. It serves as a lookout point, flanked by statues of two golden bears. Following the great flood, the “new town” of Klamath was established on higher ground east of Hwy. 101 and today is a small residential community and fishing resort, as well as home of the Yurok Tribe headquarters. The Yurok reservation extends 43 miles upstream from the river mouth, one mile on each side, although not all lands are under tribal control.
Go beachcombing
Del Norte County boasts miles of unspoiled beaches. Pelican State Beach and Tolowa Dunes State Park are wide, seemingly endless, and enhanced with driftwood and views of offshore rocks. South of Crescent City, much of the coast is steep, rugged, and forested. Remote cove beaches in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and Redwood National Park are reachable by trail only.
Camp in the forest
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park offers family camping in a campground with amenities as well as more primitive sites for hike-in, bike-in, or equestrian use. Although camping in a redwood grove is available at a number of northern California sites, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park has an additional plus, the crystal clear Smith River. A lovely sand and cobble river beach is a stone’s throw from the state park campground. In and around Crescent City and at Klamath are numerous campgrounds and RV parks.
Visit a lighthouse
Del Norte County is home to two of California’s most dramatic lighthouses, both sited offshore. Crescent Lighthouse at Battery Point is relatively easy to get to, nevertheless. Tide permitting, the island can be reached by a short walk across the rocky beach and causeway. Built in 1856, the lighthouse is one of California’s earliest.
Crescent Lighthouse at Battery Point, offshore Crescent City
On a clear day, St. George Reef Lighthouse is visible offshore, some seven miles from Crescent City and four miles from the mainland. A visit to the St. George Reef Lighthouse, which has not been in service since 1975, is a more challenging adventure. A tour by helicopter is required; call: 707-464-7846. On St. George Reef, the lighthouse is perched on a rock barely larger than the light station itself. Its construction in its remote, wave-swept location required a tremendous effort following the wreck of the Brother Jonathan in 1865. In California’s worst maritime disaster, the Brother Jonathan struck uncharted rocks west of Crescent City and went down with the loss of 225 lives. Nineteen people reached shore in one of the lifeboats. In 1993 the sunken ship was found, and items from the ship were recovered; some may be seen at the Del Norte County Historical Society Museum at 577 H St. in Crescent City.
Other attractions
The Del Norte County Historical Society Museum has a splendid collection of Tolowa and Yurok Native American baskets along with other artifacts. Also on display is the first-order Fresnel lens that was once installed at the St. George Reef Lighthouse, as well as photographs from the aftermath of the 1964 tsunami that devastated Crescent City. Open 10 AM–4 PM, Mon.–Sat. from May to Sept. and fewer days during the winter; call: 707-464-3922.
Sixteen miles south of Crescent City along Hwy. 101 is a long-time roadside attraction, Trees of Mystery. The site is marked by a giant statue of Paul Bunyan with Babe the Blue Ox. Activities include gondola rides through the redwood forest canopy; call: 1-800-638-3389. Zipline rides through the redwood forest are available at a number of other locations in the county.
The annual Crescent City Triathlon includes a swim at Fred Endert Pool, a bike ride along the city’s shoreline, and a run around Beach Front Park, with adult and kids’ divisions; see: www.crescentcitytriathlon.com. Ocean World Aquarium, 304 S. Hwy. 101 in Crescent City, includes displays of undersea creatures, a touch tank, sea lion performances, and an opportunity to pet a live shark; call: 707-464-4900.
The community of Smith River is home to the Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery, which is open to visitors on weekdays, 9 AM–4 PM; for a current schedule of spawning activities, call: 707-487-3443. Smith River is also the center of Easter lily agriculture. Nearly all the nation’s Easter lily bulbs, grown for forced bloom in spring, are raised here. The bulbs bloom naturally in summer, and the town has an annual Easter in July festival. For information on area attractions, visit the Crescent City-Del Norte Chamber of Commerce at Front and K streets in Crescent City, open daily, 9 AM–5 PM (weekdays only during winter), or call: 707-464-3174.
Smith River near campground in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Del Norte County
Northern Del Norte County
PELICAN STATE BEACH: W. of Hwy. 101, .5 mi. S. of the Oregon border. Wide beach with abundant driftwood. From Hwy. 101, turn west on White Rock Loop; park on gravel road shoulder.
▪ Beachcombing
▪ Surf fishing
CLIFFORD KAMPH MEMORIAL PARK: W. of Hwy. 101, 2 mi. S. of the Oregon border. On a bluff overlooking the beach are a dozen campsites for tents only. Running water, picnic tables, barbecue grills, camp host. No fee for day use. Call: 707-464-7230.
SMITH RIVER COUNTY PARK: End, Mouth of Smith River Rd., Smith River. Stairs to a sand and pebble beach; on-street parking. The clear waters of the Smith River support many fish species, including coho and king salmon and steelhead trout.
▪ Expansive views upstream and out to sea
SMITH RIVER BOATING ACCESS: Fred Haight Dr. W. of Hwy. 101, 3 mi. S. of town of Smith River. Paved boat ramp, located between private residences, offers access to the lower reach of the Smith River.
KELLOGG BEACH: W. end of Kellogg Rd., 9 mi. S. of Smith River. A broad sandy ocean beach backed by grass-covered dunes. Street-legal vehicles allowed north of Kellogg Rd., on waveslope only; no vehicles allowed in dunes.
LAKE EARL WILDLIFE AREA/TOLOWA DUNES STATE PARK: W. of Lake Earl Dr. and Lower Lake Rd., 2 mi. N. of Crescent City. The wildlife area/state park complex includes over 10,000 acres. The Department of Fish and Wildlife center at 2591 Old Mill Rd., off Northcrest Dr., has trail maps and posted information. For Lake Earl Wildlife Area information, call: 707-445-6493. For information on Tolowa Dunes State Park, call Redwood National and State Parks visitor center: 707-465-7306. Leashed dogs are allowed on Cadra Point Loop Rd. only.
▪ Cadra Loop Trail, four miles long, starts at the Fish and Wildlife center and overlooks Lake Earl
▪ Trails to ocean beach start at end of Sand Hill Rd., off Old Mill Road
▪ Access to Lake Earl west of Teal Point via Kellogg Road
▪ Launch site for shallow-draft boats at the end of Lakeview Dr., off Lake Earl Drive
▪ Redwood Parks Association leads summertime field trips and guided hikes; call: 707-465-6191
POINT ST. GEORGE HERITAGE AREA: End of Radio Road. At the end of Radio Rd., which is the northerly extension of Pebble Beach Dr., a gravel trail leads north one-quarter mile to the shoreline. Low tide exposes a rocky reef. Other short paths lead from Radio Rd. across the bluff to the shore. Sensitive archaeological area; be respectful of the resources. For information, call Del Norte County Parks and Recreation: 707-464-7230.
Del Norte County
Smith River Area
RUBY VAN DEVENTER COUNTY PARK: North Bank Rd. (Hwy. 197), 2.5 mi. E. of Hwy. 101. Campground with 18 sites set in a redwood forest next to the Smith River. Restrooms and running water; fee for camping. Call: 707-464-7230.
▪ Swimming
▪ Kayaking
▪ Fishing
FLORENCE KELLER COUNTY PARK: Cunningham Ln., off Elk Valley Cross Rd. W. of Hwy. 101, 3 mi. N. of Crescent City. Campground has 50 campsites and accommodates tents and RVs up to 32 feet; running water available. Group picnic sites also available. Easy walking trails, one wheelchair accessible. Call: 707-464-7230.
JEDEDIAH SMITH REDWOODS STATE PARK: Hwy. 199, 5 mi. E. of Hwy. 101. The park encompasses some 10,000 acres, with six miles of Smith River frontage. In summer, daytime temperatures are often considerably warmer than at the nearby coast.
Redwood National and State Parks visitor center is opposite the campground entrance on Hwy. 199. A smaller visitor center is within the campground. Picnic areas overlook the river and a pebbly beach. Some park facilities are wheelchair accessible, including picnic areas, some campsites, the visitor center, and campfire center. Leashed dogs OK in the campground and picnic area. For park information, call: 707-465-7335.
Campground has 89 sites; hot showers available. Some campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs up to 36 feet; no hookups. To reserve campsites, call: 1-800-444-7275. Primitive campsites for hike-in, bike-in, or equestrian use are outside park boundaries along Little Bald Hills Trail.
▪ Hiking
▪ Self-guided nature trail starts near the campground
▪ Stout Grove, with old-growth redwood trees up to 340 feet in height, located one-half mile by trail from gravel Howland Hill Road
SMITH RIVER NATIONAL RECREATION AREA: Hwy. 199, 14 mi. E. of Hwy. 101. Adjoining Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park on the east is Smith River National Recreation Area with river frontage and over 65 miles of trails. Fee for camping. Dogs must be leashed within developed recreation areas. For the visitor center and ranger station, call: 707-457-3131.
▪ River rafting
▪ Mountain biking
▪ Hiking
▪ Myrtle Creek Trail starts at Hwy. 199 one mile east of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park boundary
▪ Campgrounds at Big Flat, Grassy Flat, Panther Flat, and Patrick Creek; for reservable sites, call: 877-444-6777
Del Norte County
Crescent City
GARTH’S BEACH: Radio Rd., .3 mi. N.W. of Washington Blvd./Pebble Beach Dr. intersection. A sloping path leads from roadside parking to a curving sandy beach. Additional parking pull-outs with beach access located south of Washington Boulevard. Beach is sheltered by Point St. George and Castle Rock.
▪ Rocky shore at north end
PEBBLE BEACH ACCESS: Pebble Beach Dr. near Pacific Ave., Crescent City. Along Pebble Beach Dr. are several pull-outs with picnic tables and stairways to the beach. The Crescent City Coastal Trail runs along the shoreline, from Point St. George to Crescent City Harbor. Castle Rock, located due west, is a national wildlife refuge and the second largest seabird colony off the California coast.
PRESTON ISLAND: Pebble Beach Dr. and Condor St., Crescent City. More of a rocky spit than an island; accessible via a paved road down the bluff face.
▪ Beachcombing
▪ Tidepool exploring
▪ Fishing
BROTHER JONATHAN PARK/VISTA POINT: Pebble Beach Dr. and 9th St., Crescent City. Grassy park inland of Pebble Beach Dr. includes a playground and baseball and basketball facilities, as well as a memorial to those lost at sea in the 1865 shipwreck of the steamer Brother Jonathan. On the seaward side of Pebble Beach Dr. is a vista point with picnic tables and bench.
▪ Del Norte County Historical Society Museum at 577 H St. in Crescent City displays items recovered from the wreck of the Brother Jonathan
ACCESSWAYS AT THE ENDS OF 3RD, 5TH, AND 6TH STREETS: W. ends of 3rd, 5th, and 6th streets, Crescent City. Rocky beach can be reached by paths or stairways. There is parking at 3rd and 5th streets; no facilities.
PATH AT OCEANFRONT LODGE: Front and A streets, Crescent City. A short public path leads around the seaward side of the hotel to a narrow driftwood-strewn beach.
▪ Fine views of offshore rocks
▪ Excellent spot for taking sunset photos of Crescent Lighthouse at Battery Point
Del Norte County
Crescent City Harbor
CRESCENT LIGHTHOUSE AT BATTERY POINT: S. end of A St., Crescent City. The lighthouse is perched about 200 yards from shore and can be reached on foot only via a causeway at low tide. Open at 10 AM, tide permitting, daily from April–September and weekends from October–March; for specific tour hours, call: 707-464-3089. On a clear day, St. George Reef Lighthouse is visible some seven miles offshore. Picnic tables and rest-rooms at Battery Point Vista Area at foot of A Street.
NORTH COAST MARINE MAMMAL CENTER: 424 Howe Dr., Beach Front Park, Crescent City. Rescue and rehabilitation service for injured, orphaned, or sick marine mammals; gift shop. Call: 707-465-6265.
▪ When present for rehabilitation, harbor seals or sea lions may be viewed
B STREET PIER: Foot of B Street. Public fishing pier is 900 feet long. Parking and rest-rooms at the foot of A Street.
BEACH FRONT PARK: Between Front St. and Howe Dr., Crescent City. Sports fields, picnic areas, and huge lawns. Along Howe Dr. is a linear park along a sandy beach, incorporating the Crescent City Coastal Trail.
▪ Fred Endert indoor swimming pool with water slide at 1000 Play St.; fee charged
▪ Huge Kid Town play structure on Play Street
REDWOOD NATIONAL & STATE PARKS INFORMATION CENTER: 1111 2nd St., Crescent City. Maps, guidebooks, and information about Redwood National Park and area state parks. Open daily, 9 AM–5 PM, with shorter hours during winter; closed major holidays. Call: 707-465-7306.
CRESCENT CITY COASTAL TRAIL: Shoreline from Point St. George to Crescent City Harbor, Crescent City. Six-mile-long multi-use path extends the length of Crescent City. Good place to start is at parking area on Sunset Circle next to the Shoreline Campground entrance.
▪ Shoreline Campground has 189 RV/trailer campsites with hookups and also tent sites; call: 707-464-2473
▪ Elk Creek Nature Trail starts nearby, inland of Hwy. 101 at east end of 2nd Street
CRESCENT CITY HARBOR: W. of Hwy. 101 and Citizens Dock Rd., Crescent City. Both a working and a recreational harbor, Crescent City Harbor includes fishing facilities, marine services, boat repair services, boat hoist, fuel dock, ice, and a Coast Guard station. Fee applies for some services. Harbor District office is on Citizens Dock Rd.; call: 707-464-6174.
Off Anchor Way are a public two-lane boat ramp and access to Whaler Island, with panoramic views. A variety of visitor attractions are at the harbor.
▪ South Beach Outfitters has surfboards, kites, and rentals
▪ Charter boat fishing for salmon and rock cod on the Tally Ho II; call: 707-464-1236
▪ Bayside RV Park (707-464-9482) and Harbor RV Anchorage (707-464-1724) are within the harbor
Del Norte County
Crescent Beach to Lagoon Creek
CRESCENT BEACH: W. of Hwy. 101, 1 mi. S. of Crescent City. Very long, flat sandy beach. The end closest to Crescent City Harbor is a well-known surf break. Road-side parking.
CRESCENT BEACH PICNIC AREA: Enderts Beach Rd., .5 mi. S. of Hwy. 101. Picnic tables and barbecue pits set in a grassy area. Another picnic area is at the Crescent Beach Overlook at the south end of Enderts Beach Road.
▪ Crescent Beach Picnic Area and Crescent Beach Overlook are linked by a two-mile trail
▪ Last Chance Trail, part of the Coastal Trail, continues south from Crescent Beach Overlook
NICKEL CREEK CAMPGROUND: .5 mi. S. of end of Enderts Beach Road. Five primitive campsites overlook Enderts Beach; picnic tables, barbecue grills, and bear lockers. Stream water must be purified for drinking. Call: 707-465-7335.
ENDERTS BEACH: .5 mi. S. of end of Enderts Beach Rd., S. of Crescent City. Beach accessible via a somewhat steep trail from the end of Enderts Beach Road. Restrooms are at Nickel Creek Campground. Call: 707-465-7335.
MILL CREEK CAMPGROUND: 2.5 mi. E. of Hwy. 101, 7 mi. S. of Crescent City. There are 143 summer-only campsites. Hot showers. Trailers limited to 27 feet and RVs limited to 31 feet; RV dump station available. No hookups. Part of Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. For campground information, call: 707-465-7335; for reservations, call: 1-800-444-7275.
▪ Campfire center
▪ Junior ranger programs
▪ Guided walks
▪ Hike or bike campsites (no reservations)
DEL NORTE COAST REDWOODS STATE PARK: E. and W. of Hwy. 101, 7 mi. S. of Crescent City. One of California’s largest state parks, with eight miles of wild shoreline, much of it accessible only by trails, and 25,000 acres in the Mill Creek watershed. Atypical of California’s coastal forest, the redwood trees here grow virtually down to the sea’s edge. Call: 707-465-7335.
▪ Damnation Creek Trail starts on west side of Hwy. 101 at mile marker 16 and takes a challenging course through old-growth redwoods
▪ Mill Creek day use area, east side of Hwy. 101, two miles south of Crescent City
WILSON CREEK BEACH: W. of Hwy. 101, 5.5 mi. N. of Klamath. Entrance to the parking area is off Hwy. 101, 50 yards south of Wilson Creek Bridge. On the beach are tidepools and abundant driftwood. At the south end of the beach the Yurok Loop Trail leads south to Lagoon Creek. Across Hwy. 101 from Wilson Creek Beach, the old Redwood National Park Hostel is closed, but a trail leads inland three miles to the DeMartin campsites; obtain required backcountry camping permit from any Redwood National Park visitor center.
LAGOON CREEK: W. of Hwy. 101, 5 mi. N. of Klamath. Freshwater lagoon, with picnic areas and trail access.
▪ Coastal Trail leads south four miles to the Klamath Overlook
Del Norte County
Klamath River South
KLAMATH OVERLOOK: 2.5 mi. W. of Hwy. 101 on Requa Rd./Patrick Murphy Memorial Drive. Picnic spot with elevated view of the Klamath River mouth.
▪ Four-mile-long Coastal Trail segment leads north to Lagoon Creek
▪ Gray whales may be seen during migration, November–early May
REQUA: Hwy. 101, 18.5 mi. S. of Crescent City. Requa has been inhabited for thousands of years. A large Yurok Indian village named Re’kwoi was located here until the residents were driven out by white settlers in the 1850s. The hamlet is now within the Yurok reservation.
▪ Historic Requa Inn, a century-old lodging establishment on Requa Rd.; call: 707-482-1425
KLAMATH RIVER: Hwy. 101, 19 mi. S. of Crescent City. California’s second-largest river.
▪ On the north bank, Yurok-owned Requa Resort RV Park is at the end of Mouth of Klamath Rd., off Requa Rd.; call: 707-482-1309
▪ On the south bank along Klamath Beach Rd., privately operated Klamath River RV Park (707-482-2091) and Kamp Klamath (707-482-0227)
▪ Klamath Beach Rd. leads along the river delta, with informal access to the beach
FLINT RIDGE CAMPGROUND: 1 mi. S. of Klamath River mouth off Coastal Drive. Hike-in primitive campground, one-quarter mile inland from Coastal Drive. Ten well-spaced campsites, each with picnic table, barbecue grill, and bear locker. No-fee permit required for back-country camping; inquire at any Redwood National Park visitor center. The Flint Ridge Trail connects the Flint Ridge Campground with the Klamath River near the old Douglas Memorial Bridge site on Klamath Beach Rd. at Alder Camp Rd., a distance of four-and-a-half miles. The Douglas Memorial Bridge was swept away in the disastrous flood of December 1964.
COASTAL TRAIL: S. of Klamath River mouth to Newton B. Drury Parkway. Coastal Drive was formerly an eight-mile narrow unpaved road; now most of it serves as a segment of the California Coastal Trail, with vehicles restricted to the north and south ends. RVs and trailers are prohibited. The route is perched high above the sea, with spectacular views.
▪ A pull-out on Coastal Drive one-half mile south of the Flint Ridge Trailhead overlooks an abandoned World War II-era radar station that was disguised as a farmhouse
▪ High Bluff Overlook at the end of Alder Camp Rd. has a picnic area and restrooms
▪ On the southern end of Coastal Drive, one mile off Newton B. Drury Parkway, a trail leads to Carruthers Cove
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
View from Brother Jonathan Vista Point
Crescent City Harbor, south side
Klamath River mouth, south bank
