Grasshopper Peak Trail

The Grasshopper Peak Trail climbs to the highest point in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, reaching an elevation above 3,379 feet and offering rare perspectives of the redwood canopy from above — a view that few visitors ever experience. The ascent is demanding, gaining 3,000 feet over its length through a succession of forest types that transition from coastal redwood in the lower elevations through Douglas fir and tanoak to exposed ridge-top vegetation near the summit. The upper sections emerge from the dense forest canopy, rewarding persistent hikers with sweeping views across the redwood-blanketed ridgelines of the King Range and the Lost Coast. On clear days, the Pacific Ocean glitters on the western horizon. The trail sees far fewer visitors than the valley floor routes, offering genuine solitude and excellent wildlife-watching opportunities including black bears, Roosevelt elk, and numerous raptors riding thermals along the ridge. The strenuous elevation gain demands good fitness and early starts to avoid afternoon heat in summer. Carry plenty of water, as sources are limited on the upper ridge. This is one of the most rewarding wilderness experiences in the northern California redwood region.