Simpson-Reed Discovery Trail,
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
One of the most popular trails within the Jedediah Smith State Park is the Simpson-Reed Discovery Trail, located directly off highway 199 on Walker Road. Much of this dense rainforest loop trail is covered with giant redwoods as well as hemlock and maple trees covered in moss and lichen. Many of the giant redwoods that have fallen over time lie undisturbed along the damp ground, slowly decaying in pools of water while providing habitat for the many amphibians that live here.
Elevation
The Simpson-Reed Discovery Trail has a maximum elevation of 109 ft., a minimum elevation of 36 ft. and an elevation range of 73 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 0.6 mi | 36 ft | 109 ft | 73 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 15 min | 5.6 | 67 ft | 70 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 16 min | 5.8 | 70 ft | 67 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Simpson-Reed Discovery Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Smith River, CA
- North Topo Map: High Divide, CA
- Northeast Topo Map: High Plateau Mountain, CA
- West Topo Map: Crescent City, CA
- Topo Map: Hiouchi, CA
- East Topo Map: Gasquet, CA
- Southwest Topo Map: Sister Rocks, CA
- South Topo Map: Childs Hill, CA
- Southeast Topo Map: Canthook Mountain, CA
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Simpson-Reed Discovery Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Simpson-Reed Discovery Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.6 miles (1.0 km) or 1,340 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Simpson-Reed Discovery Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 15 minutes in one direction and in 16 minutes in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) may be present in this area. The American dog tick transmits Tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) may be present in this area. The Western blacklegged tick transmits Anaplasmosis and Lyme Disease.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.