Myrtle Creek Trail,
Smith River National Recreation Area
The Myrtle Creek Trail 1E01 (Myrtle Creek Interpretive Trail) was designated as a Botanical Area to protect its unique environmental features. It is also a site of historical interest because of its mining history. The trail follows a mile-long mining ditch known as the Myrtle Creek Mining Ditch, which was determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Along the trail there are 15 signposts with information interpreting the natural and cultural environment. The trail ends in riparian woodland surrounding a creek bed. The trailhead is marked with a clear signpost on California's highway 199, near the South Fork Road junction, as pictured below. (South Fork Road is also known as the Howland Hill Scenic Drive to Stout Grove.)
This is a dog friendly trail! Please keep in mind, historical artifacts are protected under federal law and collecting is prohibited.
Elevation
The Myrtle Creek Trail has a maximum elevation of 347 ft., a minimum elevation of 195 ft. and an elevation range of 152 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 1.1 mi | 195 ft | 347 ft | 152 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 30 min | 12.8 | 153 ft | 20 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 27 min | 1.7 | 20 ft | 153 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 Myrtle Creek 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 Myrtle Creek 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 Myrtle Creek Trail?
The length of the trail is 1.1 miles (1.7 km) or 2,335 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Myrtle Creek Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 30 minutes in one direction and in 27 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 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.