Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Old Alba Grade via Lost Empire Trail
5.1 mi · ▲ 1,129 ft · 2 hr 16 min
Old Alba Grade via Lost Empire Trail is a 5.1-mile out-and-back in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Bonny Doon, CA. It climbs 1,129 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 13/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Old Alba Grade via Lost Empire Trail
5.1 mi · ▲ 1,129 ft · 2 hr 16 min
Elevation 1,808–2,248 ft
Out & Back · Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Trailhead: Big Ben Trail · 37.07015, -122.12439
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:55 AM · sunset 7:10 PM
No dogs on part of this route · Transit-accessible: Empire Grade & Sunlit Lane stop 227 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Big Ben Trail, heading NE.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Lost Empire Trail, heading NW.
- 2.1 miSharp right onto Old Alba Grade, heading W.
- 0.2 miReach Old Alba Grade, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miSharp left onto Lost Empire Trail (northern access), heading SW.
- 2.1 miSharp right onto Lost Empire Trail, heading E.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Big Ben Trail, heading E.
- 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:50 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:10 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:36 PM.
Good to know
- No dogs on part of this route
- Transit-accessible: Empire Grade & Sunlit Lane stop 227 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Big Ben Trail Trailhead
- Big Ben Tree & Big Ben Trail 4 mi · ▲ 862 ft
- Nichols Pond via Lost Empire Trail 2.7 mi · ▲ 598 ft
- Big Ben Tree–Big Ben Trail, 4 sights 6.2 mi · ▲ 1,457 ft
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