Mendocino Headlands State Park
Big River Road–Dry Dock, 4 sights
13 mi · ▲ 2,083 ft · 5 hr 22 min
Big River Road–Dry Dock, 4 sights is a 13-mile out-and-back in Mendocino Headlands State Park near Mendocino, CA. It climbs 2,083 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 62/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Big River Road–Dry Dock, 4 sights
13 mi · ▲ 2,083 ft · 5 hr 22 min
Elevation 11–787 ft
Out & Back · Mendocino Headlands State Park
Trailhead: Pole Line Trail · 39.31354, -123.74431
Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:47 AM · sunset 7:43 PM
Bikes allowed on the whole route
- Start on Pole Line Trail, heading S.
- 1.8 miSharp left onto Big River Road, heading NW.
- 1 miBear left onto Dry Dock, heading E.
- 1.3 miBear right onto High Chutes Road, heading E.
- 2.4 miReach Pole Line Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 2.4 miBear left onto Dry Dock, heading NW.
- 1.3 miBear right onto Big River Road, heading SW.
- 1 miSharp right onto Pole Line Trail, heading W.
- 1.8 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 7:23 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:43 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 8:10 PM.
Good to know
- Bikes allowed on the whole route
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Pole Line Trail Trailhead
- Big River & Ames Lodge Trail via Big River Road 3.4 mi · ▲ 547 ft
- Pole Line Trail via Big River Road 3.7 mi · ▲ 545 ft
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