Little Basin Reservoir (closed)–East Ridge Trail, 5 sights
6.3 mi · ▲ 1,690 ft · 2 hr 57 min
Little Basin Reservoir (closed)–East Ridge Trail, 5 sights is a 6.3-mile out-and-back in Big Basin Redwoods State Park near Forest Springs, CA. The route reaches Little Basin Reservoir (closed). It climbs 1,690 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade. It scores 69/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Little Basin Reservoir (closed)–East Ridge Trail, 5 sights
6.3 mi · ▲ 1,690 ft · 2 hr 57 min
Elevation 956–1,643 ft
Out & Back · Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Trailhead: Tanbark Loop Trail · 37.15739, -122.20767
Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 87°F / low 56° · precip 0% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:15 PM
No dogs on part of this route · Toilets at the trailhead
- Start on Tanbark Loop Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftPass Little Basin Reservoir (closed).
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Pig Ridge Cutoff, heading W.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Tanbark Loop Trail, heading W.
- 0.4 miBear right, heading N.
- 300 ftTurn left onto Pine Mountain Road, heading NW.
- 0.5 miBear right onto Pine Mountain Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftSharp left onto Pine Mountain Road, heading W.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Blooms Creek Trail, heading N.
- 500 ftTurn right onto East Ridge Trail, heading E.
- 1 miBear right, heading E.
- 250 ftReach Little Basin Reservoir (closed), then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.1 miTurn left onto Blooms Creek Trail, heading W.
- 500 ftTurn left onto Pine Mountain Road, heading W.
- 0.5 miSharp right onto Pine Mountain Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear left onto Pine Mountain Road, heading NW.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 300 ftBear left onto Tanbark Loop Trail, heading NE.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Pig Ridge Cutoff, heading S.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Tanbark Loop Trail, heading SE.
- 0.5 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 1.0 mi in (~32 min). Leave by 7:24 PM for the 8:15 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- No dogs on part of this route
- Toilets at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Tanbark Loop Trail Trailhead
- Buzzards Roost–Little Basin Reservoir (closed), 5 sights 3.5 mi · ▲ 852 ft
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