Big Basin Redwoods State Park

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

0 mi955 – 1,644 ft · steepest grade: 21%6.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Tanbark Loop Trail 37.15739, -122.20767
Nearest town Forest Springs, CA

Directions

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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

  1. Start on Tanbark Loop Trail, heading SW.
  2. 50 ftPass Little Basin Reservoir (closed).
  3. 0.5 miTurn right onto Pig Ridge Cutoff, heading W.
  4. 150 ftContinue straight onto Tanbark Loop Trail, heading W.
  5. 0.4 miBear right, heading N.
  6. 300 ftTurn left onto Pine Mountain Road, heading NW.
  7. 0.5 miBear right onto Pine Mountain Trail, heading NW.
  8. 50 ftSharp left onto Pine Mountain Road, heading W.
  9. 0.5 miTurn right onto Blooms Creek Trail, heading N.
  10. 500 ftTurn right onto East Ridge Trail, heading E.
  11. 1 miBear right, heading E.
  12. 250 ftReach Little Basin Reservoir (closed), then turn around and head back the way you came.
  13. 1.1 miTurn left onto Blooms Creek Trail, heading W.
  14. 500 ftTurn left onto Pine Mountain Road, heading W.
  15. 0.5 miSharp right onto Pine Mountain Trail, heading NW.
  16. 50 ftBear left onto Pine Mountain Road, heading NW.
  17. 0.5 miTurn right, heading SE.
  18. 300 ftBear left onto Tanbark Loop Trail, heading NE.
  19. 0.4 miContinue straight onto Pig Ridge Cutoff, heading S.
  20. 150 ftTurn left onto Tanbark Loop Trail, heading SE.
  21. 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

1% dirt99% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 87°F56°
Precip0%Wind6 mphUV8Humidity55%
Hourly temperature
90°55°
Sunrise 6:16 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:15 PM
Tue 83°56°
Wed 81°51°
Thu 82°52°
Fri 91°62°
Sat 87°57°
Sun 79°51°

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.

More sunset hikes nearby

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