AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Nichols Pond via Lost Empire Trail

2.7 mi · ▲ 598 ft · 1 hr 12 min

Nichols Pond via Lost Empire Trail is a 2.7-mile out-and-back in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Bonny Doon, CA. The route reaches Nichols Pond at the turnaround, 1.4 miles in. It climbs 598 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 12/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,808 – 2,215 ft · steepest grade: 16%2.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Big Ben Trail 37.07015, -122.12439
Nearest town Bonny Doon, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Nichols Pond via Lost Empire Trail

2.7 mi · ▲ 598 ft · 1 hr 12 min

Elevation 1,808–2,215 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

Horses allowed on the whole route · No dogs on part of this route · Transit-accessible: Empire Grade & Sunlit Lane stop 227 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Big Ben Trail, heading NE.
  2. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Lost Empire Trail, heading NW.
  3. 1 miTurn left onto Pine Flat Trail, heading SW.
  4. 0.1 miReach Nichols Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  5. 0.1 miTurn right onto Lost Empire Trail, heading NE.
  6. 1 miContinue straight onto Big Ben Trail, heading SE.
  7. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/nichols-pond-nichols-pond-out-back-4-km-8301

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 6:55 AMSunset 7:10 PM

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.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Horses allowed on the whole route
  • No dogs on part of this route
  • Transit-accessible: Empire Grade & Sunlit Lane stop 227 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Big Ben Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Bonny Doon, California