Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Nichols Pond & Old Alba Grade via Lost Empire Trail
2.9 mi · ▲ 573 ft · 1 hr 15 min
Nichols Pond & Old Alba Grade via Lost Empire Trail is a 2.9-mile out-and-back in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Brookdale, CA. The route reaches Nichols Pond at the turnaround, 1.4 miles in. It climbs 573 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 11/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Nichols Pond & Old Alba Grade via Lost Empire Trail
2.9 mi · ▲ 573 ft · 1 hr 15 min
Elevation 2,078–2,248 ft
Out & Back · Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Trailhead: Old Alba Grade · 37.09348, -122.13331
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:56 AM · sunset 7:10 PM
No dogs on part of this route · Transit-accessible: Pine Flat Road & Empire Grade stop 59 m from the trailhead
- Start on Old Alba Grade, heading SW.
- 0.2 miSharp left onto Lost Empire Trail, heading E.
- 1.1 miTurn right onto Pine Flat Trail, heading SW.
- 0.1 miReach Nichols Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Lost Empire Trail, heading N.
- 1.1 miSharp right onto Old Alba Grade, heading NE.
- 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 1.0 mi in (~33 min). Leave by 6:17 PM for the 7:10 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- No dogs on part of this route
- Transit-accessible: Pine Flat Road & Empire Grade stop 59 m from the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
Get outside more
A wild hike near Brookdale, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Brookdale, California