Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Big Ben Tree & Nichols Pond via Lost Empire Trail
2.9 mi · ▲ 608 ft · 1 hr 16 min
Big Ben Tree & Nichols Pond via Lost Empire Trail is a 2.9-mile out-and-back in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Brookdale, CA. The route passes Nichols Pond before reaching Big Ben Tree at the turnaround, 1.4 miles in. It climbs 608 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 12/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Big Ben Tree & Nichols Pond via Lost Empire Trail
2.9 mi · ▲ 608 ft · 1 hr 16 min
Elevation 1,808–2,215 ft
Out & Back · Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Trailhead: Pine Flat Trail · 37.07908, -122.13371
Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 84°F / low 64° · precip 0% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:15 PM
Horses allowed on the whole route · No dogs on part of this route · Transit-accessible: Pine Flat Road & Empire Grade stop 59 m from the trailhead
- Start on Pine Flat Trail, heading E.
- 50 ftPass Nichols Pond.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Lost Empire Trail, heading E.
- 1.3 miReach Big Ben Tree, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.3 miTurn left onto Pine Flat Trail, heading SW.
- 0.1 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 7:55 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 8:15 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 8:44 PM.
Good to know
- Horses allowed on the whole route
- 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
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