40

197

Moseley Rd Lower Lake Rd

Pala Rd

Lake Earl Dr

153

152

151

Jedediah 

Smith Redwoods 

State Park

167

199

168

169

199

172

173

Gasquet

171

170 South Fork Rd Howland Hill Rd

Knopki Creek Rd

Smith River

South

Fork Smith

River

Nor ht Fork Smith River

Middle Fork Smith River

164

Crescent 

City

165

166

Klamath River

Del Norte 

Redwoods 

State Park

151. Smith River Mouth 

From Hwy 101 at OR/CA border, drive 

5 mi S to Mouth of Smith River Rd, 

turn R, and go 0.5 mi to parking lot.

The Wild and Scenic Smith River, its 

free-flowing waters among the cleanest in the lower 48 states, supports 

large runs of wild salmon. The estuary and mouth are habitat for a variety 

of year-round resident and migrant 

birds including Common and Pacific 

Loon, Brown Pelican, Western Grebe, 

Double-crested Cormorant, and Western and Glaucous-winged Gull. The 

estuary is the best spot in the county 

to see Snowy Egret, Black-crowned 

Night Heron and Great Blue Heron. 

Watch for harbor seal basking in the 

sun or a local family of river otter.

EFGH

Sponsor: Crescent City-Del Norte 

County Chamber of Commerce

152. Alexandre 

EcoDairy Farm

From Hwy 101 at OR/CA border, drive 

10.5 mi S, cross the Smith River, turn 

R on Lake Earl Dr, then first R on Bailey, first L on Mosley, turn R at T on 

Lower Lake Rd, drive 1 mi to turnout 

by red building on R to view pond. 

Best birded by car, the pond and 

verdant fields of this beautiful EcoDairy is a must-see because of the 

concentrations of waterfowl and 

shorebirds and the possibility of 

rarities. The pond’s water is lowest in 

fall and highest winter-spring when 

Mallard, Gadwall, American Wigeon, 

yellowlegs, dowitchers and sandpipers congregate and Red-tailed and 

Red-shouldered Hawk and Peregrine 

Falcon appear. Rarities have included 

Eurasian Wigeon, Tundra Swan, and 

Emperor Goose. Common birds are 

Bald Eagle, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, 

Great Blue Heron, and Aleutian Cackling Goose. A small herd of American 

Bison roam the fields.

FGK 

Sponsor: Alexandre EcoDairy 

Farms

California Redwoods 

Birding Trail

Del Norte County, California

Enter the realm of the California Redwoods Birding Trail after crossing the state line, a landscape containing 419 

recorded species of birds and characterized by majestic redwood groves and coastal lagoons. The major town is 

Crescent City, with the Birding Trail extending through the redwoods south to the Klamath River, and east a short 

distance along the Smith River. Stop by the Chamber of Commerce on Front Street for a more comprehensive 43-site 

California Redwoods Birding Trail map and guide. Highlights include Lake Tolowa and Lake Earl near Crescent City; 

together they comprise the largest coastal lagoon south of Alaska. Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge is the third 

largest seabird colony in the Lower 48 states, with 11 species of nesting seabirds. Special birds to watch for are Aleutian 

Cackling Geese in the verdant fields of the Smith River bottoms and the Northern Spotted Owl in the redwood forests. 

Perhaps the most exciting and unusual site of the entire birding trail is eight nautical miles to the west of Crescent City 

on Saint George Reef—a pelagic site and home to the Saint George Reef Lighthouse. A visit by boat will delight you 

with views of Black-footed Albatross, Sooty Shearwater, and Rhinoceros auklet.
41

BIRDING TIP

Winter storms with 

sustained westerly winds 

can push seabirds close to

shore, but be sure to 

dress appropriately for 

inclement weather.

Black Oystercatcher Dark-eyed Junco Wilson'sWarbler PHOTO BY: Richard Cronberg PHOTO BY: Lois Miller

PHOTO BY: TerrySteeleNATUREPHOTOGRAPHY.com

163

157

158

Lake

Earl

Lake

Tolowa

154

Kellogg Rd

Moseley Rd

Lower Lake Rd

Lower Lake Rd

Tell Blvd

Lake Earl Dr

Bailey Rd

155

Lake Earl Dr

Lakeview Dr

156

Parkway Dr

West Washington Blvd

Northcrest Dr

St George Reef 

8 nautical 

miles west

Pebble Beach Dr

Pebble Beach Dr

159 9th St

A St Front St

160

161

162

Elk Valley Rd

CRESCENT CITY

153. Pala Road and 

Smith River Bend 

From Hwy 101 at the OR/CA border, 

drive 10.5 mi S, cross the Smith River, 

turn R on Lake Earl Dr, then first R on 

Bailey, first L on Mosley, turn R at T on 

Lower Lake Rd and drive through the 

Smith River bottoms until road ends 

at Tedsen Dairy. Turn L onto Pala Rd 

(graveled) to end at a locked gate and 

parking area. 

The Smith River bottomlands during 

spring migration offer the spectacle 

of thousands of Aleutian Cackling 

Goose, an Endangered Species Act 

success story, grazing in the fields. 

Look in trees bordering the pasturelands for roosting Great Egret and 

Great Blue Heron and an occasional 

Bald Eagle. Through the gate to the 

first dune is a good area for Whitetailed Kite, Northern Harrier, American Pipit, Horned Lark, and Lapland 

Longspur. North of the parking area, 

take the trail towards the river and 

walk the banks to see Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Tundra 

Swan, and gulls in winter. Blackcrowned Night-heron often roost on 

the opposite shore. A colony of Bank 

Swallow and all seven species of 

swallows including Purple Martin occur in summer. 

KFG

Sponsor: Alexandre EcoDairy 

Farms

154. Lake Tolowa Estuary 

From Hwy 101 at the OR/CA border, 

drive 10.5 mi S, cross the Smith River, turn R on Lake Earl Dr, then first 

R on Bailey, first L on Mosley, turn L 

at T on Lower Lake Rd and turn R 

on Kellogg Rd. Go 0.8 mi to L on 

Tell Blvd in the failed Pacific Shores 

subdivision. Go 0.4 mi to 3rd intersection, turn R 0.2 mi to T and turn 

L. Bear left at 0.1 and 0.6 mi from 

T and continue straight for 2.4 mi to 

end and park. 

Lake Tolowa and Lake Earl comprise 

the West’s largest coastal lagoon 

south of Alaska and form the heart 

of 11,000 acres of protected land. 

This is a designated California Important Bird Area with 300 bird species recorded. On the straightaway 

before the lagoon, look for Northern 

Shrike and American Pipit in winter 

and Vesper and Savannah Sparrow 

in summer. Northern Harrier, Shorteared Owl, Horned Lark, and Lapland Longspur are also seen in this 

area. Walk south either via the beach 

or along the lagoon to Lake Tolowa 

mouth. See American and Pacific 

Golden-Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, 

Wilson’s Snipe, Western Sandpiper, 

Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and 

Western Snowy Plover. Rarities have 

included Mountain Plover, Upland 

Sandpiper, Elegant Tern, and Snow 

Bunting. 

AEFGH

Sponsor: Tolowa Dunes 

Stewards

41
42

155. Lake Earl Coastal 

Lagoon Trail 

From Hwy 101 at the OR/CA border, 

drive 10.5 mi S, cross the Smith River, turn R on Lake Earl Dr, and follow 

S 4.6 mi to parking lot on R.

A 1-mile loop trail traverses coastal 

sitka spruce/grand fir forest, where 

views of Lake Earl and Brush and 

Jordan Creek estuaries may reveal 

flocks of waterfowl or shorebirds in 

migration, with Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon interspersed. In the 

marshes see Northern Harrier, Great 

Egret, Green Heron, Common Yellowthroat, and Marsh Wren. Find American Bittern, Virginia Rail, and Sora in 

winter. When lagoon level recedes, 

mudflats support large numbers of 

shorebirds, mostly sandpipers and 

Long and Short-billed Dowitcher. 

AEFGH

Sponsor: Flight Feathers Wild 

Bird Rescue

156. Lake Earl Coastal 

Lagoon Boat Launch

From Hwy 101 at the OR/CA border, 

drive 10.5 mi S, cross the Smith River, turn R on Lake Earl Dr and follow 

5.5 mi S. Turn R on Lakeview Dr and 

go 0.8 mi to boat launch.

Alive with waterfowl from fall-spring, 

fluctuating water level ensures 

ever-changing bird variety, including Virginia Rail, Sora, Common 

Snipe, Black Phoebe, Marsh Wren, 

Common Yellowthroat, Red-winged 

Blackbird, Peregrine Falcon, and 

Red-shouldered Hawk. Band-tailed 

Pigeon frequent nearby spruce trees. 

Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, 

Gadwall, Virginia Rail, American Coot, 

Marsh Wren, and an isolated colony 

of Western Grebe breed at the lagoon. 

CEFGHK

Sponsor: Lake Earl Audubon 

Branch/Redwood Region 

Audubon Society

157. Point St. George 

From Hwy 101 S in Crescent City, 

take Washington Blvd exit W. From 

Hwy 101 N take Parkway Dr exit, 

turn W on Washington Blvd to Pebble 

Beach Dr, follow curve to R and park 

in any turnout on L, or drive 1.1 mi 

to parking lot. 

Look northwest to see the St. George 

Reef Lighthouse built after the wreck 

of the steamer (Brother Johnathan) in 

1865. Find Black-legged Kittiwake, 

Marbled Murrelet, Rock Sandpiper, 

Sanderling, Surfbird, Tufted Puffin, 

Rhinoceros Auklet, Aleutian Cackling 

Goose, Northern Harrier, Western 

Meadowlark, American Pipit, Cliff 

Swallow, Lapland Longspur, and 

Savannah Sparrow, rarely a Blackfooted Albatross. At winter’s dusk, 

look for a Short-eared Owl in the 

grasslands to the east of the parking lot. 

AEFG

Sponsor: Elk Valley Rancheria

158. Castle Rock National 

Wildlife Refuge 

From Hwy 101 S in Crescent City, 

take Washington Blvd exit W. From 

Hwy 101 N, take Parkway Dr exit, 

turn W on Washington Blvd and proceed to coast turning S or NW to access pullouts.

Castle Rock, part of the National 

Wildlife Refuge System, is the second largest seabird colony in California and third largest in the Lower 48 

states. Spotting scopes are strongly 

recommended to view this large 

offshore island from the pullout or 

hike to bluff top. Eleven seabird 

species breed here: 80,000+ Common Murre, Leach’s Storm-Petrel, 

Cassin’s Auklet, Brandt’s Cormorant, 

Western Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Pelagic Cormorant, Rhinoceros Auklet, 

Fork-tailed Storm-petrel, Black Oystercatcher, and Tufted Puffin. May to 

July is the best time to experience 

breeding activity. In late-March 

annual Aleutian Goose Festival: A 

Celebration of Wildness in Crescent City coincides with thousands 

of Aleutian Cackling Geese using 

Castle Rock as primary spring staging ground. See spectacular fly-offs 

at dawn. View the Rock upclose by 

charter, see St. George Reef (Pelagic 

site) description.

ACEFGHK

Sponsor: Aleutian Goose Festival

159. Pebble Beach Drive 

From Hwy 101 in Crescent City, go 

W on 9th St to Pebble Beach Dr, turn 

L or R for birding and coastal access 

(Brother Jonathan Overlook to L, most 

of Pebble Beach Dr to R).

Best birded by car and with a spotting scope, Pebble Beach Drive 

boasts beautiful beaches, abundant 

tidepools and superb viewing of 

shorebirds including Rock Sandpiper, 

Willet, Wandering Tattler, Whimbrel, 

Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, 

and Surfbird. Watch for Bar-tailed 

Godwit at Marhoffer Creek. During 

spring and fall migration, watch and 

listen for all species of swallows, also 

sparrows, pipits, blackbirds, crows 

and ravens. Scope offshore rocks and 

surf for Brown Pelican, Brandt’s and 

Pelagic Cormorant, Black Scoter, and 

Common Murre. At Brother Jonathan 

Overlook S of 9th Street watch gray 

whales in winter. 

CEFGK

Sponsor: Elk Valley Rancheria

Bald Eagle

PHOTO BY: Lois Miller

Allen's Hummingbird

PHOTO BY: Don Munson
43

160. Battery Point 

Lighthouse 

From Hwy 101 in Crescent City, turn 

W on Front St to A St, turn L and go 

2 blocks to Battery Point parking lot. 

The lighthouse is accessible only at 

low tide.

Spectacular location with views of 

the harbor, rocky coastline, and Pacific Ocean from the longest continually occupied lighthouse on the 

West Coast (seasonal tours). Good 

for Heermann’s Gull, Brown Pelican, 

Osprey, Caspian Tern, Black Oystercatcher, Wandering Tattler, Black 

Turnstone, and Surfbird. Rarely, spot 

a Rock Sandpiper. Fish or crab without a license or bird on nearby ADAaccessible B Street Pier.

CEFGK

Sponsor: Del Norte County 

Historical Society

161. Elk Creek Mouth

From Hwy 101 and Front St in Crescent City, go 0.3 mi W on Front St, 

turn S on Stamps Way into Beachfront 

Park, and go 0.15 mi to Howe Dr. Elk 

Creek is to L approx 100 yards, next 

to paved bike/ped trail.

Estuary and expansive tidal flats create an excellent spot for Western, 

Glaucous-winged, Mew, California, 

Heermann’s and Herring Gull. This 

location is seasonal for Caspian Tern, 

and best local spot for Elegant Tern. 

Also good for Black-crowned NightHeron, Western Grebe, Osprey, Great 

Egret, Red Phalarope, Whimbrel and 

Sanderling. Walk the trail upstream 

for rarities including Least Tern. 

Walking distance to North Coast Marine Mammal Center, Redwood National Park Headquarters, Shoreline 

RV Park, Ocean World and Cultural 

Center, where Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center stocks Alan D. 

Barron’s A Birdfinding Guide to Del 

Norte County. 

ABCEFGHK

Sponsor: City of Crescent City

162. Crescent City Harbor 

From Hwy 101 in S Crescent City, 

turn W into the harbor on Anchor Way 

or Citizens Dock Rd, and proceed to 

parking. 

At Anchor Way, the sandy expanse 

of South Beach is favored by resting 

Sanderling and Whimbrel. From the 

top of Whaler’s Island spot Common 

Loon, Western Grebe, Surf Scoter, 

and Rhinoceros Auklet in the late 

fall. Spring to fall, Marbled and Ancient Murrelet are often seen. Watch 

gray whale migration in winter. From 

Citizens Dock Road see harbor seal 

and California sea lion. Surf Scoter, 

Harlequin Duck, Black and Ruddy 

Turnstone, Surfbird, Willet, Whimbrel, 

Brown Pelican, and Double-crested 

Cormorant are common among the 

docks. Good for Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorant, Greater and Lesser 

Scaup, Bufflehead, and Red-breasted 

Merganser. Occasional Long-tailed 

Duck, Osprey, Merlin, and Peregrine 

Falcon. Gulls commonly include 

Western, Glaucous-winged, Heermann’s in June or July, Mew, California, Herring, or Ringed-bill in winter, 

and occasional Thayer’s or Glaucous. 

Terns are usually Caspian, but may 

include Elegant.

ACEFGK

Sponsor: Aleutian Goose Festival

163. St. George Reef 

(Pelagic Site)

Six to 11 Nautical mi WNW of Crescent City Harbor. The St. George Reef 

Lighthouse is at the NW edge of the 

reef, at approximately 41° 50’ 13” N, 

124° 22’ 30” W.

This is a pelagic (open ocean) area 

providing a doubly unique experience: rarely seen open-ocean species and close-up of the St. George 

Reef Lighthouse, completed in 1892. 

Best visited spring to fall to see Black 

Footed Albatross, shearwaters, auklets, jaegers, and Ancient and Marbled Murrelet. Guided trips available 

during the Aleutian Goose Festival 

(late March/early April, www.aleutiangoosefestival.org) and through the 

Siskiyou Field Institute (www.thesfi.

org.) Charters may also be available 

at the Crescent City Harbor.

H

Sponsor: Bicoastal Media 

164. Lagoon Creek Coastal 

Trail and False Klamath Cove

From Hwy 101 & Front St in Crescent 

City, drive S 14 mi through Del Norte 

Redwoods State Park. Past the ocean 

beach at Wilson Creek, turn R into 

Trail parking lot. 

Easy access to the Pacific Ocean on 

a hiking trail through coastal willow 

and brush to an incredible view of a 

large seastack, False Klamath Rock, 

which is home to the fourth largest 

seabird breeding colony on the California coast. More than 25,000 Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, and 

Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorant nest 

on the rock. Surfbird, Brown Pelican, 

Black Oystercatcher, and Black Turnstone are common in surf and tidal 

areas.

ACEFGH 

Sponsor: Trees of Mystery

165. Klamath River Overlook

From Hwy 101 & Front St in Crescent City, drive S 17.7 mi, turn W on 

Requa Rd, and follow uphill 2.3 mi to 

Klamath River Overlook. 

One of the north coast’s most spectacular views is from 600 feet above 

the river mouth.

Scope Bald Eagle, Osprey, American 

Kestrel, Common and Pacific Loon, 

Red-necked and Western Grebe, Surf 

Scoter, and Black-legged Kittiwake. 

Common Murre and Pigeon Guillemot 

are seen in breeding season. Hillside 

below overlook is alive in spring with 

Allen’s Hummingbird, Wrentit, and Orange-crowned Warbler. May to June 

watch for migrating Black Swift among 

Vaux’s Swift and swallows. A steep 

trail near the parking lot entrance 

winds far down the bluff to a viewing 

platform, best place to spot seals, sea 

lions, and whales. The ancestral territory of the Yurok people (People of 

the Salmon) extends from the mouth 

Cedar Waxwing

PHOTO BY: Lois Miller

Pigeon Guillemot

PHOTO BY: Dave Ledig/US Fish&Wildlife
44

40 miles upriver. They are the largest 

California tribe with continuous occupancy of their aboriginal lands and 

still maintain sovereign rights to fish

in traditional ways for salmon.

ACEFGK 

Sponsor: Trees of Mystery

166. Klamath River Mouth 

From Hwy 101 & Front St in Crescent 

City, drive S 21 mi, cross Klamath 

River, turn R past end of bridge on 

Klamath Beach Rd, 0.3 mi to Stop 

sign, turn L, and use turnouts on right 

to view river area. At 3.2 mi, park 

on R shoulder before gated road at 

Yurok Ceremonial Dancing Grounds, 

walk through Dancing Grounds to 

beach trail, or at 3.5 mi, view mouth 

from overlook on R.

Along the lower river, almost any 

duck is possible, especially in winter including Wood Duck, Mallard, 

Green-winged Teal, Common Merganser, Bufflehead, and Greater 

Scaup. Watch river bars or treeline 

for Bald Eagle and Osprey. Estuary attracts large flocks of Western 

and Glaucous-winged Gull, Doublecrested Cormorants, often hundreds 

of Brown Pelican and Heermann’s 

Gull interspersed with Caspian and 

Elegant Tern. Common Raven rest on 

the beach or driftwood. On the ocean 

side is a haulout for harbor seals 

and California sea lion. Watch for 

Common, Pacific, and Red-throated 

Loon, Western Grebe, Surf Scoter, 

and Black-legged Kittiwake in winter. Scope for Marbled and Ancient 

Murrelet. River otters glide and feed 

along the edge. 

ABEFGK 

Sponsor: Green Diamond 

Resource Company

167. Howland Hill Road 

From Hwy 101 N of Crescent City, 

take Hwy 199 E 4.5 mi to Hiouchi, 

continue 1.5 mi to South Fork/Howland Hill Rd, turn R and cross two 

bridges. After 2nd bridge, bear R and 

bird along 10-mi dirt road connecting 

Hiouchi and Crescent City. 

This is an old wagon road that twists 

through the heart of old-growth redwood forest and provides access to 

Mill Creek and several hiking trails.

Watch for American Dipper, Common 

Merganser or Osprey from the bridge 

over Mill Creek. Look and listen for 

tiny Winter Wren and Swainson’s 

or Varied Thrush along the densely 

wooded roadside. You may see or 

hear Marbled Murrelet, Barred Owl, 

Pileated Woodpecker, Vaux’s Swift, 

Wilson’s Warbler, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Kinglet, 

and Chestnut-backed Chickadee.

ACEFGK

Sponsor: Elk Valley Rancheria

Red-breasted Nuthatch. A short side 

trail leads from the grove to the banks 

of the Smith River and the mouth of 

Mill Creek. Survey the river corridor 

for Common Merganser, Harlequin 

Duck, American Dipper, Belted-Kingfisher, and Osprey. 

ACEFGK

Sponsor: Redwood National and 

State Parks

169. Jedediah Smith 

Redwoods State Park 

Campground 

N of Crescent City on Hwy 101, take 

Hwy 199 E 4 mi to Jedediah Smith 

Redwood State Park Campground, 

entrance on R. 

Beautiful campground among towering redwoods nestled in a curve 

of the Wild and Scenic Smith River. 

Possible sightings throughout the 

campground and day-use area include Vaux’s Swift, Hairy and Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, 

Olive-sided and Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Western Wood-pewee, Gray 

Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, 

Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hutton’s Vireo, 

Yellow-rumped, Townsend’s, Hermit, 

and Wilson’s Warbler, Western Tanager, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill, and 

Pine Siskin. Along the river look for 

Common Merganser, Turkey Vulture, 

Spotted Sandpiper, Band-tailed Pigeon, Common Raven, and Warbling 

Vireo. In spring, catch an early morning glimpse of Marbled Murrelet along 

the river corridor as they fly above the 

treetops to and from the ocean.

ABCDEFGH

Sponsor: Redwood National and 

State Parks

170. South Fork Road 

From Hwy 101 N of Crescent City, 

take Hwy 199 E 4.5 mi to Hiouchi, 

continue 1.5 mi to South Fork/Howland Hill Rd, turn R and cross two 

bridges. After second bridge, bear left 

on South Fork Rd. 

On the next 14 miles, view and access 

the Smith River, and pass through 

creekside riparian areas and varying 

forest types for good birding, especially during warmer months. Look 

for Band-tailed Pigeon, Olive-sided 

Flycatcher, Western Wood Pewee, 

Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Violet-green 

Swallow, Steller’s Jay, Chestnutbacked Chickadee, American Dipper 

(at bridges) Golden-crowned Kinglet, 

and Cassin’s, Hutton’s and Warbling 

Vireo. In winter, see breeding Purple 

Finch, Red Crossbill, and Pine Siskin. 

K

Sponsor: Flockfinders (Alan D. 

Barron)

168. Stout Grove, Jedediah 

Smith Redwoods State Park 

From Hwy 101 N of Crescent City, 

take Hwy 199 E 4.5 mi to Hiouchi, 

continue 1.5 mi to South Fork/Howland Hill Rd, turn R and cross two 

bridges. After 2nd bridge, bear R 

onto Howland Hill Rd, and drive 2.4 

mi to the grove. 

A 1⁄2-mile loop trail is an easy walk in 

a majestic grove of ancient redwoods, 

among the first areas protected 

by Save-the-Redwoods League in 

California. Forest species include 

Marbled Murrelet, Swainson’s and 

Varied Thrush, Winter Wren, and Red-breasted Nuthatch BY: KevinSmithnaturephotos.com

Black Phoebe

PHOTO BY: Lois Miller

Ospreys

Photo BY: Ron Green
45

171. Gasquet-Orleans 

(GO) Road 

From Hwy 101 N of Crescent City, 

take Hwy 199 E 4.5 mi to Hiouchi, 

continue 1.5 mi to South Fork/Howland Hill Rd, turn R, and cross two 

bridges. After second bridge, bear left 

on South Fork Rd and continue 14 

mi to turnoff for GO Rd and a hard 

R across river bridge. Follow until the 

road ends at trailhead for Siskiyou 

Wilderness. Road subject to winter 

closure.

The GO Rd was planned for logging access and a paved road from 

Del Norte County to the tiny town of 

Orleans on the Klamath River. Construction was halted to protect sacred 

sites for the Karuk, Hoopa, and Yurok 

tribes. Make frequent stops for best 

birding, including Northern Pygmyowl, Common Nighthawk, Hairy and 

Pileated Woodpecker, Bushtit, and 

Red-breasted Nuthatch. Ruffed and 

Blue Grouse, Mountain Quail, Flammulated Owl, Saw-whet Owl, Whiteheaded Woodpecker, Hammond’s 

and Dusky Flycatcher, Cassin’s Vireo, 

and Hermit Warbler breed along this 

route. This area has easiest and best 

places to see the Siskiyou/Klamath 

endemic weeping Brewer’s spruce, a 

relict species from the last ice age. 

AKL

Sponsor: California Wilderness 

Coalition

172. Knopki Creek Road 

From Hwy 101 N of Crescent City, 

take Hwy 199 E to the town of Gasquet. From the small white Smith 

River NRA visitor center on L, continue 15.4 mi to graveled Knopki 

Creek Rd (18N07), turn R. Bird along 

this ascending road for 13.4 miles 

to the Young’s Valley/Sanger Lake 

trail marker. Road subject to winter 

closure. 

A scenic route into the Smith River 

National Recreation Area to view high 

elevation birds, the first few miles 

climb through a Douglas-fir and 

tanoak dominated forest. Watch for 

Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin’s and 

Hutton’s Vireo, and Black-throated 

Gray and Hermit Warbler during the 

breeding season. Northern Pygmyowl are in the area and often attract 

the harsh calls of Bushtit, Wrentit, 

Nashville, and MacGillivray’s Warbler, and Spotted Towhee. Good high 

country candidates are Mountain 

Quail and Ruffed Grouse. The alderand maple-lined creeks and riparian 

areas attract swallowtail and sisters 

butterflies in the hottest weather.

KL

Sponsor: Flockfinders (Alan D. 

Barron)

miles to the Young’s Valley/Sanger 

Lake trail marker. Drive R 1.5 mi to 

Young’s Valley Trail or L 0.5 mi to 

Sanger Lake.

The high country has serpentine soils 

that host a unique variety of endemic 

plants and trees, which support species of birds that are otherwise rare 

to the region. Old-growth cedars and 

fir host Brown Creeper, Mountain 

Chickadee, Cassin’s Finch, and Darkeyed Junco. Watch for Red-breasted 

Sapsucker and White-headed Woodpecker. Rarities include Northern 

Goshawk and Golden Eagle. Wildflowers and hummingbirds abound in 

late summer in Young’s Valley, one of 

the jewels of the Siskiyou Wilderness. 

Many wonderful backpacking routes 

begin at this trailhead. Tiny Sanger 

Lake attracts thirsty wildlife on warm 

days.

ABKL

Sponsor: California Wilderness 

Coalition

173. Young’s Valley 

and Sanger Lake 

From Hwy 101 N of Crescent City 

take Hwy 199 E to the town of Gasquet. From the small white Smith 

River NRA visitor center on L continue

15.4 mi to the graveled Knopki Creek 

Rd (18N07) and turn R, drive 13.4 

Bonaparte's Gull

Photo BY: Richard Cronberg

Double-crested Cormorant

Photo BY: Ron Green

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Photo BY: Richard Cronberg

Savannah Sparrow

Photo BY: Lois Miller

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Photo BY: Lois Miller
46

707.464.5942

Pat Grady

C re sc e n t

C ity

Brooking s

Del Norte

County

OREGON

CALIFORNIA

of thousands of acres of public lands. Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge protects the 

second largest seabird colony in the state. The Lake Earl Coastal Lagoon is the West 

Coast's largest estuarine lagoon outside of Alaska, and provides a major migratory stopover 

during peak times along the Pacific Flyway.

 Redwood National and State Parks protect the world's tallest trees and include 75 miles 

of trails for exploration. The Smith River National Recreation Area offers outstanding 

recreation and showcases the Smith River, the nation's longest wild and scenic river. The 

adjacent Six Rivers National Forest contains unmatched geologic complexity and an 

immense plant diversity of global significance, as well as the rugged and pristine Siskiyou 

Wilderness. The Klamath River borders the southern entrance to the county and is, along 

with the Smith River, renowned for its world-class steelhead and salmon fishing.

CRESCENT CITY 

 The county's largest town, Crescent City, with its outlying ranch and farmlands, enjoys a 

quiet and casual atmosphere while offering comfortable lodging accommodations. Steeped in 

history and Native American culture, it hosts several museums, two lighthouses, and a variety 

of restaurants and recreational activities for every type of visitor and pocketbook, from 

golfing to beachcombing.

 The growing and working harbor of Crescent City, where whale watching, fishing, and 

pelagic tours can be chartered, is also home to an established commercial fishing fleet that 

provides seafood for California markets, and seasonally sells fresh Dungeness crab or 

albacore right off the docks. 

 California's most northwest county contains over fifty miles of pristine coastline and tens 

GLOBAL NATURAL TREASURES

 The rugged natural beauty of the California Redwoods Birding Trail is unrivaled. This is 

a place where ancient redwoods thrive, rivers run free, and wild salmon still spawn. Here, rare

bird, plant, and fish species rebound rather than disappear. 

 Del Norte County is one of the most exciting and scenic places to visit in search of birds 

on the West Coast, or in the entire United States. This tiny county in the northwest corner 

of California has recorded more species of birds (419 as of 2006) than eighteen entire 

states and nine Canadian territories and provinces. 

BACKGROUND PHOTO COURTESY OF

F. L. HISER, JR.

DESIGN BY GRADY GRAPHICS

GRADYGRAPHICS@ CHARTER.NET

CALIFORNIA REDWOODS 
47

707.464.4680 

www.elk-valley.com

American Dipper

Western Grebe

Aleutian Cackling Goose

707.482.2251

www.treesofmystery.net

707.487.1000 www.ecodairyfarms.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF

REDWOOD NATIONAL & STATE PARKS

PHOTO BY ROY IRVING PHOTO BY ROY IRVING PHOTO BY CLAY TAYLOR

SWAROVSKI OPTIK

 707.464.7483 

www.crescentcity.org

BIRDING TRAIL