Plan Unveiled for Brand-New 300-Mile Trail Along the Northern California Coast

The Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA) took a significant step forward by unveiling the draft Master Plan for the northern stretch of the transformative 307-mile rail-to-trail project connecting San Francisco and Humboldt Bays.

This unveiling marks a pivotal moment for the Great Redwood Trail, which is backed by the efforts of Senate President Mike McGuire, aiming to create a continuous trail spanning Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, Trinity, and Humboldt counties.

The draft Master Plan presents a comprehensive vision for the trail’s development in light of extensive tribal and community outreach efforts. The plan is currently available for public comment until June 3, 2024, and it has received support from groups like North Coast Opportunities and the Redwood Community Action Agency.

Particularly noteworthy are the prioritized action sections, pinpointing which segments of the trail should be tackled first based on feasibility and potential benefits. Notably, key sections in Humboldt County, including an extension of the Humboldt Bay Trail and a stretch of the Eel River Canyon, have been designated as top priorities.

The inclusion of the remote Eel River Canyon segment, despite its geological challenges, shows the agency’s commitment to equitable access and the potential for local economic development.

Sterling Kercher, Alderpoint volunteer Fire Chief, logger, builder, and local landowner, said the trail is “a
good thing for the community to give them the opportunity to make some money. It’s a community
thing, to unite us and to bring people together.”

While the Draft Master Plan is open for public comment until June 3, the agency is actively engaging with stakeholders through events like the upcoming open house in Eureka. With the release of the plan, the Great Redwood Trail Initiative takes a significant stride forward, bringing the transformative vision of a continuous trail through Northern California’s majestic redwoods one step closer to reality.