My friend Sara and I returned to hike the Redwood Creek Trail inside Redwood National and State Parks, just north of Orick, CA. Like many trails, the location has seasonal advantages. This time we were on a quest to see the grandiose Giant Trillium, (Trillium chloropetalum). Our region just experienced a couple of nights of heavy frost, so I worried these native beauties would be impacted. Fortunately their hardiness prevailed and we got to admire numerous plants in various stages of development.

According to the National Park Service, Giant Trillium is in bloom February-May. They thrive in rich, damp, Redwood forests. This distinctive variety has a bloom with 3 dark red petals in the center of 3 mottled round leaves. We found patches of them alone and in clusters, in shaded areas and in open sunlight along the trail. Many of them the size of dinner plates! Because of their mottled coloring they camouflage well in the forest. They are often confused with the western trillium, which blooms later and has plain leaves.

We spent two+ hours admiring these beauties on an easy, mostly flat, trail that is approximately 3 miles RT. They are extraordinary! There is some erosion near the end of the trail above Redwood Creek and two of the footbridges are a little wiggly when you cross. On our return trip, we opted to cross the bridges one at a time.

The trail head has its own paved parking lot complete with restrooms. If the opportunity arises, I encourage you to make the visit. Enjoy my pics! #iluvtowalk #trilliums #redwoodcreek #nativeplants #redwoodnationalandstateparks #humboldtcounty #humboldt #perspectivesfrommytrail