Hammond Trail

Trail Description

The Hammond Trail is a 5.5 mile multi-use segment of the California Coastal Trail in Humboldt County. Planning, environmental studies, and designs for the Hammond trail began in the 1970s and the final segment was completed in 2001. The Trail was constructed through private property and along a portion of the abandoned Little River and Hammond Railroad properties. The railroad line once extended from Humboldt Bay north to the town of Crannell.

The Hammond Trail provides adventure, history and beautiful vistas as it undulates along the Northern California coastline and stretches from the Arcata Bottoms northward to Clam Beach County Park near McKinleyville.

Starting from the southern trailhead, at the Mad River Bridge, your adventure of the historic Hammond Trail begins. You cross the Mad River pedestrian bridge. Its crest provides a magnificent overlook of the Mad River, where you are likely to see marine wildlife, such as seals and sea otters. Many bird species, including cormorants, grebes, herons, ducks and Aleutian geese, endangered until recently, also frequent the area. 

Directly beyond the river the trail winds between coastal pastures partially protected by the coastal dunes to the west. You ascend a short hill into the western fringe of McKinleyville, an unincorporated town with a population of 15,000 people. The trail continues through residential neighborhoods to Hiller Park where you can take a restroom break, enjoy extra hiking trails, and a dog park.

Beyond Hiller Park the trail tunnels through a beautiful thick overgrowth of mixed conifer forest before opening up to spectacular bluff-side views of the Mad River and Pacific Ocean. Take a seat on a bench or continue on the trail to the Murray Road picnic area or Widow White Creek recreational loop trail. The Widow White Creek loop trail leads you north along the bluff then down along the creek and connects you back to the paved trail north of Murray Road near Highway 101. From the picnic area, the trail shares traffic with Murray Road for about 0.25 mile before turning north toward Widow White Creek. 

The Hammond Trail north of Widow White Creek boasts more spectacular bluff overlooks and the Mad River Vista Point at Highway 101 before you descend a steep gravel grade to sea level. A short, paved section crosses Strawberry Creek just before the trail end at Clam Beach County Park. The trail can be accessed every day of the year and is pet and family friendly.