The James Irvine and Miner's Ridge Trail form the most direct route from Prairie Creek Visitor Center to Gold Bluffs Beach. This 4.6 mile route passes through some of the Park's oldest redwood groves and a distinct coastal ecosystem en route to the beach. The James Irvine, Miner's Ridge and Clintonia trails form a 7.45 mile lollipop loop through the heart of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. This moderate route features some of the Park's largest redwood trees and an inclusive redwood forest ecosystem.

The roots of beach pea, beach strawberry, lupine, sand verbena and a variety of grasses add critical structure and stability to dunes on Gold Bluffs Beach

Coastal dunes, scrub, wetlands and forests dominated by Sitka spruce buffer less tolerant redwoods from strong winds and salt spray

Redwood roots only go down about 10-13' and they have no taproot, making them susceptible to windthrow

By 1925 Roosevelt Elk were virtually extirpated from California and one of the last herds was located in Prairie Creek State Park

The Coastal Trail runs nearly 70 miles in Redwood National Park, much of which can be easily accessed by road and easy beach walking

Redwoods grow taller and more slender than closely related Giant Sequoias, which are the most massive things on earth

Lupine derives its name from the Latin word for wolf (lupus), a reference to the belief it consumed a lot of the mineral content in the soil

Evergreen huckleberry, one of the most ubiquitous understory plants in old growth redwood forests, is distinguished by leathery, serrated leaves and an erect stature

Burls are comprised of un-sprouted bud tissue that form at the base (and sometimes higher up the trunk) on redwood trees and hold genetic material of the parent; if the main trunk is damaged or dies, the burl is capable of producing a clone

The Miners Ridge Loop is ideal for runners looking for a mid-distance run with a variety of grades

Healthy redwood forests typically include Douglas fir, western hemlock, madrone and tanoak, all of which contribute to the self-sustaining and propagating nutrient cycle of the forest

Redwoods have few natural enemies (such as insects) and are susceptible to few if any diseases

Elk are frequently seen on Gold Bluffs Beach