The Bigfoot Trail: A 358-Mile Journey Through the Wild in Far Northern California

The Bigfoot Trail is a 358-mile trail that winds through the Klamath Mountains in northwest California and a small portion of southern Oregon, starting in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness and ending in Crescent City on the Pacific Ocean. This wilderness trek will test you to your core with its solitude, bushwacking, and steep terrain but will reward you with some of the most hidden beauty of far northern California.

This trail takes 2-4 weeks to complete and is geared toward experienced thru-hikers seeking a new challenge. It’s best for those who are comfortable route-finding and being alone in the wilderness.

Bigfoot Trail At a Glance

• Length: 358 miles
• Expected Completion Time: 2-3 weeks (averaging 20 miles per day)
• Location: Klamath Mountains in Northern California
• Best season(s) to hike: Summer through early fall
• Trail Type: Point to point

Scenery

The trail passes through six wilderness areas, one national park, and one state park. It features an epic amount of conifer diversity, passing 32 different species along its length.

On the Bigfoot Trail, you’ll experience a wide array of the best that Northern California has to offer: from the Pacific Ocean and coastal redwood forests to piney mountaintops and alpine lakes to high desert landscapes.

Terrain

The terrain varies often on the Bigfoot Trail. It is a difficult trail overall. Around 100 miles of the trail is on paved and dirt/gravel roads, but the majority of the remainder of the trail is on backcountry trails, some of which have not been maintained for years. The hike sometimes involves bushwacking through thick brush and climbing over and under fallen trees.

With almost 100,000 feet of elevation gain and loss over the trail, this one is not for the light of heart and often involves steep climbs and descents. Rocky and loose footing is common, although the trail is not technical. The Bigfoot Trail does sometimes briefly coincide with the Pacific Crest Trail, where the terrain greatly improves for a time.

Navigation

Navigation is definitely a challenge that steps this trail up in difficulty compared to a trail like the PCT or AT. There are no Bigfoot Trail markers, although you will occasionally come upon other trail signs.

The best way to navigate this trail is with the FarOut guide. That said, the waypoints in the app have very few comments (due to the trail only having one or two users per season), and the trail map is not always accurate.

Having a second source of navigation like Gaia is recommended, although you’ll still have to do some route-finding of your own. Downloadable and printable maps are available from The Bigfoot Trail website for a fee, but FarOut is still the most useful navigation tool.

While trail maintenance has greatly improved in the past few years and will continue to do so, there are still a couple of sections that can be very confusing.

In the north, the section along Clear Creek (starting around Mile 294 northbound and heading west) requires multiple unmarked creek crossings and trailblazing.

The middle section of the Bigfoot Trail is the most unmaintained. Here, you’ll face some intense bushwhacking for about eight miles through Wooley Creek, starting around Mile 196 northbound. The Bigfoot Trail Alliance currently recommends detouring this section on the PCT instead, although trail maintenance started in 2024 and should continue in 2025. I recommend researching the status of this section before deciding whether to skip it. If detouring, stay on the PCT from Mile 161.7 to Mile 204.6.

The Bigfoot Trail Alliance recommends that thru-hikers bring a map and compass, although I never used either on my thru-hike.

How To Get to the Bigfoot Trail

Northern Terminus

The northern terminus is on the Pacific Ocean in the town of Crescent City, CA. Crescent City is a full-service town, making this a very easy place to start or end a thru-hike. The closest major airport is in Arcata, which is 1.5 hours away by car or two hours via a bus that runs twice daily, Monday-Saturday.

Northern Terminus of the Bigfoot Trail: An actual Bigfoot sighting

Southern Terminus

The southern terminus is at Ides Cove trailhead, which is about 50 miles west of the city of Red Bluff, CA. Getting there from Red Bluff takes about three hours due to the windy dirt backroads. Red Bluff is a full service city, with the closest major airport being in Redding, about 30 miles away. There is a twice-daily bus from Redding to Red Bluff that runs seven days a week.

Finding a ride to the trailhead from Red Bluff might be a bit of a logistical nightmare if you don’t know someone in the area; the trailhead is hardly ever visited due to its distance from civilization. You could try hitchhiking, but securing a ride beforehand is a much more viable option.

It is also important to note that once you get onto the 25N01 dirt road, Google Maps will direct you to take many “shortcuts” up steep dangerous roads. Ignore it and stay on the main road until the last sharp right-hand turn, 0.2 miles before Ides Cove trailhead, on Ball Rock Rd.

If you’re finishing at the Southern Terminus and don’t have a ride pre-arranged, be prepared to walk an additional 30 miles before hitting a road with enough traffic to hitchhike.

Best Direction To Hike the Bigfoot Trail

There is no better or worse direction to hike this trail. If you are starting in the fall, it might be advantageous to hike southbound, finishing the northern mountains earlier and thus averting the risk of early-season snow.

Why Hike the Bigfoot Trail

Bear sightings are quite common in the Red Butte Wilderness portion of the Bigfoot Trail

The Bigfoot Trail takes you through some of the most untouched and breathtaking corners of far Northern California, places few people ever get to witness.

Due to its remoteness, animal encounters are more common than human encounters. You’ll constantly be exposed to mesmerizing views, but you can often go days without seeing another person. The solitude will give you the chance to get to know yourself better and become a bit more self-reliant.

You’ll never be bored on this trail: the terrain is constantly changing, and route finding is a constant need. The steep terrain and challenging footing will leave you breathless and the bushwhacking will make you want to scream sometimes, but on the other hand, every inch of good tread you walk will be that much more enjoyable.

Nothing like getting stuck in a cow-train in the middle of nowhere

This is not a beginner trail. It’s aimed at someone who hopefully has multiple thru-hikes under their belt, has experience bushwhacking and route finding, and is comfortable being alone. But that’s what makes the Bigfoot so amazing. The rewarding severity of this trail will leave you feeling accomplished at the end of every day.

You’ll encounter all types of wildlife on this short trail. Bears, deer, coyotes, owls, possibly elk, bunnies, snakes, and even cows are highlights of the Bigfoot Trail. Meanwhile, the diversity of conifers and plants you will encounter will make you marvel at how amazing this world is.

Untouched mountain peaks, alpine lakes all to yourself, miles and miles of trees stretching in every direction from the top of a ridge … these things will make all the sweaty days worth it. Having lived in northern California my whole life, I was still blown away by the beauty of this trail.

Highlights of the Bigfoot Trail

The Redwoods

If you have never been to the northern California coast, boy are you in for a treat. Seeing the Pacific Ocean in all its glory is a great way to start or end a thru-hike. And the redwood forest you’ll walk through in the westernmost portion of the trail will make you feel like you are living in a Disney movie as you stroll past tree trunks wider across than most small cars.

Trinity Alps

Shhh, don’t tell anyone, but the Trinity Alps are among California’s best-kept secrets. Deep canyons, alpine lakes, craggy peaks. It’s like a mini-Yosemite without the crowds. I highly recommend camping at Caribou Lakes if possible.

South Fork Trinity River

If you have a little extra time, plan to spend an afternoon jumping into the many deep, crystal-clear pools you will pass as you walk along the South Fork of the Trinity River. While not easily accessible due to the steep terrain, if you can manage to get down to the water, it will be a welcome and quiet oasis on a most likely hot section of trail.

Mt. Shasta

One of the major highlights of this trail is the many chances you’ll have to admire Mt. Shasta, a solo and prominent 14er that you get views of almost the entire way. It never gets old.

PCT

Since the Bigfoot Trail coincides with the PCT for a short stint, this will either be nostalgic for those who have hiked it before or a taste of this beast for those hoping to hike it in the future. Either way, after all the solitude, the camaraderie of thru-hikers will be a nice reprieve.

Climate and Weather: The Best Time of Year To Hike the Bigfoot Trail

The Bigfoot Trail is best hiked in summer and early fall. The mountains will probably still be holding onto snow until late spring/early summer, depending on the year. Plan accordingly.

Summer can be very hot, with temperatures reaching above 100 degrees. It will also most likely be very dry besides the occasional thunderstorm. Fall will be much cooler, possibly getting down to the 30s at night. Expect to encounter some cold rain storms and even snow at this time of year.

Wildfires are very common in Northern California in both summer and fall. I recommend staying flexible with dates, as portions of the trail might close due to fires. Open sections can also be very smoky, depending on the year.

Prepare for all types of weather, from snow to extreme heat, throughout the hiking season.

Gear Suggestions

Typical thru-hiking gear works for the Bigfoot Trail. You should bring a three-season tent, sleeping pad, and adequate sleeping bag or quilt (20 – 40 degrees, depending on your preference).

Shorts and a t-shirt will be adequate for hiking most days, although you should be prepared for cold weather too. I recommend bringing a rain jacket, beanie, and puffy, along with a baselayer for sleeping. While you will be in the sun often, the trail isn’t overly exposed, so normal sun protection is adequate.

One thing you should keep in mind is that you will sometimes be doing some pretty intense bushwhacking through blackberry bushes, over and under thorny logs, and possibly through poison oak. You might want a long-sleeve shirt and pants that are tear resistant to protect yourself from cuts and scratches. At the very least, I would suggest bringing gaiters and having a rain jacket to put on during these sections.

If you are hiking in July, I definitely recommend that you bring bug spray.

Camping

Camping is fairly easy along the majority of the trail besides the paved road-walking sections. This is a true wilderness thru-hike, so you most likely won’t run into many other hikers, besides possibly in the Trinity Alps and along the portions that coincide with the PCT. All this means you will have your pick of campsites most nights.

There are a few long road walks on this trail where your camping options will be limited. Plan to not camp on the road walks into and out of Hayfork (on the paved portion), into and out of Junction City, and into or out of Crescent City. You will also walk quite a few miles of dirt and gravel roads, which have enough pull-outs with adequate camping possibilities.

Water Sources

The drier, high-desert section in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness

Overall, water sources are pretty reliable and consistent on the Bigfoot Trail. The only times when you need to be more aware of your water sources are on the road-walk sections and in the very southern section in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness, especially if it is a dry year.

The comments and waypoints in the FarOut app are the best water source guide. Note that there are many more water sources available than those listed on FarOut.

Resupply Options

Hayfork is a small, full-service town that you walk through. It has a full grocery store and restaurants.

Junction City is a tiny town that you will walk through, which only has a small convenience store. It’s possible to resupply there if you’re not picky. You could also hitch east to Weaverville, which is a large, full-service town.

Trinity Mountain Meadow Resort is a lodge in the Trinity Alps that you can send packages to. Make sure you check their website and email them to coordinate sending a package, as it might take a week or two for them to receive your box. This is a private lodge, so don’t plan on purchasing anything on-site.

Callahan has a small store/restaurant with very limited resupply; this might be a tough place to hitch to. Etna is a full-service town that is a common stop for PCT hikers. Hitching to Etna is not always quick, but it’s most likely easier than Callahan.

Seiad Valley is a very small town that you will walk through and which is also right on the PCT. It has a decent store and a cafe with limited hours.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re an experienced thru-hiker looking for solitude and a good challenge, the Bigfoot Trail is right up your alley. Between the bushwhacking and steep climbs, its not an easy trail by any means.

Yet this trail will reward the willing with breathtaking views that few have seen, including some of the rare and untouched gems of Northern California. The Bigfoot will throw a little bit of everything at you with rewards along the whole way. And with trail maintainers slowly chipping away at the rougher sections, this gem will most likely grow in popularity in the coming years. If it’s on your list, I would jump on it soon to see it in its most wild state!

Featured image: Photo by Jenn Wall. Graphic design by Zack Goldmann.