A challenging first day with rare coast views followed by easy redwood valley hiking. It requires special planning: Call headquarters, reserve Sunset Camp, enter at the coast (Highway 1 to the unlocked gate across from Waddell Beach), and register at the iron ranger.
Take the trailhead at the east end of the parking lot to Clark Connection. Cherish the cool redwood valley before climbing 700 feet in about one mile to Westridge trail. Endure the steep ups and downs of Westridge for six miles to Chalks Road. Head southwest and visit 1,600-foot Chalk Mountain before continuing to the top two coast views in the park. This is a good place for lunch — notice the arcing blue horizon. About 0.5 mile north, follow Whitehouse Canyon road northeast to Anderson Landing Road and Sunset Camp.
Although the sites are too close for comfort, Sunset has broken canopy that allows for great stargazing. Spend the morning at the falls south of Sunset, continue through the valley past Berry Creek Falls, and take STS the remaining 5 miles back to the ocean.
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