Standish-Hickey

StandishHickey State Recreation Area Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. South Fork to the Historic The gateway north redwoods, ofcoast the Eel River these ancient giants shimmers against the have inspired people backdrop of a majestic for centuries. redwood forest. California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (707) 925-6482. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information, call (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995 outside the U.S. 711 TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov SaveTheRedwoods.org/csp Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area 69350 U.S. Hwy. 101, Box #2 Leggett, CA 95455 (707) 925-6482 © 2011 California State Parks (Rev. 2015) G ateway to the tall trees country, In the late 1950s, descendants of Standish-Hickey State Recreation Captain Miles Standish, a Pilgrim Area offers camping, picnicking, who landed on Plymouth Rock in hiking, fishing, and swimming on 1620, donated more than 500 acres. the South Fork of the Eel River The Save the Redwoods League — part of the third-largest river has made subsequent additions system in California. Nearly ten through the years, bringing the miles of trails weave through park’s current size to more than steep canyon bluffs, second1,000 acres. growth forests, and pockets of Much of the land was clear-cut old-growth redwood and Douglasand then burned in a disastrous fire fir. The fast-moving river — with its in 1947. The park is regaining its Edward Ritter rapids, holes of varying depths, calm former beauty. Hickey shallow areas, and cobblestone bed NATURAL HISTORY — is especially popular with both swimmers and anglers. Wildlife Park visitors enjoy warm summer The Eel River is named for its abundant temperatures, varying between 70 and 100 Pacific lamprey. Black-tailed deer, gray degrees. Winter temperatures range from 20 foxes, black bears, mountain lions, and river to 75 degrees. Heavy coastal rainfall averages otters thrive in the park. Eagles, owls, and 70 inches per year. hawks soar the skies, hunting small game. Visitors may see blue heron, osprey, belted PARK HISTORY kingfishers, scrub and Steller’s jays, and Native People acorn woodpeckers. The first known inhabitants of this region, Plants the Sinkyone people, sustained themselves The tallest redwood, the Miles Standish by hunting, fishing, and food gathering in Tree, at 225 feet tall and 13 feet in diameter, the ancient redwoods. These Athabascanis easy to spot from a distance. Estimated speaking people were expert hunters who to be more than 1,200 years old, the Miles used trained dogs to drive game to be Standish Tree bears scars from efforts to caught. Sinkyone men and women both made chop it down and the effects of intricate, useful baskets. the 1947 fire. Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area Among the second-growth redwoods, began as a 40-acre campground donated to Douglas-fir, oaks, laurel, big-leaf maple, alder, the state in 1922 by the Hickey family. The madrones, buckeye, and yew compete for donation honored Edward Ritter Hickey, a sunlight. Lower-elevation growth includes local lumberman’s son who died while caring huckleberry, manzanita, and coyote brush. for victims of the influenza epidemic of 1918. Human Effects on the Park Heavy annual rainfall, combined with the loss of top soil during years of excessive logging, has caused severe erosion. The steep bluffs on the east bank of the South Fork of the Eel River continually erode into the river. Climate change also poses a threat to the park’s plants and animals. Loss of coastal fog and increasing temperatures endanger the coast redwood habitat. The Miles Standish Tree RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Trails — The park’s varied trails offer hikers scenic redwood and river views. • Taber Nature Trail — An easy 1.7-mile, selfguided loop with a 360-degree view of the forested skyline • Big Tree Trail — Moderate 2-mile loop with views of the Eel River • Mill Creek Loop Trail — Strenuous 6-mile loop with a view of Big Tree Meadow Day Use — Picnic tables and parking are available for day-use visitors. Swimming — The South Fork of the Eel River, located at the base of rocky outcrops, creates pools nearly 20 feet deep with sandy bottoms. These pools are popular, sunny places to linger on hot summer days. Visitors will find placid water ideal for relaxation. Fishing — In fall and winter, salmon and steelhead swim upriver at the park on their way to spawn. All anglers aged 16 and over must carry a valid California fishing license. Visit www.wildlife.ca.gov for regulations. Camping — Hickey and Rock Creek Campgrounds are open seasonally. One campsite is set aside for bicyclists and hikers arriving on foot. The campfire center is the site of popular summer interpretive programs. For camping reservations and more information, call (800) 444-7275 or visit www.parks.ca.gov. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES All park campgrounds have some accessible sites. The Taber Nature Trail is a 1.7mile accessible loop. For accessibility updates,visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. Accessible Taber Nature Trail loop Please Remember • No diving or jumping into the river. Stay away from steep and dangerous bluffs. • No lifeguards are on duty; children should be supervised at all times. • All park features are protected by law and must not be disturbed. • Contact with poison oak (even when dormant) can cause a severe rash. • Bicycles and motor bikes are not allowed on park trails. • Hunting and loaded Poison firearms are prohibited. Oak • Store all food and scented items in closed containers in bear-resistant lockers. • Dogs must be on a leash no more than six feet long and must be confined to a tent or vehicle at night. Except for service animals, pets are not allowed on trails. NEARBY STATE PARKS • Smithe Redwoods State Natural Reserve Hwy. 101, 4 miles north of Leggett 95585 (707) 247-3318 • Benbow State Recreation Area 5 miles north of Standish-Hickey on Benbow Drive, off Hwy. 101, Garberville 95542 (707) 923-3238 • Richardson Grove State Park, 1600 Hwy. 101, #8, Garberville 95542 (707) 247-3318 This park is supported in part through a nonprofit organization: Mendocino Area Parks Association P.O. Box 1387, Mendocino, CA 95460 • (707) 937-4700 www.mendoparks.org to Garberville Standish - Hickey State Recreation Area Legend k ee Trail Tr a M ill Miles Standish Tree B 10 0 10 0 00 Eel g 101 Ri South Redwood Trail ve 100 k ee 800 0 120 00 0 River 12 r 1400 Roa d 1600 rk es at G 140 0 100 and ll 0 Rock Creek 0 1 to Fort Bragg So ut h 271 ge Mi 1200 Pa Cr Hickey detail map Bi Park Entrance 100 Cabin see Meadow e Waterfall Ray Meadow il Tre S TA N D I S H - H I C K E Y S TAT E R E C R E AT I O N AREA Tr e e Cr p 0 Loo k 80 Trail l Mil r eek Mill C ee Road adow Me l i Tree Tra Picnic Area Cr op Parking op Eel Lo Lo Talsma Meadow rk k Campfire Center Swimming Mill Creek Falls n Big ee Hike/Bike Campground rd e Fo Cr 0 Campground Showers ek Mill 00 120 Ga Gates 10 Bridge Restrooms d 800 Accessible Feature Cr e Accessible Trail Rive r an ge Pa Eel Tra il Fork Fo 800 uth ig So Trail 00 ture 10 101 Unpaved Road Tab er N a Paved Road LEGGETT 101 0 0.5 Miles 0 0.8 Kilometers © 2011 California State Parks (Rev. 2015) to Willits