The Headwaters Education Center, open for special events and Sundays from June through August, is located approximately 0.5 miles from the Elk River Trailhead. Simply park at the trailhead and hike, bike, or stroll the short distance to the Education Center.
Over 100 years ago, the building now known as the Headwaters Education Center (HEC) served as an engine house to store the locomotives that hauled logs to the lumber mill atFalk. In 2008, the engine house was dismantled and moved to its new location along the Elk River Trail.
Eachyear, students from Humboldt County Schools attend fieldtrips and use this space to learn about the lumber town of Falk, study redwood ecology as well as salmon and watershed health. Summer events with storytellers and local experts are also scheduled here and are a part of the ongoing commitment and mission of the Headwaters Forest Reserve. If you are interested in scheduling a field trip or have interest in our special events, contact Anna Arsic.
Thanks to dedicated volunteers,the HEC is open every Sunday from 12 to 3pm, June - August. Join us for educational activities or wander the train barn and enjoy interpretive displays that describe Headwaters Forest Reserve ecology and history.Contact our officeif you are interested in upcoming volunteer opportunities.
The Headwaters Forest Reserve has two access points, the Elk River Trailhead and the Salmon Pass Trailhead. The Elk River Trailhead is open to the public year-round, while the Salmon Pass Trailhead is accessible by guided hike only.
Email the Headwaters Forest Reserve to request a tour.
Elk River Trail and the Headwaters Education Center (north end)
The Elk River Trailhead (north end) is open all year. Parking is available at the trailhead parking lot.The Headwaters Education Center, open for special events and Sundays from June through August, is located approximately 0.5 miles from the Elk River Trailhead. Simply park at the trailhead and hike, bike, or stroll the short distance to the Education Center.
How to get there:To access the north end of Headwaters along the Elk River, take the Elk River Road exit off Highway 101, at the south end ofEureka. Turn right onto Elk River Road and drive approximately six miles to the Elk River Trailhead parking area.
Trail Information:The first 3 miles follow a narrow stream corridor of public land that parallels the South Fork Elk River. The first mile is paved and accessible for those with limited mobility. Bicycles and dogs (under owner’s control) are allowed on the first 3 miles.
The last 2 ½ miles wind beneath a closed tree canopy, ending at a small old-growth redwood grove. Please stay on the trail to avoid trespassing and to protect the area’s natural resources.
Distance:It is 5 miles to the old-growth and ½ mile through the old growth loop, for a total 10.5-mile trip.
Difficulty: The first 3 miles traverse moderate terrain adjacent to the river. The remaining 2 ½ miles are moderately strenuous. Plan 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours for the first 3 miles and 2 to 2 ½ hours for the last 2 ½ miles.
Salmon Pass Trail (south end)
The Salmon Pass Trail (south end) is accessible for guided hikes only. Guided hikes can be scheduled between May 15 and November 15 (weather permitting) bycontacting the BLM Arcata Field Office at (707) 825-2300.
How to get there:The Salmon Pass Trail is located in the southern part of the Headwaters Forest Reserve, and is accessible only through BLM led guided hikes. This trail is located near the city ofFortuna.
Trail Information:The first ½ mile passes through a young to mid-aged forest with views of restored watershed areas. The next 2 miles ascend through the old-growth redwood forest with a view across Salmon Creek to the largest stand of Douglas-fir within the Reserve. The trail then loops back as it descends through the old-growth.
Distance and difficulty:This 2 1/2 mile hike is considered moderately strenuous and takes 3 to 4 hours
History and Culture
The area that is now the Headwaters Forest Reserve has a rich history of human occupation. A bustling mill town called Falk waslocated a mile from the Elk River Trail parking lot from 1884-1937. It became a ghost town for 20 years until the buildings were razed in 1979. Remnants of the town such as theHeadwaters Education Centerand the one mileElk River InterpretiveTrail give the visitors and opportunity to go back in time.
Check outFalk: A Town Disappeared. This film was produced by Ethan Cardoza, a student in the Humboldt State University Film Program. It provides an excellent overview of the town of Falk and Headwaters.
Headwaters Activism
The area now known as the Headwaters Forest Reserve was the site of widespread public protests from 1986 through 1999. Political activists and community members from the northern California region held rallies and pressured political officials to "Save Headwaters" from ongoing logging activities in the area. These efforts culminated in the acquisition by the federal government and the State of California of 7,472 acres in 1999. This land is now the Headwaters Forest Reserve.
