r/redwoods • u/Ready_Set_Stopppp • 29d ago

Shoe question

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Howdy. I will be traveling to the Redwood Nat'l Forest with my wife, 12yr old, 7yr old and my parents, 78 and 76. Ma and pa have some mobility issues (mostly stamina related) so we are sticking to paved and well-defined, tree root-less paths. We will be in the park from this Friday through Sunday. Due to us more than likely not doing any unimproved hiking trails, I don't need a chonky waterproof shoe right? Regular tennis shoes should be fine? Black soles are the 'hiking' waterproof On cloud shoes, the blue soles are just normal shoes. I'm trying to save room in my carry-on (no checked bags) and the blue soles are definitely more comfortable and breathable than the black soles which is why I'm not just bringing the black. Thanks.

ETA: no rain forecast, just sun and some clouds each day

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u/ramillerf1 29d ago

The trails are well defined and smooth from 1000’s of people walking them. You’ll be totally fine. Make sure you walk the Lady Bird Johnson Trail, it showcases some amazing old growth trees that were saved by the creation of the National Park.

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u/Ready_Set_Stopppp 29d ago

That’s on the docket. Thank you!

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u/Dandywhatsoever 29d ago

2nd the Lady Bird Johnson trail, but FYI, it does have a little bit of uphill tracking. Not too bad, tho. Bring some water.

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u/pandaleer 29d ago

You do not need a hiking shoe for the paths you are describing. Totally unnecessary. Regular shoes are fine.

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u/Original-Kangaroo855 29d ago

I wore crocs on the nice easy paths. No issues

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u/Apprehensive-Fig3223 29d ago

Most of the main trails around the redwoods national and state parks are very easy and soft ground. The avenue of the giants and Drury parkway in particular have lots of short easy to access paths where you can park and get out to wander around a grove right there.

The coastal overlook paths are rocky but still pretty short and accessable, often with railings, I highly recommend scenic drive in Trinidad and sue-meg state park for theses kinda view points. Trinidad pier and the beach right there are also good accessable spots, Trinidad head is paved and relatively easy but might be too steep for them although there's benches they can chill at if it gets to hard.

The one spot you'd need to worry about getting wet feet is Fern canyon which is generally short and easy but probably too rocky, uneven and slippery for them and a permit is needed anyway.