Jug Handle Headlands Loop-Mendocino
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Jug Handle State Natural Reserve, Adjacent to Hwy. 1, one mile north of Caspar (between the towns of Mendocino and Fort Bragg)
Starting Point: Jug Handle State Natural Reserve parking area, find trailhead sign
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Jug Handle State Natural Reserve information link (California State Parks):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=441
Directions to Jug Handle State Natural Reserve link (click “Getting Here”) (California State Parks):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=441
Jug Handle State Natural Reserve brochure link (California State Parks):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/441/files/JugHandleSNRFinalWebLayout2017.pdf
Map link:
Jug Handle Ecological Staircase Trail Map and Self Guided Nature Trail link (lower numbers are on the Headlands Loop Trail) (California State Parks):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/441/files/Jughandle_Brochuretas2016A.pdf
Distance:
The Jug Handle Headlands Loop Trail is 0.5 miles, an easy walk from the parking area.
Considerations:
• There is a disability accessible portable toilet at trailhead parking.
• Grab a trail map or Jug Handle info brochure if available, ahead of time if in a nearby town where travel brochures are on hand
• The self guided nature trail has numbered markers featuring trail highlights, but there were no trail guides available when we checked the bin at the start of our hike. Download the guide from the link above ahead of time if possible.
• Dogs are also allowed on the short headlands trail, but not on the beach or trails east of the bridge
• Pay attention to health and safety signs, including wildlife information signs.
• Always have sun protection and water.
The trail:
The Jug Handle Headlands Loop Trail is the quick and easy ocean view option from the Jug Handle State Natural Reserve parking area.
Past the main information sign, on the trail start area, a sign points visitors to the 2.5 mile (one way!) Ecological Staircase Trail, or to the 0.5 mile Headlands Loop Trail.
The Headlands Loop Trail starts with a pleasant, woodsy feel, featuring a picnic table under the trees. Walkers soon approach a tree tunnel that contrasts the dark forest with the bright sky reflecting off the ocean just ahead.
A lone tree at the edge of the grass-covered bluff area offers a dramatic visual start to this short walk, which is relatively flat throughout.
Crashing waves, seabirds, and rock formations are in view looking south or north. Follow the path north and curve back toward the forest to see the stunning beach with waves crashing against the rocks. Jug Handle Beach is another popular spot for people to visit from a different trail.
Looming at the back of the beach is the arched bridge that carries vehicles along Highway 1. After enjoying the scenic beach view, walkers curve back toward evergreen trees that open into a pathway through the forest, leading back to the trailhead.
For those short on time and/or energy, this is a great short walk to enjoy some of Mendocino’s hallmark coastal beauty.
(Jug Handle Headlands Loop-Mendocino Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Brothers Walking” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Jug Handle State Natural Reserve, Adjacent to Hwy. 1, one mile north of Caspar (between the towns of Mendocino and Fort Bragg)
Starting Point: Jug Handle State Natural Reserve parking area, find trailhead sign
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Jug Handle State Natural Reserve information link (California State Parks):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=441
Directions to Jug Handle State Natural Reserve link (click “Getting Here”) (California State Parks):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=441
Jug Handle State Natural Reserve brochure link (California State Parks):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/441/files/JugHandleSNRFinalWebLayout2017.pdf
Map link:
Jug Handle Ecological Staircase Trail Map and Self Guided Nature Trail link (lower numbers are on the Headlands Loop Trail) (California State Parks):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/441/files/Jughandle_Brochuretas2016A.pdf
Distance:
The Jug Handle Headlands Loop Trail is 0.5 miles, an easy walk from the parking area.
Considerations:
• There is a disability accessible portable toilet at trailhead parking.
• Grab a trail map or Jug Handle info brochure if available, ahead of time if in a nearby town where travel brochures are on hand
• The self guided nature trail has numbered markers featuring trail highlights, but there were no trail guides available when we checked the bin at the start of our hike. Download the guide from the link above ahead of time if possible.
• Dogs are also allowed on the short headlands trail, but not on the beach or trails east of the bridge
• Pay attention to health and safety signs, including wildlife information signs.
• Always have sun protection and water.
The trail:
The Jug Handle Headlands Loop Trail is the quick and easy ocean view option from the Jug Handle State Natural Reserve parking area.
Past the main information sign, on the trail start area, a sign points visitors to the 2.5 mile (one way!) Ecological Staircase Trail, or to the 0.5 mile Headlands Loop Trail.
The Headlands Loop Trail starts with a pleasant, woodsy feel, featuring a picnic table under the trees. Walkers soon approach a tree tunnel that contrasts the dark forest with the bright sky reflecting off the ocean just ahead.
A lone tree at the edge of the grass-covered bluff area offers a dramatic visual start to this short walk, which is relatively flat throughout.
Crashing waves, seabirds, and rock formations are in view looking south or north. Follow the path north and curve back toward the forest to see the stunning beach with waves crashing against the rocks. Jug Handle Beach is another popular spot for people to visit from a different trail.
Looming at the back of the beach is the arched bridge that carries vehicles along Highway 1. After enjoying the scenic beach view, walkers curve back toward evergreen trees that open into a pathway through the forest, leading back to the trailhead.
For those short on time and/or energy, this is a great short walk to enjoy some of Mendocino’s hallmark coastal beauty.
(Jug Handle Headlands Loop-Mendocino Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Brothers Walking” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
