The natural and intentional landscaping has matured into something quite special at the Potawot Health Village in Arcata, California. A sinuous series of wetlands have been created, native grasses and other plants reintroduced, and an extensive food garden and orchard established. While none of the trails are particularly long, they can be combined for a pleasant walk. By parking on Janes Road or in the Mad River Hospital parking lot and walking on the marked shoulder of the entrance parkway into Potawot the walk can be extended. A self-guided nature tour is available with numbered stops on the trails. Seating and a picnic table are spaced around the grounds.

Getting there: Drive 10 miles north on US 101 and take Exit 716B (Giuntoli exit), proceeding on Giuntoli Lane to the west (follow the roundabout to the third exit). The route passes over 101, rounds a traffic circle and continues on west, veering left (south) and becoming Janes Road. From the initial turn onto Giuntoli Lane to the signed entrance to Potawot is about one mile. Turn left into the entrance parkway for 0.3 mile to parking. Several access points to the trail complex exist south of the parking lot and entrance parkway.

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Hiking Humboldt

Primeval forests harboring the world’s tallest trees.  Sea cliffs, pristine beaches, and towering coastal sand dunes.  Mountain prairies, meadows, and vistas.  Rivers, lakes, lagoons, and bays.  Bears, elk, seals, otters, and birds galore.  And solitude – lots and lots of solitude.  Humboldt County offers all this and much more to the intrepid hiker. Hiking Humboldt volumes 1 and 2 will take you to every publicly accessible corner of the county.