Three years ago, when I wrote about cycling from the Crannell Road exit of U.S. Highway 101 to the end of the Humboldt Bay Trail (“Cycling Along the Water,” March 10, 2022), I was not optimistic about being able to ride past the “End of Trail” sign in the foreseeable future. It wasn’t because I didn’t trust the dedication and energy of the people working toward its realization. I was simply afraid something would happen to stop their vision (and my wish) from becoming reality.
When the good news started to flow in via the Humboldt Trails Council newsletter and local news reports, hope, as Emily Dickinson described it, “the thing with feathers — That perches in the soul,” started to flex its wings.
I saw equipment and people on the ground working on the trail. A particularly exciting moment was when I noticed a short bridge just after the “End of Trail” sign, a clear omen Arcata and Eureka would be connected.
When the March of 2025 Humboldt Trails Council newsletter included a section titled “Bay Trail South Celebration in the Works,” I allowed myself to daydream of one day soon (sweet word!) being able to ride on the dream come true.
Then the date was set, June 28, details were shared and I was overjoyed my fears had been misplaced. I was out of town when the party happened and could not wait to be back and enjoy uninterrupted cycling from Arcata to Eureka off the freeway and back the same way.
I didn’t have time for a long ride, so started from the beginning of the Arcata City Trail on Alliance Road to the Arcata Marsh, then along the bay. The early morning was classic summer in Humboldt County: overcast, no wind, the bay glassy, temperature cool. I didn’t mind — nothing like a period in over 80-degree weather to make you appreciate lower temperatures.
I cruised nicely until the spot where the trail end sign no longer stopped my ride. Almost giddy with excitement, I pedaled onto the newly paved section, still sandwiched between U.S. Highway 101 and the bay, until, right before the Brainard Mill site, where the trail turns toward the bay, running on top of the levee behind the mill.
This portion of the ride afforded a new view onto the water and of the space behind the mill site. I had no idea that space was so vast — and so empty. I started to imagine possibilities. I should leave planning to the experts, but I hope there will come a time when the area turns into something alive and colorful, like the Northwestern Pacific Railroad bridge over the Eureka Slough that, now restored, its surface flat and its railings painted in bright colors, provides a sort of grand entry into the city.
Past the bridge, I was on known ground, the section of the trail leading to the Eureka Waterfront Trail. I continued my ride on the Hikshari’ Trail all the way to the Herrick Avenue Park and Ride at the south end. By the time I turned around, a breeze had picked up, more people had taken to the trail, and the sun was making progress on burning off the fog, a task it completed when I was almost back to Arcata.
I wish to extend an enormous “Thank you!” to every single person, organization, agency that made this 4.25-mile-long marvel happen: from first vision, to planning, attending meetings, sustained engagement, volunteering, fundraising and detailed work on the ground. At a time when there is too much talk about building walls, a small one came down in our county and the impact is big.
If we want people of all ages to be more active, we need to make activities safer: dedicated spaces and trails in, or close to, urban areas are one way to do that. When they offer a beautiful, unique view, they attract both locals and visitors. And let’s not forget commuters, since the more bicycles instead of cars traveling between Arcata and Eureka, the better.
The Humboldt Bay Trail is also part of the Great Redwood Trail, a 307-mile, multi-use, rail-to-trail project. Eventually, it’s meant to connect Humboldt and San Francisco bays.
Dare I dream?
Simona Carini (she/her) shares photographs of her outdoor explorations (and of food) on Instagram
@simonacarini.
This article appears in ‘No Signs of Recovery’.