Along Elk River Road - near the southern edge of Eureka, California - are two covered bridges. Both are plainly visible on this road. Elk River Road accesses the northern entrance to Headwaters Redwood Reserve. Both covered bridges are on small side roads which cross a stream to the right. This is a short easy drive from Eureka. The first bridge you'll encounter is on Berta Road - a somewhat well-traveled road which leads to a few dozen homes to the south. A short distance further is this pictured bridge on Zanes Road. This country lane travels into a handful of homes and has little traffic. I walked around here for forty-five minutes and saw but one vehicle cross in that time.

TRAVEL ADVISORY REGARDING HEADWATERS RESERVE: The Headwaters National Reserve was established recently in a deal with Pacific Lumber Company. It is a large stand of old growth redwood. This entrance - along Elk River Road - leads to a trail that allows walking access to a small grove within the reserve. IT is an approximately four mile (six and a half kilometers) trek into this grove.

The south entrance - off Lundblade Mill Road - is available by reservation only and has similar access features - to a different grove. The vast majority of the reserve is closed to the public.

I write this to warn travelers who might think this an easy redwood viewing experience - it isn't.