Sue-meg State Park Rim Trail Restoration Project

After significant erosion to the Rim Trail in Sue-meg State Park, Redwood Parks Conservancy secured funding from the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) to restore one of the park’s most popular coastal hikes. Completed in 2025, this project included the construction of a new 33-foot bridge and a 262-foot partial trail realignment, reestablishing safe and continuous access along the Rim Trail and the California Coastal Trail. This project ensures that visitors can safely enjoy the breathtaking coastal views along the Sue-meg Rim Trail, while protecting the park’s fragile habitats. By replacing a damaged bridge and rerouting the trail around eroded areas, the restoration enhances the resilience and long-term sustainability of the park’s trail network.

Project Scope and Activities

The restoration work involved multiple coordinated tasks to ensure both visitor safety and environmental protection:

Trail Development

  • Brushing and Clearing: 262 linear feet of trail was cleared, including removal of trees, stumps, and downed timber using chainsaws.
  • Excavation and Soil Work: 500 cubic feet of soil was excavated and redistributed along the trail. An additional 300 cubic feet of imported fill and 24 cubic yards of imported soil were brought in to build a stable, accessible trail bed.
  • Trail Construction: The 262-foot trail segment was reconstructed to a width of 4 feet by a hand crew. Trail surfaces were finished with compacted imported aggregate using Vibraplate equipment to provide a soft, accessible surface.
  • Wood Structures and Retaining Walls: 120 square feet of structural wall was constructed using 120 board feet of 4″ x 8″ lumber and rebar. Redwood rough material (4″ stock) was installed to stabilize trail edges.
  • Site Restoration: Areas disturbed during construction—including previous bridge sites, roads, and parking areas—were decompacted, leveled, and restored to reduce environmental impact.

Bridge Construction

  • A new 33-foot fiberglass bridge was constructed to replace the temporary seasonal pipe bridge.
  • Bridge components were hand-transported to the site and assembled on location. All materials were documented, with receipts and certified construction plans maintained for compliance and oversight.

Project Impact

  • 262 linear feet of trail realigned
  • 33-foot permanent bridge installed
  • Soft, accessible trail surface established
  • 120 square feet of retaining wall constructed
  • Trail and site restored to protect sensitive coastal and bluff-top ecosystems

We are grateful to SCC for their support on this important project.