Notes: Rocket top is the world's 26th tallest tree, the 17th tallest tree in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and the 4th tallest tree on Middle Bull Creek Flat.

Drive: Rocket Top is 195 mi (314 km) north of San Francisco near the community of Weott.

Northbound: From U.S. Highway 101 just north of Weott, take exit 663 South Fork Honeydew and turn left onto California State Route 254 (Avenue of the Giants). Drive north 0.2 mi (0.3 km) on California State Route 254 (Avenue of the Giants) and turn left, under the bridge, onto Mattole Road.

Southbound: From U.S. Highway 101 just north of Weott, take exit 663 South Fork Honeydew and turn right onto Mattole Road.

Drive west 1.6 mi (2.6 km) on Mattole Road to a sign on the left/south side of the road which reads Rockefeller Forest - Lower Bull Creek Flat. Just past the sign, turn left down a steep road toward the Lower Bull Creek Flat parking area.

Shortcut: Take this shortcut, which reduces hiking time by 40 minutes each way, to visit Rocket Top when Bull Creek is low enough to wade across. Park at a turnout on the left/south side of Mattole Road near 40.34515 -123.95325.

Hike: GPS-assisted navigation is recommended for this hike. From the trailhead, hike past the Bull Creek Flats Trail sign to the Rockefeller Forest Loop Trail sign approximately 120 ft (36 m) from the parking lot. Turn right and hike southwest 0.2 mi (0.3 km) on Rockefeller Loop Trail then veer right at the Burlington sign toward the junction with Bull Creek Flats Trail North. Veer left at the trail junction, toward Bull Creek, and cross the seasonal footbridge, if available. Hike southwest/uphill 0.1 mi (0.2 km) on an unnamed trail to the junction with Bull Creek Flats Trail South. Turn right at the trail junction and hike northwest 1.0 mi (1.6 km) on Bull Creek Flats Trail South, across Tepee Creek, to the trail exit point near 40.34297 -123.95711. Leave the trail here and, using a GPS device, hike northeast/downhill 0.16 mi (0.26 km) off-trail to Rocket Top.

Shortcut: From the turnout on Mattole Road, hike south/downhill on an unnamed trail to the junction with Bull Creek Flats Trail North. Turn right at the trail junction and hike northwest 150 ft (46 m) on Bull Creek Flats Trail North to the trail exit point, near 40.34488 -123.95339, just past a short snag. Leave the trail here, cross Bull Creek, and, using a GPS device, hike southwest 250 ft (76 m) off-trail to Rocket Top.

Creek Warning: Rocket Top is not accessible from the Lower Bull Creek Flat parking lot or Mattole Road when Bull Creek has high water levels and the seasonal footbridge is not installed. It is best to visit Rocket Top from July through October when Bull Creek is low enough to wade across. To visit Rocket Top whenever Bull Creek is impassable, use the 1.9 mi (3.1 km) longer alternate route via Grasshopper Road instead.

View Rocket Top Tree location in Google Maps

Panorama: Click panorama to take a virtual tour of Rocket Top Tree

Photos: Pictures of Rocket Top Tree taken from different sides