Introduction:
What? :
Redwood forest, high mountains and deep creeks.
Where?
: The park is located on the west slopes of Santa Cruz mountain ridge, west of skyline
road (hwy 35).
The main park entrance located north of the junction of Kings Mountain Road and hwy 35.
The
second one located 2.1 miles to the north on hwy 35, this is North Ridge trailhead.
The third park entrance is Higgins Road Trailhead on the lower section of the
park not so far from Half Moon Bay and hwy 1.
Google Map Link
When? :
Year round, this park is good for the summer because the large redwood protects
from the direct sun and create colder clime. During winter the dance redwood
trees protect from rain and wind.
Due note: I started my visit from Higgins Road Trailhead. This is the best point to start your hike but unfortunately there are only 6 parking spots!
Come early
morning or late afternoon.
Most people
do not find parking spot and park on the roadside, risking with getting ticket.
My
thoughts: I visit here on a rainy February day and enjoy it very much. I came
around 1pm so I manage to find parking spot (many cars parked on the roadside).
The redwoods protect me from the rain, the streams had running water and the
hike was great and not so muddy.
The
visit:
The park
mountain ridges, and two deep canyons are covered with dense second-growth
redwoods forest; The original redwood forest was logged in the late 1800s.
Main park
entrance and the North Ridge Trail trailhead located on Skyline Boulevard
(Highway 35), 4.5 miles south of the junction with Highway 92.
As I mentioned above, I started my hike at the lower west side section of the park. From hwy
1, south of Half Moon Bay take Verde road and keep into Purisima Creek road to park
small parking lot.
The hike:
I did 9
miles loop with 1,600f elevation gain.
The hike
starts at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains and climb all the way up to
Skyline Ridge, with a lot of climbing. I recommend doing the loop counterclockwise,
in that direction the trail start with an easy section that gradually climb up
along the river creek.
Starting
at the small trailhead heading to Purisima Creek trail. This is wide old
logging road maintained at good condition with few bridges crossing the stream
from side to side. The redwood forest here is in it best, towering above
covering the sky.
After a
short steep section, you will rich a small trail going to your left. Get into
the single-track Craig Britton Trail (formerly the Soda Gulch Trail). This is enjoyable
narrow trail, climbing gradually at hillside high above a creek below. You will
cross 2 major creeks and the trail will continue to climb up, out of the dense
forest. 4.8 miles from your starting point the trail will connect to Harkins
Ridge Trail (wide well-maintained fire road).
Here you
have the option to go down (left) on the Harkins Ridge Trail, hiking 2 miles
down the ridge will bring you back to the parking lot.
If you will
turn right, you will keep climbing for additional 1 mile until you will reach
North Ridge Trail (not so far from hwy 35 to your right).
Turn left
and soon you will start descending, after 0.5 mile take the single-track exit
on your left into Whittemore Trial. The trail is going above the main road and
after 0.6 mile you need to turn left and keep going down into the deep ravine
below.
From this
point additional 2.2 miles at the bottom of the creek will take you all the way
to the parking lot.
You can
connect to this loop hike also from the upper park parking lot, but this will
add additional mileage and climbing to your hike.
www:
https://www.openspace.org/preserves/purisima-creek-redwoods
http://www.redwoodhikes.com/Purisima/Purisima.html
Map:
https://www.openspace.org/sites/default/files/map_PCR.pdf
Pictures:
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