![]() While the Saratoga Gap Trail had been fairly quiet, we began hearing constant gunshots here, the sound drifting over from a nearby gun club. ![]() The trail passed through a drier forest of madrone and oak here, with occasional lusher patches sporting ferns on the forest floor. This short cliff walk also marked the low elevation point of the hike.Īfter completing the cliff walk, we caught some final views before the Saratoga Gap Trail returned to the forest and then made a sharp turn around the ridge at 2.1 miles. Acrophobes may have a bit of trouble here but this stretch was really not as bad as it looked or sounds. ![]() Some rock scrambling was necessary here and a cable bolted to the rock provided a handhold for a narrow crossing over a cliff. Redwood-filled drainage of the San Lorenzo RiverĪt 2 miles, the trail crossed a very steep and rocky part of the mountain slope. Looking northwest along the Santa Cruz Mountains We enjoyed the constant views of the surrounding mountains. From this point, the Saratoga Gap Trail continued descending steadily over the next half mile through the chaparral covered slopes. ![]() Here, we could see some mountains that we hadn't been able to see earlier on the Saratoga Gap Trail, including heavily forested Butano Ridge. However, because almost all visitors do shorten their hike here, it's well worth it to continue onward on the Saratoga Gap Trail and enjoy the scenery on the farther loop, which sees minimal foot traffic.Īt 1.5 miles, we rounded a ridge and came to a great view to the northwest along the Santa Cruz Mountains. Almost all of the hikers that we saw here took the right fork and headed up the connector trail for a short loop: doing so trims this to a 3-mile loop hike. This meant that there was a nice bit of fall color here during our early December visit, with patches of yellow and red color in the bushes and trees.Īt 1.4 miles, the Saratoga Gap Trail came to a junction with a connector trail leading over to the Ridge Trail. While the forests below in the San Lorenzo watershed were lush and filled with redwoods, the southern slopes of Goat Rock were much drier, sporting oak trees and some deciduous bushes. Although the views were good, there were few places to stop and enjoy them: the trail was not terribly wide, there were lots of hikers, and the few outcrops and wide spots in the trail were mostly already occupied by other visitors. The many rocky outcrops of Goat Rock rose above the trail. Looking to the south, I soon realized that the views here extended beyond the local Santa Cruz Mountains: I could see all the way down to Monterey Bay and the Santa Lucia Mountains that form the backbone of the Big Sur region. Past the redwoods, we returned to the open slopes with wide views. Second growth redwoods just off the Saratoga Gap Trail The trail passed through a forest in a gulch at 1.1 miles here, a spur trail to the left descended briefly to visit a small grove of second growth redwoods, the only redwoods growing directly along the trail on this hike. View over the Santa Cruz Mountains from the Saratoga Gap Trail This waterfall could be worth seeing after heavy rainfall but otherwise is fine to skip. I was very unimpressed by the waterfall during my initial visit: it's simply a trickle down a smooth rock face. This platform was closed at the time of my second hike but had been open during a previous visit however, you're not missing much if it's closed. We stayed on the Saratoga Gap Trail to the left, continuing through the forest.Īt 0.6 miles, the trail passed by a viewing platform for Castle Rock Falls. Here, the Ridge Trail ascended off to the right while the Saratoga Gap continued a gradual descent to the left. We crossed a footbridge over Kings Creek and came to a second trail junction at 0.45 miles. ![]() At the junction, we took the right fork, which followed the Saratoga Gap Trail downhill along Kings Creek through some scenic woodlands. This trail- the Waterfall Connector Trail- then descended into the forest and joined with the Saratoga Gap Trail at 0.3 miles. Two trails lead out from the new parking area: we took the one on the right, which leaves from right next to the ranger kiosk and passes a picnic area. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |