CASTLE ROCK STATE PARK
Leader: Gary Weiss
Leader Email: garysfx@gmail.com
Leader Phone: 415-279-5570
Meeting Date and Day: Saturday, Oct 13 2018
Meeting Time: 9:30 AM
Departure Time: 9:45 AM
Meeting Place: Meet under the Safeway sign at Market & Dolores - to the left of See's Candies - PLEASE CARPOOL!
Rating: Level-3
Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1250'
Description: Castle Rock State Park is known for its "tafoni" or Swiss-cheese rock formations, and having about the highest elevation in the Santa Cruz mountains, outstanding views of the mountains and the Pacific. We'll begin at the Summit Rock/Skyline parking area, then go up Skyline to the main park entrance parking area on Skyline/Highway 35. We'll then head up to Castle Rock itself, then follow the Saratoga Gap, Ridge, Loghry Woods Trails to make a beautiful loop through the park. There are several incredible rock formations along the way, and view points that we'll hike out to. The park has some enormous madrones, live and California black oaks and Douglas firs. We'll be in the shade for about 90% of the hike. Hopefully we'll have some clear skies to take advantage of the views. If the ground is overly wet and slippery I may substitute another hike, also in the Santa Cruz mountains, for this one.
Bring/Wear: Bring plenty of water, lunch, snacks, hiking shoes with good treads, sunscreen, layers and insect repellent.
Rain Policy: Contact hike leader if weather is questionable
Driving Distance: 107 miles total, there and back.
Total Bridge Tolls and Entry Fees: No tolls. If off-road parking becomes unavailable drivers can park in the large main parking lot. Driver and passengers should then split the $8 parking fee.
Carpooling Fee: $13.00 each.
Alternative Meeting Place #1: We'll meet at the Summit Rock/Skyline Trail Parking Area on Skyline/Highway 35, around 1.4 miles south of Saratoga Gap/Big Basin Way/Highway 9. Parking is in short supply. If this smaller lot is full we can try the main lot which is 1.2 miles farther south on the right. After you've passed the Saratoga Gap/Highway 9 intersection, start looking on the left (east) for the dirt parking area. The sign says something like: Sanborn/Skyline/Summit Rock. Google Maps link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Parking+Summit+Rock/@37.2413703,-122.1059509,19.03z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x808e4cb8a4cd75d7:0x935e7127f159670c!2sParking+Summit+Rock!8m2!3d37.2413676!4d-122.1057673!3m4!1s0x808e4cb8a4cd75d7:0x935e7127f159670c!8m2!3d37.2413676!4d-122.1057673
PLEASE CARPOOL!
Alternative Meeting Time: 11:00AM
Alternative Meeting Departure Time: 11:15 AM
