HENRY COWELL REDWOODS: BIG ROCK HOLE TRAIL TO SAN LORENZO RIVER CROSSING

HENRY COWELL REDWOODS: BIG ROCK HOLE TRAIL TO SAN LORENZO RIVER CROSSING

Hike Date:  Saturday, August 12, 2023

Leader:  Gary Weiss

Leader Email:  gary@sfhiking.com

Leader Phone:  415-279-5570

Meeting Time:  8:30 AM

Departure Time:  Shortly after 8:30 AM

Rating: Level 3

Mileage:  7.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 1450'

Description:  We did this hike last July, and it was so incredibly much fun I thought we'd do it again.  This part of Henry Cowell Redwoods has some spectacular - mostly second-growth - redwoods plus a few scattered old-growth specimens.  We'll pass through a sandy hill (shark's teeth and sand dollars were found here - evidence that this area, 800' above sea level was once underwater - - before I was born) past some amazing Ponderosa and Knobcone Pines.  We'll stop at an observation deck at the top of the hill.  It's fairly exposed in this area which apparently suffered dramatically from the recent Santa Cruz Mountains fire.  From the deck we should be able to see the Monterey Peninsula and all the surrounding mountains as well as parts of Santa Cruz.  But, in my opinion, the most fun part of the hike will be two river crossings.  Not difficult if you have poles - or really good balance and/or water sandals.  During the second crossing you'll be walking in water almost up to your knees!  It's possible that by mid August it'll be a bit shallower, but given the amount of rainfall this past winter...  The photo above shows half of the second crossing.  I'll bring a second set of poles for someone to use.  Bring a towel to wipe off your feet! 
We start out on a wide, level dirt path for the first mile.  This is usually as far as the hoards go.  On most of the remaining trails we won't see a soul. 

After we get back to the parking area the plan is to walk among a large grove of old-growth redwoods.  The area where the trees are is completely level.  Any distance hiked here would be added to the above.  Any distance walked among the redwoods would be additional to the mileage above - but super easy.

Here are a couple of our intrepid hikers braving the river crossing:

And here are some "unidentified" folks who apparently could not read the sign that said: "Danger: do not mount the trestle!"

Bring / Wear:  Please bring LOTS of water, lunch, sunscreen, a hat, sturdy hiking shoes, poles and a towel to wipe your feet.

Weather Policy:  If the weather is too hot I may change the route.

Trailhead Meeting Place: North Big Trees Park Rd Parking/Henry Cowell Redwoods.  From SF Take 280 South, 85 South and 17 South. Exit 17 on Mt. Hermon Road. Turn right on Graham Hill Rd and an immediate left onto Hwy 9.  Shortly you'll see the left turn onto N. Big Trees Park Rd into the park.  The lot is just up the road from the pay area.  There's an overflow lot nearby.  There's also cell service there!  From the parking area look for the big sign that says "restrooms" - actually a row of porta-potties.  We'll meet just beyond them under the redwoods.    Google Maps Link

Trailhead Meeting Time:  10:00 AM

Trailhead Departure Time: 10:15 AM

Total driving mileage to and from San Francisco: 150 miles

Entrance Fee: $10 per car / $9 for seniors