TARWATER TO POMPONIO: PORTOLA REDWOODS & PESCADERO CREEK PARKS

TARWATER TO POMPONIO: PORTOLA REDWOODS & PESCADERO CREEK PARKS

Hike Date:  Saturday, June 8, 2024

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:  9.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 1850'

Description:  This hike was rained out in January, and again in March; Late Spring we should still see a fair number of flowers and plenty of water in the creeks!
I led this same hike in the winter a couple of years ago.  It was so popular it's time to offer it again.  The hike begins from a crazy remote parking area in the middle of nowhere in what is considered part of Pescadero Creek Park.  Almost immediately we're deep inside the redwood forest.  They remain with us all the way down into Portola Redwoods State Park.  Once on the canyon floor we'll be on the beautiful and mostly level Pomponio Trail until beginning our climb back up to the top via Bear Ridge, Canyon and Tarwater Trails - a fairly steady climb all the way up. Near the top we'll pass the most photogenic old barn ruin (photo above) you've ever seen.  All in all, it's a particularly beautiful hike. Lots of wildflowers will make this hike even nicer!  Sorry - dogs not allowed.

There's an option to reduce the length of the hike by 2 miles if the weather isn't cooperating.

Bring / Wear:  Please bring plenty of water (nowhere to fill up), lunch, sturdy hiking shoes.  The last mile is relatively exposed.

Weather Policy:  Check with hikeleader in the event of questionable weather.

Trailhead Meeting Place:
PLEASE DOWNLOAD YOUR MAP BEFORE LEAVING THE CITY!   
You can either take 280 or Skyline (#35).  If you're on 280, exit at Woodside Road (#84) and stay on Woodside Road all the way up to Skyline before turning left on Skyline going south for 7.2 miles to Alpine Road.
If you've taken Skyline it's about 22 miles before you hit Alpine.

Once at Alpine, turn right going west for about 4 miles.  At an intersection, Alpine Road makes a 90 degree right turn - but you don't!  Stay straight on what is now Camp Pomponio Road.  There's a very small sign on the left saying Pescadero Creek.  That's what you should take.  You WILL think you're lost and on someone else's property.  It's a fabulous single-lane, pothole-covered dirt road.  Small parking lot on the left at the end.  Here's a photo of your final turnoff (you'll take the upper one-lane country road):

Google Maps Link 

Trailhead Meeting Time:  10:15 AM

Trailhead Departure Time: 10:30 AM

Total driving distance, there and back: 100 miles

Passenger Carpool Fees from SF:  $13  From Rockridge BART: $18