Awesome hike through varied terrain in Butano, including redwoods, creeks and ridges.
Location: Butano State Park
Large-sized Google Map
Location: 1500 Cloverdale Road, Pescadero, CA 94060 . Parking area is not visible in Google Maps.
Google Maps:
Parking Fees: $10 per vehicle (last visited: Nov 2010)
Capacity: About a dozen cars.
Latitude: 37.201783 Longitude: -122.339287
» Official Trail Map: Acceptable quality map but does not have mileage information of diferent trail sections.
» Redwood Hikes Map for Butano: An awesome map by Dave Baselt. Thanks, Dave! This map also shows the 1.7 mile long Candleabra Trail, which is missing in the official trail map.
» Redwood Hikes Map: Bay Area Trail Map: Saratoga to Big Basin, First edition, 2010. This is an excellent map sold by Dave Baselt ($6.95 in Dec 2011). This map is useful for exploring many parks in this area. Highly recommended for avid hikers.
To Ray Linder Memorial Trail (6.6 miles): From the parking lot behind the entrance kiosk, follow Jackson Flats Trail (0.8 miles) to intersection with Mill Ox Trail. Continue along Jackson Flats Trail (1.4 miles) to intersection with Canyon Trail. Turn right onto Canyon Trail (2.5 miles) → left on Indian Trail (0.5 miles) to reach an intersection with a sign saying "Butano Trail Camp" to the left and "Olmo Fire Road" to the right. Turn left at this junction to go through Trail Camp (0.1 miles) with campsites marked 1 thru 8. This short trail connects with Butano Fire Road. Turn right on Butano Fire Road (there was no sign marking the fire road) (0.4 miles) to reach an intersection with Olmo Fire Road. Continue along Butano Fire Road. Within a dozen steps, there is a sign on the left for Ray Linder Memorial Trail (0.7 miles) which loops back onto Butano Fire Road. Turn right (0.2 miles) to return to the intersection between Butano Fire Road and Olmo Fire Road.
To Entrance Kiosk (6.3 miles): From the intersection of Butano Fire Road and Olmo Fire Road, start descending along Olmo Fire Road (1.0 miles) to reach an interesction with Indian Trail. Continue along Olmo Fire Road (0.3 miles) → right on Doe Ridge Trail (keep an eye out for this intersection) (1.7 miles) → right on Goat Hill Trail (0.5 miles) → right on Butano Creek Trail 0.6 miles) to reach a bridge over Butano Creek. Cross the bridge and continue along Butano Creek Trail (1.4 miles) to reach a paved road. Turn right on the paved road (0.1 miles) → left on Olmo Fire Trail, then an immediate right onto Six Bridges Trail (0.7 miles) to reach the entrance kiosk.
Notes: In Dec 2012, the western section of Jackson Flats Trail presented many obstacles. A storm had felled many trees. All other trails were in excellent condition. Jackson Flats Trail goes through a forest, completely shaded. Canyon Trail goes through a combination of forest cover and valley views. When it nears the Indian Trail, it starts gaining elevation. Indian Trail gains elevation to reach Butano Fire Road, which also continues to gain elevation until it reaches the intersection with Olmo Fire Road. Ray Linder Memorial Trail is a decent trail, similar to Jackson Flats Trail. On the way back to the entrance kiosk, Olmo Fire Road offers great views of Santa Cruz Mountains in the south. Doe Ridge Trail is a fantastic trail going through redwoods. Butano Creek Trail is another fine trail that meanders next to Little Butano Creek, crossing it a few times.
Through thick forests, creek crossings and sometimes offers panoramic valley views.
Gorgeous valley views along the eastern section of the fire road, between Butano Fire Road and Indian Trail. The western section is wooded.
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