Ray Linder Memorial - Route IV
13.9 miles     2900 ft
15 Dec 2012
Summary

Awesome hike through varied terrain in Butano, including redwoods, creeks and ridges.

Location: Butano State Park

Elevation Profile
Trailhead

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

Trip Planning

Trail Maps

» 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.

Route

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 (7.3 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) → left on Goat Hill Trail (0.5 miles). Continue to Candleabra Trail (1.7 miles) to Gazos Creek Road. Retrace your steps back to Olmo Fire Road. Turn left on Olmo Fire Road (0.2 miles) → continue along Ano Nuevo Trail (1.2 miles) to return to 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. Ano Nuevo Trail is particularly steep, losing 800 ft in 0.8 miles as it descends to entrance kiosk.

Jackson Flats Trail

Forested trail through redwoods.

Full photo album — 15 December 2012

Photos are from a different hike with similar landscape: Ray Linder Memorial - Route I.
Canyon Trail

Through thick forests, creek crossings and sometimes offers panoramic valley views.

Full photo album — 15 December 2012

Photos are from a different hike with similar landscape: Ray Linder Memorial - Route I.
Ray Linder Memorial Trail

A short loop through forest

Full photo album — 15 December 2012

Photos are from a different hike with similar landscape: Ray Linder Memorial - Route I.
Olmo Fire Road

Gorgeous valley views along the eastern section of the fire road, between Butano Fire Road and Indian Trail. The western section is wooded.

Full photo album — 15 December 2012

Photos are from a different hike with similar landscape: Ray Linder Memorial - Route I.
Doe Ridge Trail

Beautiful, shaded trail through redwoods

Full photo album — 15 December 2012

Photos are from a different hike with similar landscape: Ray Linder Memorial - Route I.
Butano Creek Trail

Gorgeous trail running next to Little Butano Creek.

Full photo album — 15 December 2012

Photos are from a different hike with similar landscape: Ray Linder Memorial - Route I.
Nature

Full photo album — 15 December 2012

Photos are from a different hike with similar landscape: Ray Linder Memorial - Route I.
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