Short Loop in Pogonip Preserve
4.2 miles     700 ft
16 Sep 2012
Summary

Short loop through varied terrian including forests and grasslands.

Location: Pogonip PreserveHarvey West Park

Elevation Profile
Trip Planning

Trail Maps

» Official Trail Map: Good map showing various hiking trails. Contour information and mileage of individual sections is missing.

» Redwood Hikes Map: Annotated trail map of San Lorenzo Valley that shows many parks, not just Henry Cowell. This is an excellent map sold by Dave Baselt ($6.95 in Jan 2012).

Route

Trail Maps: The route has innumerable junctions, some of which are unmarked. So textual directions below are not sufficient. Having a good trail map is important. I found the Redwood Hikes Map for San Lorenzo Valley very useful. It has clearly marked trails and intersections.

Route in brief: From the Buckeye Picnic Area in Harvey West Park, follow an unnamed trail (0.4 miles) that goes next to a creek and meanders high up amid the hills overlooking Harvey West Park. The trail descends back down to the park. Turn left and follow unnamed trails (0.4 miles) towards Pogonip Preserve. Follow Harvey West Trail (0.3 miles) → Lookout Loop Trail (0.2 miles) → Pogonip Creek Nature Loop (0.2 miles) to reach a paved road. Follow Pogonip Creek Nature Loop (0.3 miles) parallel to the road → Prairie Trail (0.2 miles) → left on Brayshaw Trail (0.2 miles) to reach a five-way intersection. Follow Spring Trail (0.7 miles) → Lookout Trail (0.4 miles) → right on Harvey West Trail (0.3 miles) → walk through Harvey West Park (0.5 miles) to reach the parking lot near Buckeye Picnic Area.

Notes: The initial section of the route goes through a beautiful redwood trail behind Harvey West Park. The trails through Pogonip are initially shaded. Pogonip Creek Nature Loop and Prairie Trail are in the open. The rest of the trails are shaded.

Trailhead

Location: 326 Evergreen Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 . Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: None (last visited: September 2012)

Capacity: Dozens of cars may be parked here.

Latitude: 36.981942     Longitude: -122.035946

Harvey West Park
Pogonip Preserve
© Copyright 2008—2023, Gurmeet Manku.