Castle Rock Hike from Saratoga Gap - Route XIII
15.4 miles     2000 ft
14 Nov 2010
Summary

Great hike through quiet, shaded trails in Castle Rock.

Location: Castle Rock State ParkSaratoga Gap Open Space Preserve

Elevation Profile
Trip Planning

Trail Maps

» Official Trail Map: Good for trails near Park HQ. Other trails are not shown in this map.

» Official Trail MAp: Shows all parts of the park. Mileage and contour information missing.

» 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

Saratoga Gap / Long Ridge (3.8 miles): From the trail head, follow Saratoga Gap Trail (1.7 miles) → Bay Area Ridge Trail (0.3 miles) to reach Highway 35. Cross over the highway. Then enter Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. Follow Bay Area Ridge Trail (0.1 miles) → Achistaca Trail (1.7 miles).

To Castle Rock Park HQ (8.5 miles): Turn left on Skyline to the Sea Trail (0.5 miles) → Saratoga Toll Road (2.3 miles) → left on Travertine Springs Trail (2.0 miles) → right Saratoga Gap Trail (3.3 miles) → right on Castle Rock Loop (1.0 miles) to reach Castle Rock Park HQ.

To Saratoga Gap Trailhead (3.1 miles): From Castle Rock Park HQ, cross over to the other side of Hwy 35 and turn left onto Skyline Trail (3.1 miles) to reach Saratoga Gap trailhead.

Photos
Trailhead

Location: Intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 35 (Skyline Blvd) . Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: From Highway 85, take Exit 14 for Saratoga Ave going south. After 1.8 miles, continue along Big Basin Way (Highway 9) for 7.3 miles to reach the junction with Highway 35 (Skyline Blvd)

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: None (last visited: October 2010)

Capacity: About 20 cars.

Latitude: 37.258513     Longitude: -122.121955

© Copyright 2008—2023, Gurmeet Manku.