A shaded route amid redwoods, through West Ridge, Loma Prieta and Bridge Creek Trails.
Location: Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Notes: The first 0.3 miles of the hike could not be recorded by my GPS watch.
» Official Brochure: Official Trail Map with details of both Forest of Nisene Marks and Soquel Demonstration Forest. The area close to Entrance Station in Forest of Nisene Marks is shown enlarged. Trail lengths are missing in this map.
» PeasePress Map: Trails of Santa Cruz: Excellent quality map showing various parks in the Santa Cruz area.
Route: From George’s Picnic Area: Road (0.4 + 0.7 miles) → Loma Prieta Grade (0.6 + 0.1 miles) → Bridge Creek Trail (1.4 miles) → Big Stump Gap Trail (1.2 + 0.5 miles) → Ridge Connection Trail (0.4 miles) → Ridge Trail (1.6 + 1.8 miles) → road (0.4 miles).
Notes: The hike may be made longer by one mile by adding a side-trip to Maple Falls along Bridge Creek Trail. Maple Falls is spectacular after persistent rains or thunderstorms from December to March.
Large-sized Google Map
Location: Along Aptos Creek Road, about one mile north of intersection of Aptos Creek Road and Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA. Near 'Steel Bridge' and 'Winter Gate' in the official map. . No street address. Parking area is not visible in Google Maps.
Directions: From Highway 17 going south, go along CA-1 South. After about six miles, take Exit 435 for State Park Drive towards Aptos. Soon after the exit, turn left onto State Park Drive. After 0.3 miles, take the second right onto Soquel Drive. In half a mile, you will reach the intersection of Soquel Drive and Aptos Creek Road in Aptos, CA. Turn left onto Aptos Creek Road and drive about a mile to reach the Park Entrance kiosk where you would have to pay entrance fees. Drive another mile to reach George's Picnic Area, which is near 'Steel Bridge' and 'Winter Gate' in the official map.
Google Maps:
Parking Fees: $8 per vehicle (last visited: March 2014)
Capacity: About 15 cars
Latitude: 36.997309 Longitude: -121.906507
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