Long Loop in Butano - I
10.5 miles     1500 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 Indian Trail (4.7 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) to reach a junction with Indian Trail.

To Entrance Kiosk (5.8 miles): From the intersection of Canyon Trail and Indian Trail, turn right on Indian Trail (0.5 miles) → right on 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. Indian Trail gains elevation to reach Olmo Fire Road. 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.

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.
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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