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

Location: Butano State Park

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

» 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.

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 an intersection with Indian Trail.

To Entrance Kiosk (4.4 miles): From the intersection of Canyon Trail and Indian Trail, continue along Indian Trail (0.5 miles) → right onto 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 (0.4 miles) → left on unknown trail (0.4 miles) to Ben Ries Campground. Cut through the campground and continue along Six Bridges Trail (0.4 miles) to junction with Olmo Fire Road. Continue along Six Bridges Trail (0.7 miles) to reach 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. 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.

Forested trail through redwoods.

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

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

Beautiful, shaded trail through redwoods

Gorgeous trail running next to Little Butano Creek.