Gorgeous hike in Nisene Marks to Maple Falls and Sand Point Overlook.

Location: Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

» 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.

To Sand Point Overlook (6.6 miles): From George's Picnic Area, follow Aptos Creek Fire Road (0.4 miles) → left on West Ridge Trail (3.6 miles) to junction with Ridge Connection Trail. Continue along West Ridge Trail (0.5 miles) to junction with Big Stump Gap Trail. Continue along West Ridge Trail (1.6 miles) → right on Hinckley Basin Fire Road (0.5 miles) to reach a junction with Aptos Creek Fire Road. Sand Point Overlook is nearby.

To Maple Falls (9.7 miles): From Sand Point Overlook, follow Aptos Creek Fire Road going east (1.0 miles) to junction with White's Lagoon Road / Big Slide Trail. Continue along Aptos Creek Fire Road (3.3 miles) to reach a point called 'Bottom of Incline' (see trail map). Continue along Aptos Creek Fire Road (0.8 miles) to Mill Pond Trail. Continue along Aptos Creek Trail (0.2 miles) to Loma Prieta Mill Site. Continue along Aptos Creek Trail (0.3 miles) to a junction with Loma Prieta Grade. Turn right on Loma Prieta Grade (0.6 miles) to junction with Bridge Creek Trail. Turn left on Loma Prieta Grade (1.5 miles) to junction with Ridge Connection Trail. Turn right and continue along Loma Prieta Grade (1.4 miles) to Bridge Creek Historic Site. Turn left and follow an unnamed trail (0.7 miles) to Maple Falls.

To George's Picnic Area (3.9 miles): From Maple Falls, retrace your steps back along the unnamed trail that meanders all along Bridge Creek (0.7 miles) to reach Bridge Creek Historic Site. Continue along Bridge Creek Trail (1.3 miles) to reach a junction with Loma Prieta Grade. Continue along Loma Prieta Grade (0.6 miles) to reach a junction with Aptos Creek Fire Road. Continue along Aptos Creek Fire Road (1.3 miles) to return to George's Picnic Area. A short section of Aptos Creek Fire Road can be avoided by following Porter Trail instead (see trail map for its location).

Notes:

• Porter Trail requires a couple of creek crossings without bridges. Going north, the first crossing is very close to Aptos Creek Fire Road. If it looks challenging, you may retrace your steps back to Aptos Creek Fire Road and walk along the fire road, bypassing Porter Trail (see trail map for details).
• Bridge Creek Trail is absolutely gorgeous in winters, after rains. It is lush green with vegetation.
• The trail that meanders along Bridge Creek to reach Maple Falls has no bridges. It switches banks about 10 to 12 times, making it a fun hike when the creek is flowing with water! You are bound to get wet. At some of the crossings, we had to use our hands to cross the creek. The water level was never over 12 inches in January 2011.
• West Ridge Trail is a nice single track hiking trail, shaded by tall trees. At some locations, the trail is particularly scenic, cutting through steep hilly slopes.

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