Hikes in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
1 Jan 2012
Henry Cowell is a gem of a park north of Santa Cruz. The park has two sections. Fall Creek is the northern section, less developed with fewer visitors. No loop going through the 2.3-mile Fall Creek Trail shall disappoint you. The southern section is more developed and touristy. However, it offers the unique experience of hikes that require wading through knee-deep water in San Lorenzo river multiple times.

Notes: In Dec 2010, after heavy rains, some of the bridges along Fall Creek Trail had been washed away. So we had to wade through cold water to cross Fall Creek. In Jan 2012, there had hardly been any rain during the last two months, so all bridges were intact. Cell phone coverage was missing in 2011 in the southern entrance. Cell phone coverage was choppy at Park HQ in summers of 2012.

List of Hikes
8.0 miles
1400 ft
Two River Crossings - Route I
Shaded hike through redwoods and with two river crossings.

7.2 miles
1400 ft
Two River Crossings - Route II
Shaded hike through redwoods and with two river crossings. Goes via the Observation Deck which is the highest point in Henry Cowell

7.0 miles
1500 ft
Four River Crossings - Route I
A fantastic hike through shaded redwoods that requires four river crossings through knee-deep water. Doable only in late summer when water level is low.

7.3 miles
1400 ft
Four River Crossings - Route II
A fantastic hike through shaded redwoods that requires four river crossings through knee-deep water. Doable only in late summer when water level is low.

10.2 miles
1400 ft
Grand Loop in Pogonip Preserve with River Crossings
An interesting hike through varied terrain. Mostly shaded. Two river crossings across San Lorenzo river in the adjoining Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

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