So Many Hikes, So Little Time
Choosing a Mountain Hike
Neil Wiley
Our
mnn.net website
describes more than 33 hikes, and we hope to add many more. But sometimes
you can have too many choices. Here is a quick guide that may help you
select your next walk.
Best hikes for kids
Most children have a short attention span and a
relatively mild interest in scenery. They like action, animals, and short
walks. Wilder Ranch fills the bill on selected weekends, with a complement
of horses, goats, sheep, chickens, and other domestic animals. The July 4
celebration is the best of all, with lots of food, games, music, living
history, and a wonderful kids’ parade.
If your children want to see big, wild animals, Ano
Nuevo’s elephant seals provide a natural experience. Be sure to check
availability and schedule. Reservations are required during winter months,
and the park is closed to the public some times of the year.
What’s more fun than a train ride? You can make it a
special day with a hike around the short trail of redwoods in Henry Cowell
combined with a train ride just next door at Roaring Camp Big Trees.
Wading and swimming in the San Lorenzo River can be
fun, except in the winter after a storm. There are many swimming holes and
sandy beaches in Henry Cowell and down river to Santa Cruz.
Loch Lomond provides a kid-friendly boating and fishing
experience, with paddle boats and rowboats available for rent.
Best picnic spots
Loch Lomond is also a nice place for a picnic. You can find a number of
picnic tables above the lake, but even better, you can paddle over to an
island for a special treat.
The Black Road trail in Sanborn Park takes you to a
little lake, complete with picnic tables.
For a more sophisticated picnic (perhaps one without
children), the grounds and art of Villa Montalvo are beautiful. The
setting does, however, seem to call for champagne. To make the day
complete, you can add a longer hike, attend a performance at one of two
theatres, or visit the small art gallery.
Views
Every hike has its own special views. Do you like mountains? El Sereno
Open Space at the top of Montevina Road has spectacular views in virtually
every direction--views to the south of our own Santa Cruz Mountains, to
the east of Los Gatos and East Bay, and north up the peninsula. Long Ridge
Open Space has some lovely views over the coastal range.
Prefer ocean views? Hike up to the top of Wilder Ranch,
and then loop down to the ocean. Or take an easy walk up through the new
Moore Creek Preserve.
Like forest? See the redwoods of Big Basin, Henry
Cowell, or Portola Redwoods.
Best waterfalls
Although many of these parks have waterfalls, my own favorite is Berry
Creek Falls in Big Basin. It’s a long walk, but worth it. To see many
smaller waterfalls in less time, follow the waterfall loop in Uvas County
Park. Or walk up the creekside trails of Fall Creek.
Bird watching
You can’t beat Elkhorn Slough for bird watching,
especially during nesting season. To see hawks, your best bet may be along
the ridges of Castle Rock and Long Ridge Open Space.
Best place to take out-of-state visitors
Nothing shows off the environmental beauty of our area
more than giant redwoods. Both Henry Cowell and Big Basin feature short
self-guided tours along a flat trail of less than a mile. Henry Cowell is
less famous but closer.
A sense of history
To explore old building sites with rich histories,
visit Pogonip, Mount Madonna Park, or Bear Creek Open Space.
Seeking solitude
Almost any of these parks will give you a quiet escape
from urban life, especially if you plan your hike for a weekday. I’ve
visited some of these parks and not seen another person. Although the
biggest park, Big Basin, is large enough to promise solitude, it is also
popular, especially among foreign tourists. Instead, you might want to go
to one of the lesser known parks, such as Butano or Portola, then hike
away from the entrance. The deeper you go, the quieter it gets.
Unique experience
Although each forest has its own character, they do
share some similarities. For a different experience, I recommend hiking
the Sierra Azul. Hiking over the open high plateau is like visiting
another planet. This area adds new meaning to the phrase "open space."
Then again, each hike is a unique experience. The
weather, the season, and the attitude of the hikers makes each walk down a
trail different. Who knows what you may find? Perhaps yourself.
For more comprehensive park and trail descriptions,
select specific trail articles at our website opening page.
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