General Information

User Groups:

Hikers and Horses. No dogs or mountain bikes are allowed. No wheelchair facilities.

Subjective Trail Rating for Beauty and Difficulty:

This is a wonderful hike almost anytime of the year. Fall creek runs year around and because of its granite streambed, it is much like a stream in the Sierra. It babbles along in such a happy manner that it is guaranteed to cheer you up no matter what your mood.
It is downhill from the parking lot to Fall Creek via Benett trail. Fall Creek trail itself is an easy uphill hike as it follows the creek. The crossings have rustic bridges that have been constructed from halved logs that stretch across the creek. This provides a fairly secure footing for most hikers. The ascent on Cape Horn trail is a bit more aggressive, but still is not overly difficult. After arriving at the kilns, it is down hill back to Benett trail. Perhaps the worst part of the hike is knowing that you must hike back up Benett trail to get back to the parking lot.

Permits:

No permits are required.

Directions:

From San Jose, take Highway 17 south toward Santa Cruz and take the Mount Hermon exit in Scotts Valley. Take Mount Hermon road through Scotts Valley to the town of Felton. Continuing past Highway 9, the road now becomes the Felton-Empire grade. Go about 1/2 mile and turn right into the parking lot. Caution, it is very easy to miss this turn.

Maps:

Write Henry Cowell Park for a trail map. To obtain a USGS topographic map of the area, ask for Felton.

Who to contact:

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, 101 North Big Trees Road, Felton, CA 95018: (tel) 408-335-4598.