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 hike covers the same trails as did the hike last year and so much of the information contained for that hike still applies to this one. The reason for revisiting the same trails was to see first hand what the record breaking El Niņo storms of February 1998 had done both to the trails and to the natural features.

Because of the destruction of 3 of the 4 bridges crossing Fall creek, the difficulty factor is greatly increased if hiking before they are replaced. Hiking the complete loop will require 3 crossing of the creek. Two of these crossings have log alternatives, but could be risky. In all cases, we waded across the creek. This had its own hazards. In addition to getting wet, there is a possibility of the current sweeping your feet out from underneath you.

There is a positive side to El Niņo. The beauty of the full running Fall creek combined with a wealth of volunteer waterfalls provide scenic views that might not exist again for years to come.

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.