Jean, Jennie, Lan and I hiked in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open
Space Preserve.
We started our hike in the northern parking lot. There's space
here for about 30-40 cars, and it was nearly full when we started
out at 11am.
The problem with hiking in Open Space Preserves is that bikes
are allowed on most trails. As such, they're very popular with
mountain bikers. We tried to follow the hikers-only paths where
possible.
We started on the hikers-only option for the North Ridge Trail.
It switchbacks its way amongst a dense forest. It didn't take
long before we got some views of the coast, the typical fog covering
the ocean. We continued our descent in the shade before returning
to the main North Ridge Trail, a fire trail open to bikes.
A mile from the parking lot we turned left onto the Whittemore
Gulch Trail. It starts off as a switchbacked descent with beautiful
unobstructed views of Half Moon Bay and the coast. The only problem
was the hot sun. Heat emanated from the trail. But soon enough
we entered forest cover and it was immediately cooler.
Looking up at the forest canopy
The disparity between the Coast Range and the Diablo Range is
clearly evident in late spring, summer, and fall. The Diablo Range
has a brief spring fling with greenery, but soon browns under
the scorching sun. The Coast Range, on the other hand, stays green
and lush all year round. We enjoyed the cover of the redwood trees
as we admired the vegetation and the beautiful piece of nature
we were walking through. Ferns and clovers lined both sides of
the trail. A creek flowed next to the trail. Wildflowers (including
the distinctive red columbine) and banana slugs were plentiful.
Even a mushroom or two.
The only downside was, of course, the bikers. That and the occasional
rude hiker. We were carefully passing through a muddy area when
a hiker came rushing by in the opposite direction and went SPLAT,
right in the mud, nearly splashing mud all over Jean's legs. Didn't
even think to stop to apologize.
When we reached the bottom of the Whittemore Gulch Trail, we stopped
to use the restroom there. A ranger was giving a ticket to a couple
of bikers; I'm not sure what the reason was, but they didn't look
happy. There's another parking lot here, and we could see a steady
trickle of hikers starting up the trail from here.
We went a bit up the Purisima Creek Trail before deciding to cross
the creek and have ourselves a picnic. We had a beautiful sight
-- tall redwoods in front of us, a nice flat spot, the sound of
water rushing by below us. After eating and resting we re-crossed
the creek and continued up the trail. It's another fire trail
open to bikers.
Jean amidst the redwoods
After about a mile we reached the Borden Hatch Mill Trail. There's
a sign there saying that a loop hike is not available because
the bridge is out. Some bikers came by complaining that it'd been
broken for 3 years and complained that someone should just fix
it. Having done some volunteer trail work the previous week, my reaction was that they should fix it themselves.
I bet they've never done any trail work in their lives, and they
shouldn't complain about the trail when they aren't even paying
for parking.
Ferns sliding off the hillside, dangling in the air
Looking up at the redwoods
Okay, enough preaching. Less than half a mile later we saw the
washed-out bridge. The trail is similar to the Whittemore Gulch
Trail. Just as beautiful. But uphill instead of down. 2.3 miles
from the bottom we reached the Soda Gulch Trail. This trail is
higher up, a bit removed from the creeks, and has a different
characteristic. Redwoods dominate the scene here. We shortly came
to a beautiful spot for a picnic. There's a wooden footbridge
nestled among a valley of ferns and other greenery surrounded
by towering redwoods. A few people were here, taking advantage
of it.
Bridge among the ferns
We lingered a bit before continuing our ascent. This trail (for
2.6 miles) is bike-free. Unfortunately, in places it's very narrow.
We emerged from the forest to be attacked by the hot sun again.
The trail narrowed in on us and we were soon pushing grasses away
from our legs. At least there aren't many thorns to speak of,
and this part of the trail is the exception, rather than the rule.
Mostly, we saw a lot of cow parsnip plants dotting the hillside.
After going in and out of forest, we popped out onto the Harkins
Ridge Trail. This is another fire trail open to bikes. We turned
right to begin our ascent back to the parking lot. This part,
along with the Soda Gulch Trail is part of the Bay Area Ridge
Trail, which is proposed to one day circle the entire bay (a little
over half of the trail is done).
The trail is mostly unshaded, but we soon found ourselves back
at the North Ridge Trail. We took the hikers-only path up as cool
coastal breezes cooled us in the shade. And then we were back
at the parking lot, where quite a few cars were still parked.
This is a beautiful hike which really isn't that far from "civilization".
Yet, when you're under the redwood forest canopy, you feel like
you're miles and miles away.
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