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mvslamo
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I would like to hike the Skyline to the Sea trial for the first time this spring. Does anyone have helpful trip planning tips? I would like information on trial heads, distances, and camping spots, and anything else I should know. Thanks
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Sam
Mountain View
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Total Posts: 2 | Joined Mar. 2009 | Posted on: 2:02 pm on Mar. 6, 2009 | IP
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FastHiker
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According to my map of Castle Rock:
“Skyline-to Sea Trail descends for 28.2 miles from Saratoga Gap (intersection of Hwy. 9 and 35) through Castle Rock and Big Basin Redwoods State Parks ending at Waddell State Beach. For Trail Camp reservations (required), location of overnight parking areas and information planning this hike, call Big Basin Redwoods State Park at (831) 338-8861. There are 3 major starting points on the trail system: Castle Rock parking lot, Big Basin HQ, and Waddell Beach”
Not sure why they don’t mention starting at Saratoga Gap. It sounds like that’s where the trail officially starts. There is a parking lot across the street. For some reason I thought it started at the Castle Rock parking lot. If you wanted to add some extra mileage you could also start at Sanborn County Park.
The places to camp I know of off hand are Waterman Gap Trail Camp (6.3 miles from Saratoga Gap or 9.3 miles from the Castle Rock parking lot), Big Basin, and Sunset Trail Camp.
Don’t know how far you plan to hike each day. Some people hike the whole thing in a day. Others may take 3 to 4 days.
Personally, I like the Toll Road Trail because you can’t hear the cars along highway 9. On the other hand, Toll Road doesn’t go by the Waterman Gap Trail camp and (unless they’ve added some trail signs) the trail isn’t well marked. All the “No Trespassing” signs near the bottom are a little confusing.
I suggest going to REI, one of the state parks, or some other sporting goods place and picking up the following 2 maps”
Sempervirens Fund Trail Map of the Santa Cruz Mountains – Map 1 & Map 2
I suppose you might be able to find them on Amazon.
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Fast Hiker
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Total Posts: 256 | Joined Nov. 2004 | Posted on: 8:30 pm on Mar. 7, 2009 | IP
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FastHiker
Member
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Personally, I think a more interesting hike is to start at Long Ridge Open Space along Skyline instead of Saratoga Gap or the Castle Rock parking lot. You aren’t next to the road like you are on Skyline to the Sea Trail. This route is probably a little longer.
From Long Ridge you hike down a very steep hill to Portola Redwoods State Park. I know there is at least one trail camp along the way or you could camp in one of the regular spots at Portola. It’s easier to get reservations at Portola than it is at Big Basin.
From there you go uphill through portions of Portola State Park and Pescadero Creek County Park and take the Basin easement trail, which takes you to Big Basin. I believe there is another trail camp at the other end of the easement trail.
The easement trail takes you through private property. The last time I was on the easement trail there was a confusing “No Trespassing” sign at the start of the trail. As I understand it, the sign doesn’t apply to the easement trail but an unofficial trail next to it.
Once you are in Big Basin you can connect to the good part of the Skyline to the Sea Trail. You could camp at Big Basin and again at Sunset Trail Camp.
(Edited by FastHiker at 7:09 am on Mar. 10, 2009)
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Total Posts: 256 | Joined Nov. 2004 | Posted on: 7:07 am on Mar. 10, 2009 | IP
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mvslamo
Member
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Thanks! I really appreciate the benefit of your knowledge.
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Sam
Mountain View
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Total Posts: 2 | Joined Mar. 2009 | Posted on: 10:00 am on Mar. 10, 2009 | IP
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baychic
Member
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I hiked this last Memorial Weekend. Did it with a group who divided the hike over three days. First day we hiked from Saratoga Gap to Waterman Gap (too short, but it worked); next day we hiked Waterman Gap to Big Basin Headquarters; final day was the longest: Big Basin Headquarters to Waddell Beach (we also included the waterfalls in Big Basin-Berry, Silver, and Gold). Awesome hike! I highly recommend it.
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Total Posts: 77 | Joined Jan. 2008 | Posted on: 11:12 pm on Mar. 17, 2009 | IP
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Bay Area Hiker Discussion Board
Skyline to the Sea Trail
