Featured hike
Mile:
0.0: Start at the edge of the parking lot, on paved Redwood Grove Loop Trail.
0.4: The far end of the loop. Bear right, then pass to the right of a gate marked with a small sign pointing right, "to River Trail."
0.4: The broad dirt path ends at an unsigned junction with Pipeline Road. Turn left.
0.5: River Trail doubles back to the right, at a signed junction. Continue to the left on Pipeline Road.
0.6: River Trail breaks off to the right. Bear right on River Trail.
0.7: A connector feeds in from the left -- continue to the right on River Trail.
0.8: Junction just past Cable Car Beach. Continue straight, now on Eagle Creek Trail.
0.9: Eagle Creek Trail crosses Pipeline Road at a signed junction. Continue straight.
1.7: Multiple junction. Take the first right onto Pine Trail.
2.1: Pine Trail bends right at a signed junction not far from the campground. Follow the trail to the right.
2.3: Observation deck and multiple junctions. Turn right, pass a drinking fountain on the right and to the left, a small sign reading "Ridge Fire Road to Pipeline Road."
2.8: Ridge Fire Road meets Pipeline Road at a signed junction. Continue straight on Ridge Fire Road.
3.0: Ridge Fire Road ends at a signed junction with Rincon Fire Road. Turn right.
3.2: River Trail begins on the left -- an optional return route if open. Continue straight on Rincon Fire Road.
3.3: Connector to River Trail. Continue straight on Rincon Fire Road.
3.6: T junction. Turn left onto Pipeline Road.
3.7: A previously encountered junction with Eagle Creek Trail. Continue straight on Pipeline Road.
4.4: Just past the trestle, you'll have an option to walk on River Trail, or continue on paved Pipeline Road. Both lead back to the trailhead.
4.7: Back at the trailhead.
Getting there:
From CA 17 in Santa Cruz County, exit Mt. Hermon Road. Drive northwest on Mt. Hermon Road through Scotts Valley to the end of the road in Felton (about 3.5 miles). Turn right onto Graham Hill Road, get into the left lane, and turn left onto CA 9. Drive about 0.5 mile south on CA 9, then turn left into the signed park entrance road. Drive about 0.5 mile to the entrance kiosk, then continue straight 0.1 mile to the main parking lot, at the end of the road.
GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude
Longitude
(* based on Google Earth data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Read about this hike in more detail and view photos at http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/henrycowell.html
© 2002 Jane Huber/Bay Area Hiker