Portola Redwoods State Park

Featured hike
Mile:
0.0: Begin to the left of the ranger station, following the signs to Sequoia Nature Trail.
0.2: Junction. Bear left, toward Iverson Trail.
0.3: T junction. Turn right onto Iverson Trail.
0.7: Junction. Turn left onto Pomponio Trail.
1.7: Junction. Turn left onto Bridge Trail.
2.0: Junction with Snag Trail. Continue straight on Bridge Trail.
2.3: Junction. Bear left onto Old Haul Road.
2.4: Junction with Ridge Trail. Continue straight on Old Haul Road.
3.6: Multiple junction. Turn left onto the service road.
3.7: Junction. Turn left onto Iverson Trail. NOTE: this trail is often closed due to storm damage. If it's not navigable, take the service road back to the trailhead.
4.2: Junction. Turn left to Tiptoe Falls.
4.2: Tiptoe Falls and the end of this trail. Retrace your steps back to the previous junction.
4.3: Junction, again. This time bear left onto Iverson Trail.
4.4: Junction. Stay to the left on Iverson Trail.
4.6: Junction, again. Turn right and retrace your steps back to the trailhead.
4.9: Back at the trailhead.

Getting there:
From Interstate 280 in San Mateo County, exit #25 Woodside Road/CA84. Drive west about 6 miles to the junction with CA 35 (Skyline Boulevard). Turn left and drive south about 7 miles to the junction with Alpine Road. Turn right and drive west about 3 tortuous and winding miles on this narrow road (be especially careful for bicycle and motorcycle traffic on weekends). Turn left onto Portola State Park Road, and drive on the tiny and unpredictable road the remaining 3 miles to the entrance kiosk. Continue another .4 mile to the parking areas near the ranger station. If possible park in the Madrone lot (to the left just before the ranger station), or in the spots past the ranger station and across the bridge, on the right side of the road. (NOTE: do not be confused or tempted by the Alpine Road exit on Interstate 280. That section of Alpine Road deadends east of Skyline Boulevard.)

Read about this hike in more detail and view some photos at http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/portola.html

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© 2002 Jane Huber/Bay Area Hiker.