Wilder Ranch State Park

Featured hike
Mile:
0.0: Start at the edge of the parking lot near the restrooms, on a paved trail, following the signs to the historic buildings and backcountry trails.
0.1: Paved trail joins a service road. Turn right.
0.1: Junction. Turn left and head through the historic area.
0.4: Tunnel under Highway 1. Welcome to the backcountry.
0.5: Two part junction. Bear left each time, onto Wilder Ridge Loop Trail.
1.3: Junction. Continue straight/right.
2.0: Junction with Twin Oaks Trail. Turn right.
2.6: Undersigned fork. Stay to the right.
2.8: Junction with Eucalyptus Loop Trail. Turn left.
3.0: First in a series of confusing junctions. Turn left, and after a few steps, left again.
3.2: More junction madness. Turn left onto Wilder Ridge Loop Trail.
3.3: At a horseshoe bend, junction with other leg of Twin Oaks Trail. Continue to the right on Wilder Ridge Loop Trail.
3.8: Junction with Zane Gray Cutoff. Turn right.
4.6: Zane Gray Cutoff ends at Wilder Ridge Loop Trail. Continue straight/left.
6.4: Familiar junction. Turn right and retrace your steps back to the trailhead.
7.6: Back at the trailhead.

Getting there:
From Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County (about 6.5 miles south of Davenport/6 miles south of Bonny Doon Road), turn right into the park. Proceed past the entrance kiosk to the parking lot.


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

© 2002 Jane Huber/Bay Area Hiker.