FOREST OF NISENE MARKS: MAPLE FALLS & LOMA PRIETA EPICENTER

FOREST OF NISENE MARKS: MAPLE FALLS & LOMA PRIETA EPICENTER

Hike Date:  Saturday, February 8, 2022

Leader:  Ron Gasparinetti

Leader Email:  ron@sfhiking.com

Leader Phone:  650 759-5345

Meeting Time:  8:15 AM

Departure Time:  Shortly after 8:15 AM

Rating: Level 3.5

Mileage:  8.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 1450'

Description:  Off the beaten path,The Forest of Nisene Marks is a refreshing and lush retreat with a bittersweet beauty.  Most of this redwood forest was cut by 1923.  But now the 2nd and 3rd growth redwoods rise once again from sea level to the steep coastal mountains.

The Marks family of Salinas deeded more than 9,000 acres to the State for use as a public park in 1963. The park is named for the family matriarch Nisene (a Danish name) Marks.

This hike is a loop with the possibility of two short out and back forays. Time, weather and any recent rainfall will determine whether we can do the forays.  They will lengthen the hike slightly.  We’ll park at George’s picnic area just outside the winter gate and proceed to climb up through the redwoods on the West Ridge Trail. If the creek isn't running too deep, we'll veer off onto the Ridge Connection Trail, bringing us to the Bridge Creek Trail and eventually, after walking along the creek for a bit, our lunch spot at Maple Falls.  Backtracking a little we take the Bridge Creek Trail again to our next offshoot from the main loop bringing us to the epicenter of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.  We continue west on the Loma Prieta grade trail passing the Porter House and the remains of the Loma Prieta Mill on the way back to the cars.  There are opportunities to shorten the hike if necessary.

This hike is on my personal list of top 5 South Bay Area hikes.  It is lush, green, wet, and just gorgeous all year round.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED A RIDE AND/OR CAN TAKE A PASSENGER, AND WHAT YOUR COMFORT LEVEL IS REGARDING PASSENGERS.

Bring / Wear:  Bring water, lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes.  Layered clothing is recommended.  There may be some scrambling over rocks and fallen trees.  The ground will be moist to muddy.  Part of the hike may require walking in shallow parts of the creek.  Poles are recommended.

Weather Policy:  Check with hikeleader in the event of questionable weather.

Alternate Meeting Place: If you'd prefer to meet us at the trailhead, take US-101 S to I-280 S to Ca-85 S. Take exit 11A to CA-17 S.  Take exit 1B to Rt 1-S.  Follow Ca-1 S to exit 435 State Park Dr. in Aptos. Make a left on State Park Dr., right on Soquel Dr., and then left on Aptos Creek Rd.  Continue on Aptos Creek Rd. until you come to George's Picnic Area.  Park there.
Google Maps Link  (Google says the parking area is permanently closed - Not true!)

Alternate Meeting Time:  10:00 AM

Alternate Meeting Departure Time: 10:15 AM

Total driving distance, there and back: 167 miles