XMAS IN THE REDWOODS: SAM McDONALD AND PESCADERO COUNTY PARKS
Hike Day & Date: Saturday, December 23, 2023
Leader: Robert Hood
Leader Email: robertcmhood@gmail.com
Leader Phone: 415-619-1266
Meeting Location (ONLY IF you've arranged for a ride in SF): Whole Foods;
2001 Market St. @ Dolores (on the Dolores St. side); parking on the street or below.
Meeting Time: 8:45 AM, departing shortly afterwards
Rating Level-4
Mileage: 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 2000'
Description: San Mateo County’s Sam McDonald and Pescadero Creek Parks seem a world away from the urban Bay Area. This scenic loop passes through lush old growth redwood forests, traverses ridge top meadows with expansive views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, and drops into the primeval Pescadero Creek watershed. The route follows Heritage Grove Trail to the western portion of Brook Loop Trail and, after a short diversion on the Pomponio Trail for lunch in primordial Parke Gulch, returns via the eastern portion of Brook Loop Trail then the Ridge Loop and Big Tree Trails.
Bring / Wear: Bring your lunch, water (at least two liters), hat, sunscreen, sturdy hiking shoes, windbreaker, insect repellant as there can be mosquitos where we have lunch (even in the drought); long pants are strongly recommended as a precaution against poison oak. Weather Policy: Canceled in the event of heavy rain.
Trailhead Meeting Place: Sam McDonald County Park parking lot: I-280S to CA-92 W (toward Half Moon Bay), 2 miles west then left onto CA-35/Skyline Blvd (watch carefully for on-coming traffic) and 12 miles to junction of CA-84. Right onto CA-84 and west 7 miles, left onto Pescadero Road and southeast 1.1 miles, then veer right at the junction of Pescadero Road and Alpine Road. In 0.6 mile, entrance to Sam McDonald County Park is on the right. Watch carefully for the entrance sign. It's easy to miss. Google: “Sam McDonald County Park, 13435 Pescadero Creek Road, Loma Mar, CA 94021”
Google Maps Link
Trailhead Meeting Time: 10:00 AM
Trailhead Meeting Departure Time: 10:15 AM
Total driving distance, there and back from SF: 95 miles. Rockridge: 124 mi.
Passenger Carpool Fees from SF, incl entr fee: $14; from Rockridge: $17
DRIVERS: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE $6 PARKING FEE IN CASH
Level-1
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Level-2 |
Level-3 |
Level-4 |
Level-5 |
|
easiest
< 5 miles
< 500' gain
|
moderately easy
5-7 miles
< 1000' gain |
moderate
7-9 miles
< 1500' gain
|
strenuous
9-12 miles
< 2000' gain
|
very strenuous
12-15+ miles
>2000' gain |
