HENRY COWELL STATE PARK - FALL CREEK UNIT

HENRY COWELL STATE PARK - FALL CREEK UNIT

Hike Date:  Saturday, October 19, 2024

Leader:  Ron Gasparinetti

Leader Email: ron@sfhiking.com

Leader Phone:  650 759-5345

Hike Rating: Level 4

Hike Mileage:  10.3 miles

Elevation Gain:  1969'

Description:  The Fall Creek portion of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a densely wooded park in the Santa Cruz mountains north of Santa Cruz.  Fall Creek itself - especially after some rains - is strikingly beautiful.  We'll start our hike along Fall Creek and then catch the recently reopened Lost Empire Trail to the summit of our hike and an enormous old-growth redwood named Big Ben where we'll have lunch. Evidence of the devastating CZU Lightning Complex Fire, that closed this section of Henry Cowell SP for 2 years, will be obvious. After descending from this high point, we'll pass an old barrel mill, abandoned lime kilns and a powder magazine as we walk along the creek for the remainder of our trip back to the cars. Here is an Alltrails link of the proposed route.

Bring / Wear:  Please bring LOTS of water, lunch, sturdy hiking shoes, bug spray and hiking poles if you use them. There are several water crossings and we may run across some eroded trail.  Most of this hike is shaded.  

Weather Policy:  Canceled in the event of heavy rain. 

Pet Policy for this hike: Henry Cowell State Park is not dog friendly.

Ready to join the hike?  Here are the meeting options:

• SF Meeting Location:  Whole Foods (map) @ 2001 Market Street.  Meet on the Dolores Street side.  There's parking on the street.

SF Meeting Time:  8:45 AM (departure shortly thereafter).

• East Bay Meeting Location:  Rockridge BART station (map).  Meet at the bottom of the escalators.  There's free and ample parking.

East Bay Meeting Time:  8:30 AM (departure shortly thereafter).

Not a member of the SFHC and want to join this hike? Contact the hikeleader so we know you're joining us and to arrange for ride-sharing (if needed).  Non-members are required to sign a release of liability form before participating in the hike.

NOTE: I'll reach out to those registered who have indicated that they need/want a ride or can take passengers.  If you need to contact me for whatever reason, please do so before Friday @ 3:00 PM the day before the hike.  Please only show up at Whole Foods or the Rockridge BART station if you have a ride arranged ahead of time Please note Carpool Fees below.

Trailhead Meeting Location: Main Parking Lot-860 Felton Empire Rd. (map) Carpooling is highly encouraged - this is a small lot that fills up quickly.               

Trailhead Meeting Time: 10:00 AM (The hike will begin at 10:15am)

Roundtrip driving distance: From SF 150 miles.  From Rockridge 150 miles

Carpool Fees (per passenger):  From SF $19   From Rockridge $19 

Entrance Fee: No entrance fee for this location