SAM McDONALD AND PESCADERO COUNTY PARKS

SAM McDONALD AND PESCADERO COUNTY PARKS

Hike Date:  Saturday, February 21, 2025

Hikeleader:  Larry Stites

Hikeleader Email:  larry.stites@gmail.com

Hikeleader Phone:  408-797-7088

Carpooling Meeting Locations:
SF: Whole Foods;  2001 Market St. @ Dolores (on the Dolores St. side); parking on the street or below.
Rockridge BART: Bottom of escalator.

Carpooling Meeting Times: SF: 8:40 AM;   Rockridge: 8:30AM 

Please only show up at the carpooling place if you've arranged to meet your ride or driver there.
 
Rating: Level 4

Elevation Gain: 1800'

Description:  (We attempted to do this hike in late December - after some huge storms and lots of downed trees.  Hopefully February we'll see clear paths!)
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, habitat of steelhead trout and the endangered marbled murrelet. 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. Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted in the preserve.

Parking Fee:  There is a $6 parking fee per car, cash only.

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.  And chocolate!

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 Departure Time: 10:15 AM

Total driving distance, there and back: 93 miles from SF;123 from Rockridge.

Passenger Carpool Fees from SF:  $14  From Rockridge BART: $19

(I will inform you of carpooling arrangements by late Thursday or early Friday.)