WEEKLY

WALKER

By Tom Davids

Rocks, Trees, Sky, Sea

El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve

"There is all the difference between seeing things and seeing nothing. Many travelers who see things really see nothing, and many who see nothing see a great deal."Lin Yutang

Directions: On Skyline Boulevard, 8.3 miles south of Highway 92 or 3.8 miles north of Woodside Road. Park at the rest stop at Skagg's Point on the east side of Skyline or on the west side one-quarter mile south of Skagg's Point across from the Methuselah Tree. Note: A left turn from Skyline southbound to Skagg's Point is not allowed, so go beyond the rest area, turn around, and double back.

Grade: Moderate. Elevation loss and regain is several hundred feet.

Distance: About five miles

Time: Plan three hours or so.

Special Conditions: The main trails are wide old logging roads, well marked. Intersecting trails are not marked at this time, but many are passable for some distance. No dogs. No poison oak on marked trails.

Our walk begins at the Skagg's Point rest stop on Skyline Boulevard. From the parking area, walk north a few hundred feet to the marked trailhead on the west side of Skyline. The trail signs direct you 1.5 miles to both the vista point and the sandstone formations. The well-graded trail leads you through the headwaters of El Corte de Madera Creek and along scenic ridge tops overlooking deep valleys rich in second growth redwood and Douglas fir.

Follow the sign to the sandstone formations. These formations are known as "tafoni." They are formed by years of weathering that, according to geologists, is quite rare. The erosion process is caused by rainwater and carbon dioxide joining to dissolve the calcium carbonate that holds the grains of sandstone together. As the dry weather draws moisture from inner parts of the rock, the capillary action sucks out the cement, the sand falls out, and interesting honeycomb depressions and shallow caves result. The hard rock in the sandstone is made up of concentrations of calcium carbonate that has formed a water-resistant cement.

Returning to the main trail, follow the signs one-half mile to the vista point and enjoy views to the south and west to the ocean. There are spots of sunshine and a tree for shade. We enjoyed bagels, cream cheese, and smoked salmon in the warm sunshine while contemplating the panorama around us.

For redwood tree lovers, the best is yet to come. Leaving the vista point, we returned to Skyline via the Methuselah Tree Trail, assuming an old tree must be in the neighborhood. Our search ended on the east side of Skyline Boulevard a few hundred feet south of the trailhead. There is a small turnout for parking and a fenced area next to the road surrounding the monster of a tree. The sign, which was probably installed in the mid-'50s, tells us that the tree is about 1,800 years old. Its height before the top broke off was 225 feet. In 1954 the height was 154 feet, and the tree has no doubt grown some since then. The diameter at the base above the burls is 14 feet but much more at ground level. The tree is a marvel of nature, one of those "...primal things of earth that are not revealed to those who rush by on wheels." (John Finley, Traveling Afoot).

After spending some time with old Methuselah, walk north along Skyline Boulevard one-quarter mile to your car. But come back soon. The sandstone, the view, and the tree deserve a repeat visit.