WEEKLY

WALKER

By Tom Davids

The Methuselah Trail

El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve

"Keeping to the main road is easy, but people love to be sidetracked."Lao Tzu

Directions: On Skyline boulevard, 9.5 miles south of Highway 92 or 4.3 miles south of Kings Mountain Road. Park at the gate one-quarter mile south of the Skagg's Point view area. This is identified as Gate CM-02.

Grade: Strenuous.

Distance: 7.2 miles

Time: Three hours.

Special Conditions: The trail is rough and steep in places. No dogs. No poison oak on the marked trails. Watch for bicycles. The preserve is operated by the Midpeninsula Open Space District (650) 691-1200.

The Methuselah Trail is named for an old growth giant redwood located on the east side of Skyline Boulevard, opposite Gate CM-02, at the end of a short trail. A sign that was probably installed in the mid-fifties tells us that the tree is about 1,800 years old, or double the age of the biblical patriarch of the same name. At one time the tree was 225 feet, but that was before its top broke off.

In 1954 the tree was 154 feet high. The diameter of the tree above the burls is 14 feet, but it is much broader at ground level. This is a fine but somewhat stunted example of an old growth redwood, and it is only a few steps from Skyline Boulevard. It is one of those ". . .primal things of earth that are not revealed to those who rush by on wheels." (John Finley, "Traveling Afoot")

The Methuselah Trail into the Open Space Preserve begins on the west side of Skyline Boulevard at Gate CM-02. Inside the gate, pick up a trail map, turn right, and begin a gradual descent along an old logging road. After a few steps you will notice a trail to the right. This is a connecting trail to Gate CM-01 at Skagg's Point. Continue on the Methuselah Trail, past new growth redwoods, fir, bay, and madrone trees.

Our destination for this hike was the El Corte de Madera Creek, some 3.1 miles and 600 feet below Skyline. Along the way we intersected with the Timberview Trail, the Manzanita Trail, and two unnamed trails. Referring to your trail map (available at the gate), you will soon appreciate the vast trail system this 2,700-acre preserve has to offer. The map lists another destination spot that we plan to visit this summer--an old growth redwood area off the Timberview Trail.

Our trail, the Methuselah Trail, continued its downward course through second growth redwoods with huckleberry and fern as ground cover. Now and then the trail opens up through a sunny, clear area with vistas of neighboring canyons and ridges. As you hike, notice that the trail (an old logging road) is cut through sandstone embankments with interesting formations. In some places the road undercuts trees above, leaving roots exposed overhead. As you near the creek, the route grows steeper with new trails cut to even out the slope. Above the creek, the trail pitches steeply to the water below.

Along this route are many fine examples of the madrone tree. This is the tree with a gnarled and twisted shape, thin bark on the limbs and trunk that peels off and hangs in tatters and a rich, red-brown color. This tree had many uses to the natives and early settlers. The wood was used for lodge poles by the Indians and for stirrups by the settlers. Roots and leaves were brewed into a medicinal tea. A lotion was made from the bark and leaves and used to treat sores and wounds. For more information on the madrone tree and other trees and plants in the area, read "Plants of the Coast Redwood Region" by Lyons and Cooney-Lazaneo, published by Looking Press, Boulder Creek, CA 95006.

After a lunch stop by the creek, we turned right and continued north for three-quarters of a mile to a junction with the El Corte de Madera Creek Trail. Along the way we enjoyed a more primitive sort of hiking experience. The trail is narrow. It crosses the creek several times on logs or boulders, and the deep woods around you provide a wilderness setting unique to parks and preserves on the Peninsula. Hopefully, the creek-side trail will remain a low-impact, private place available only to those willing to walk in and scramble a bit.

At the junction with the El Corte de Madera Creek Trail, turn right .3 mile to a junction with the Resolution Trail. Turn left and enjoy a new well-graded trail for .9 mile to a junction with the Tafoni Trail. Continue on the Tafoni Trail one mile to the Fir Trail junction. Shortly before the junction is the side trail to the sandstone formations known as tafoni. See the last Weekly Walker column (July 5, 1997) for more information on these fascinating formations.

You have several trail choices to return to Gate CM-02. We took the Fir Trail, continuing past the Manzanita Trail to the next junction and turned right. This unnamed trail runs parallel to Skyline Boulevard for .4 mile, then intersects with the Methuselah Trail and in .1 mile, you're at the gate.