WEEKLY

WALKER

By Tom Davids

A Good Workout on the Upper Loop

Skyline, Chinquapin, Dean and Crystal Springs Trails: Huddart County Park

"Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher." William Wordsworth

Directions: The trailhead is located 6.3 miles south of Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard)/Highway 92 intersection. Park on the west side of the road at the Purisima Creek Redwood OSP (Redwood Trail) parking area, and cross the road to the east side. Watch out for through traffic.

Grade: Moderate. 600-foot elevation loss, then gain.

Distance: Four miles.

Time: Two to three hours.

Special Conditions: Dress for foggy, cool weather. No water or restrooms. No dogs. Trails are shared with horseback riders except during the wet winter months when it is hikers only. Huddart County Park is part of the San Mateo County Park system (650) 851-0326.

Looking for a good workout through a beautiful redwood forest? Try the upper loop at Huddart County Park. If you are in good condition and really push, you could complete this loop in an hour. For the rest of us mortals, figure two or three hours with a pleasant lunch stop at McGarvey Flat.

Start this hike at Skyline Boulevard, across from the parking area at the Purisima Creek Redwood OSP (Redwood Trailhead). Pick up the Skyline Trail a few steps east of Skyline Boulevard and turn right .2 miles to the Chinquapin Trail (Gate CQ2).

You will enjoy the pleasant 1.8-mile Chinquapin Trail. The trail heads north and then east, dropping rather steeply to the first of three switchbacks and then runs parallel to McGarvey Gulch Creek until intersecting with the Dean Trail. Along the way, you will hike through second-growth forest. Notice that this area is not as heavily forested as along the Skyline Trail, and your view line extends deep into McGarvey Gulch. Before intersecting with Dean Trail, the trail comes within earshot of Kings Mountain Road and then drops 120 feet to the junction. Turn left on Dean Trail, and in a quarter mile, you will cross over McGarvey Gulch Creek on a new wooden bridge. A few steps brings you to a side trail to McGarvey Flat, a nice, level, shady area with log benches—an ideal place to snack and rest before starting your uphill trek.

Continuing along, Dean Trail is quite level, gaining only 120 feet before intersecting with the Crystal Springs Trail. Turn left along the ridge and through an interesting chaparral area that presents a sharp contrast to the redwood forest below. After passing under an electric power line, the trail levels out, and soon you will pass through Gate CS-4 and on to the intersection with Skyline Trail. A log seat at the intersection gives you a chance to sit and ponder your next move. You can turn left along the wide Skyline Trail fire road and be back at the trailhead in 0.3 miles with 120 feet of altitude gain. Or you can turn right a few steps to Richards Road, then left toward Skyline Boulevard to the junction with the single track Skyline Trail, where you turn left and hike parallel to Skyline Boulevard to the trailhead. The latter alternative is a bit longer, but it offers a narrow trail along the ridgeline.

As with any up/down trail, this loop offers a good two-mile uphill aerobic workout for a 20- to 30-minute duration. Just put your heartbeat where you want it by picking up your uphill pace.

Footnote: Interested in hiking barefoot? There is a group that enjoys this “sense of freedom and intimacy with the ground.” For information, contact Steve at e-mail: footprinter@my-Deja.com or on the Web at www.geocities.com/yosemite/geyser/9663.

Your comments and hiking suggestions are always welcome. E-mail to: trekertom@aol.com or fax to: 650-592-4736.