Two Short Hikes from One Trailhead

The Redwood Trail and the Skyline Trail

Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve

This is another in the series of “Benches and Other Great Places for Lunch,” a short hike to a special spot, just right for a quiet getaway.

"No other tree in the world. . .has looked down on so many centuries as the Sequoia, or opens such impressive and suggestive views into history." – John Muir, 1894

Directions: Go west on Highway 92 to Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35). Turn left and continue 6.3 miles south. A kiosk with information about the Purisima Preserve is at the trailhead.

Grade: Almost level.

Distance: Redwood Trail: One-half mile round trip.

Skyline Trail: One mile round trip.

Time: As much or as little as you wish.

Special Conditions: The Redwood Trail was built for outdoor lovers who are physically limited. The Skyline Trail is mostly single-track with a short stretch of service road.

Most trailheads along Skyline Boulevard lead to a single trail running either east of Skyline toward the bay or west toward the ocean. This week’s walk features two trails, one in each direction. Both wind through tall redwood forests with occasional filtered views. And both show evidence of the ancient trees that gave way to the logging industry that ruled this ridgeline 150 years ago.

The Redwood Trail leads from the parking area into another time and place. The path is firm and wide, suited for wheelchairs or strollers. The redwood tree canopy is high and dense, blocking much of the warm afternoon sun. Shadows skip through the forest, allowing sunshine to touch the delicate, shade-loving ground cover for only brief periods of time.

Soon you will reach a bench at trailside, and farther on, a picnic table. In a short time, the trail crosses the Purisima Creek Trail, which drops down into Purisima Creek Canyon. A new chemical toilet is located at this junction. The Redwood Trail continues a short distance to two more picnic tables before it becomes a narrow, single-track trail that drops down and back to the Purisima Creek Trail.

The Skyline Trail is on the east side of Skyline Boulevard, across from the parking lot. There are no signs, but if you cross the road carefully and hike over a low bern, you will find the trail. Turn right, and you will reach the junction with Chinquapin Trail in about a quarter-mile.

At this junction, you may turn around and hike north three-quarters of a mile to the junction of Skyline Trail and Richards Road Trail. Then, turn back and return to your start point.

For a longer four-mile loop hike, you can hike down the Chinquapin Trail to Dean Trail, then cross through McGarvey Gulch, and return on the Crystal Springs Trail.

Both trails illustrate the classic reproductive cycle of the redwood trees. Along the Skyline Trail, you will pass by several examples of second-growth trees that sprouted up around a large “mother tree” felled during the 1800s. There is one large sprouting ring that has mothered at least 10 large second-growth redwood trees. Because the mother tree had an established root system, these sprouts generally grow faster and stronger than do seedlings.

These two short hikes are good anytime of the year, but we favor the springtime, when the trails are damp but firm, and you just may find a few wildflowers.

Your comments and hiking suggestions are always welcome.

E-mail to:tom@tomdavids.com..