Hike Date: Thursday, June 01, 2017
5.33 miles, 2 hours 25 minutes, 1079 feet

Attractive lichen-covered boulders and sandstone rock outcrops add to the scenic value of this area.

For other routes in Castle Rock State Park, see Hike in Castle Rock State Park – Saratoga Gap Trail.

FEATURES

• Oak and mixed-evergreen forests
• Sandstone formations
• Panoramic views at Sempervirens Point

ABOUT THE HIKE

1. Parking Lot: At the Caltrans vista point on the southeast corner of the Highway 9 and Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard) intersection. No cellular reception inside the park.
2. Parking Fee: None
3. Restroom: None next to the parking lot or trailhead. One at the Sempervirens Point (‘G’ in the route below), 3 miles from the trailhead.
4. Trailhead: From the parking lot, cross Highway 35 and walk south on Highway 9. The trailhead is to the left.
5. Route (clockwise):
   • Trailhead (A) –> Skyline to the Sea Trail (B)
   • Cross Highway 9 –> Trail to the left –> Skyline to the Sea Trail (C)
   • Left at the fork –> Nutmeg Trail (D)
   • Left at the second fork –> Red Mountain Trail (E) (no named marker for this trail)
   • Right before the gate –> Skyline to the Sea Trail (F)
   • Cross Highway 9 –> Summit Meadow Trail (G)
   • Sempervirens Point (H) — restroom break
   • Cross Highway 9 –> Short distance on a paved road –> Right to Skyline to the Sea Trail (I)
   • Straight on junction of ‘I’ and ‘E’ –> Skyline to the Sea Trail (J)
   • Repeat of ‘C’
   • Cross Highway 9 –> Repeat of ‘B’
6. Route Map:
   
7. Distance: 5.33 miles
8. Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
9. Elevation Gain: 1079 feet
10. Exposure: Completely shaded
11. Company: Solo

SHOTS FROM THE HIKE