Hike Date: Saturday, June 10, 2017
5.4 miles, 4 hours, 1700 feet
(Previous Visit: Sunday, October 4, 2015)
For my previous trip to this state park in 2015, check out this post.
For other trails in Castle Rock State Park, check out this post on Skyline to the Sea Trail.
Features
- Castle Rock Falls – there is an observation platform
- Numerous sandstone outcrops with ‘tafoni’ formations including the Castle Rock and Goat Rock
- Panoramic views
- Russell Point
ABOUT THE HIKE
- Parking Lot: Castle Rock State Park Parking Lot. No cellular reception inside the preserve.
- Parking Fee: $8 inside the parking lot, which can get full quickly on weekends. Street parking is free, but even the street parking spots are limited.
- Restroom: Next to the parking lot/trailhead (‘A’ in the route below)
- Trailhead: Next to the parking lot
- Route (clockwise):
- Trailhead (A)
- Lower trail at the fork after the bridge, signs for ‘Campground’ / ‘Castle Rock Falls’ –> Saratoga Gap Trail (B)
- Ridge Trail (C) — turnaround point
- Stairs down after the Goat Rock –> Ridge Trail (C)
- Saratoga Gap Trail (D) — repeat of a part of ‘B’
- Route Map:
- Distance: 5.47 miles
- Time: 4 hours 12 minutes (3 hours 20 minutes in 2015)
- Elevation Gain: 1700 feet
- Exposure: Mostly shaded, some parts exposed
- Company: Friends. In all, 4 people.
photos from the hike
Restroom Next to the Parking Lot
Saratoga Gap Trail (B) – also the way to the Castle Rock Falls
Panoramic View of the Santa Cruz Mountains
A Creek Bridge
Turning Around to the Ridge Trail (C)
Tafoni Ribs Inside a Sandstone Cave
Ridge Trail (C)
Some of the plants spotted in the park:
Orange Bush Monkeyflower
Yellow Bush Lupine
Morning Glory
Common Yarrow
Indian Paintbrushes
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