Discover Olive Springs, 8 or 11 mile options [Unseen Nisene I]

Join us to explore this relatively unknown entryway to Nisene Marks. The Olive Springs entrance is a year-round watery wonderland, with ferns and creeks in abundance. Then the trail quickly takes you to the higher grounds, with steep ascents but easy footing, mostly along a fire-road.

Olive Springs to Sand Point:
This is an out-and-back with a loop at the end, AKA "a lollipop". Hikers have the option of turning around at Sand Point, for an 8 mile out and back, or having a leisurely snack with a beautiful view from the Sand Point benches (a prime napping location), while the others circumnavigate the point. If you stick with us through the circumnavigation, don't be surprised if the trail is hard to follow in a few sections, possibly requiring a bit of bush-whacking or doubling back, and bringing our full route to 11-12 miles and ~2,000’ elevation gain.

Key points:

Meet at Peet's to carpool, since parking is limited. Please find the correct Peet’s (819 Bay Avenue, Capitola)! If you'd like to drive separately the carpools get first dibs on closer parking spots, but more parking is available further down the road (we can shuttle people if necessary).

Pace: We will stop briefly for photos and botanical wonders, but not to the detriment of a consistent, moderate pace of 2+ mph going up and 2.5+ on the way down.

Exposure: This is a mostly forested hike, with areas of sun exposure. Temperatures should start around 61F and reach mid 70’s by the afternoon descent. Bring water and a snack!

Hiking poles are handy for the initial stream crossing, and may be helpful for the sustained ascent. (But, don’t poke the bears.)

Water shoes recommended
— Rain boots, crocs, sandals, etc.
— Carry, stash, or wear for the uplands.

Relatively strenuous uphill, to West Ridge Trail Camp, but on a well maintained fire road.

Bug spray is worth a try. There are mosquitos and gnats near the West Ridge camp grounds. It is fine without bug spray, but you will want to keep moving!

- Thar be bikes! Bikers are more plentiful on the weekend (with some stragglers on weekdays), but they mostly go up our fire road route, and then down smaller bike trails that we don’t mess with. Come ready to enjoy sharing the road — it was a biker that first showed me this route!

Watery Wonderland: Stream levels have dropped enough that it should be possible to cross initial stream crossings via rock “bridges”, but we always advise the safer option of going through the stream, so please come prepared for walking through cold water, or take full responsibility for crossing over rocks safely with hiking poles! All the water crossings are at the beginning (and end) of the hike, so we will stop to change shoes once across these streams as the trail begins to climb. You can hide sandals on the other side of the creek or carry them with you.

Mushroom motherland — we have gotten lucky with a number of exciting mushroom finds along this trail in past years, but now that mushroom season is mostly over, we will see what we will see.

Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any social activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.