Castle Rock State Park Hike – Saturday October 31

You are invited to come out and enjoy a group hike at Castle Rock State Park. This trail is a true gem. There are some gorgeous viewpoints. Take time to enjoy God’s creations while also enjoying conversation with each other.
On the hike, we will stop at Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook.
This trail has varied terrain with several rocky sections. Parts of the trail traverse sedimentary rock and include rock steps, a few of which are high (like 18"). You'll also encounter several large boulders that require walking over and carefully stepping or scooting down to proceed.
One appealing aspect of this trail is the balance it strikes between shade and sun. The hike includes a stop at Castle Rock Trail camp for lunch.

Location: Castle Rock State Park (see website below)

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=538

Address and Parking: 15451 Skyline Blvd, Los Gatos, CA 95032 (called Robert C. Kirkwood Entrance or lookup Castle Rock State Park Parking in google maps)

Optional Carpool: Meet at 9:40 a.m. sharp at the corner of the parking lot at Starbucks Coffee Company, 1291 S Mary Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. This is at the corner of Fremont and South Mary ave. Meet in back corner of the lot park near the big sign that says “Westmore Village”. We will leave the carpool parking lot by 9:50 A.M. (riders may want to offer to help pay gas costs to the driver)
Highway 85 is less than 1/2 mile from this carpool spot. If planning to do the carpool then email Stephen at dittmer88@gmail.com and let me know you are coming to the carpool , he plans to drive some carpoolers.
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At Castle Rock from the main parking lot, you may find a free parking space 0.2 miles further South on Hwy 35 on the right and left side of the road (Called Indian Rock parking area on left side). If you park there allow time to walk back to the Castle Rock parking area to be there by 10:30 A.M. Don't waste a lot of time trying to find free parking if there are not obvious spots open. Most Saturdays it will be hard to find a free spot.

Trail information:
6 miles and 1090 ft. elevation gain
Hike of 6 miles includes lunch at Castle Rock Trail camp and this is alltrails route is closest to that
AllTrails:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/saratoga-gap-trail-ridge-trail-and-castle-rock-trail-loop

Arrival Time: 10:30 A.M. in the Castle Rock State parking lot. Please arrive in timely manner.

(leader will be by parking lot and ranger office, with a bright green shirt on)

Start Time for hike: 10:30 A.M. (plan to gather before that)

What to Bring:

Water and lunch
Sunscreen and sun protective clothing and hat.
Hiking shoes (the trail goes on some rocky sections)
Hiking pole(s) - (recommended)
Bug spray for ticks would be good.
Possible layered clothing for cool Fall weather (check weather report).

FYI: Per accuweather forecast (as of Friday at 8:30 a.m.) it will be cloudy Saturday at Castle Rock during the hours of the hike. Later in day (well after the hike, early evening) might be some light rain.