Join Steve Bakaley on a leisurely - moderately paced day 8 mile hike through the Redwood Grove Loop to Cathedral Grove and the Observation Deck. We'll be going out one side of the Redwood Grove Loop and returning on the other, so we'll get to experience all of it. It contains a number of very impressive sequoia sempervirens specimens.
From the Redwood Grove we'll be taking the River Trail, the Big Rock Hole Trail to Cathedral Grove, then backtrack to the Ridge Fire Rd, which isn't really a road on our route, the Ridge Fire Rd to the Observation Deck for lunch, then down the Pine and Eagle Creek trails to the River Trail with a side trip down the Columbine Trail, then back through the Redwood Grove. Note that the River Trail becomes a steep uphill after Cable Car Beach and the uphill continues on Big Rock Hole to Cathedral Grove. Near the top of the Ridge Fire Rd we will be hiking uphill in loose sand. So this is not an easy hike for beginners and those out of shape.
If you wish to hike fast and return early, this is probably not the hike for you. Mellow tolerant hikers welcomed.
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: Nearly 1000 ft.
Meet: 10:30AM in the main parking lot close to the new bathrooms
Directions: From the Bay Area, take Ca 17 to Mt Hermon Rd in Scotts Valley. Take Mt Hermon Rd through Scotts Valley to its intersection with Graham Hill Rd. Go right on Graham Hill Rd to Ca 9 and turn south (left) on Ca 9 to the park entrance which will come up quickly on your left.
Level: Moderate(2B)
Cost: $10 parking fee
Bring: Lunch, snacks. layered clothing, and liquids. There is no potable water on the route.
