Important points to note:

  * There are no restrooms near the trail.

  * Dogs are not permitted.

  * We'll start this hike an hour earlier than usual (to avoid heavy traffic).

** RSVP REQUESTED **

Register below or e-mail hikes@mitcnc.org

Description:

• Many of you have probably been to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, a nice shady redwoods-and-creeks kinda park down near Santa Cruz -- perfect for a hot summer day.  But what many *don't* realize is that there's a second half to the park (the Fall Creek Unit), one which is a lot less crowded and which you might consider to actually be a little prettier.  We visit some old lime kilns along the way, along with an ancient redwood.

For more information about Henry Cowell Park, visit the park's web site:

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=546

You can download a park brochure and trail map from:

https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/546/files/HenryCowellRedwoodsFinalWeb2015.pdf

Hike Route:

After entering the park from the parking lot, we will take:

• Bennett Creek Trail to Fall Creek Trail to South Fork Trail to the kiln ruins.
• Cape Horn Trail to the Lost Empire Trail for an additional 2.7 miles to the Big Ben Tree.
• Big Ben Trail until it joins the Fall Creek Trail back to the parking lot.

See  https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28574 for more details.

Warning:  This is a strenuous hike.  Please be sure that you are comfortable with this level of effort before joining us.  And be sure to eat a nutritious breakfast, so that you arrive well fed, well hydrated and ready to hike.  Note that the pictures were taken from a previous hike whose route is slightly different.

What to Bring:

Water (at least 2 litres per person), lunch and some light snacks.  You should probably wear long pants, as there is plenty of poison oak along the trail. No harm in bringing sunblock and a hat, but it's quite shady, so should be comfortable on a summer afternoon.

Driving Directions:

The parking lot is here: https://goo.gl/maps/jRBe8vrQiCj5tKMD9

*Take 17 South (you can get there from Hwy 85 or Hwy 280) to the Mt. Hermon Rd. Exit (~20 mins).

*At the light at the end of the exit ramp, turn RIGHT.

*Drive 3.5 miles to the T intersection.  Take a RIGHT onto Graham Hill Rd.

*You'll quickly hit Hwy 9 (you'll see a Chevron on your right).

*Go straight across.  The road becomes Felton Empire Rd.

*Drive 0.6 miles.  The parking lot and trailhead are on the right.  It's a bit hard to spot, so keep your eyes open.

Driving time:  30 minutes from the intersection of Hwys 85 and 17.

Carpooling:

Carpooling is highly recommended. We plan to set up a carpool site and will send the link to all who RSVP. We do not assume responsibility for carpool arrangements (we merely do so as a courtesy to help hikers make their own plans).

Rain policy:

If it's raining significantly, the hike is off. If the weather is ambiguous, we will send out an email to all who have RSVP'd and to the mitcnchikers@yahoogroups.com list on the morning of the hike. You can join that email list by going to the http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mitcnchikers/ web page. You will receive emails about each upcoming hike ~1 week in advance. The volume on that list is very low (~2 emails/month).

The NWS forecast for Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park may be found at https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.0295&lon=-122.04

Disclaimers:

Joining any hike is entirely voluntary and participants assume any and all risks associated with the activities.  By registering or attending this event, participants agree to the conditions posted at: http://bit.ly/321bLut

Contact: Lyman Hurd
hikes@mitcnc.org
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