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Purisima Creek Redwoods [Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Preserve]
This narrow hard dirt road (closed to cars) runs from
Higgins Purisima Road south of Half Moon Bay for 4 miles along Purisima
Creek and up out of the canyon, where it becomes part of the Bay Area
Ridge Trail for its last 1.8 miles before reaching Skyline Boulevard.
This stretch of trail is deservedly popular with hikers, bikers and equestrians, and since there's little way to get off it into the surrounding forest, it's a poor choice for those seeking solitude, except early on a weekday or in bad weather. Both entrances have something to offer, but if you want to hike more than a 0.2 mile accessible nature trail at the east entrance, you can avoid two very steep miles down from the ridge by starting at the west end. From there, the trail is nearly level well graded fine gravel for the first 0.5 miles. Thereafter occasional medium-steep stretches may be daunting, but for another 1.8 miles it's mostly moderate to easy going, until the trail leaves Purisima Creek and starts its 1.8 mile, 1000 foot climb out of the canyon. At this point the prettiest part of the walk is behind you, and if you continue, you'll find the trail good and steep, with some transverse slope, though well graded except for "drainage humps" which don't make the climb any easier.
Details: There are two ways to reach the west trailhead: Go 1 mile south of Hwy 92 on Hwy 1 and turn east on Higgins Canyon/Purisima Road for 3+ very narrow, winding miles. Or, take a longer but much easier route by going another 3 miles south on Hwy 1 to where the highway enters a wooded area. A yellow sign on the right shows the junction with Verde Road. Turn left, and stay to the left, which puts you on Purisima Creek Road and takes you about 3 miles northeast to the trailhead. One van-accessible parking space and an accessible toilet
is provided, and other trails from this trailhead may be useable. Please
note, neither benches nor picnic tables are provided anywhere on the
west part of the trail, and logs or boulders to perch on are few and
far between until after the first mile. The Purisima Creek Trailhead on Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) is 6.5 miles south of Highway 92. Redwood Trail A; ? ; 0.2 mile also starts here; it's an all-access nature trail which I haven't explored. And it may be possible to follow the Bay Area Ridge Trail east and south from there-another trail I haven't tried. Accessible parking, toilets and picnic facilities are provided. Dogs are not permitted in the preserve, except for service dogs. Last visit Fall 2006 |
The
first 2+ miles that follow the creek are a very lovely walk well described
in the Regional Open Space flyer available at both entrances:
On
a fall hike just after a light rain, Purisima Creek Trail was muddy
in places but passable for the first two miles (from the west trailhead).
I think this stretch should be useable except in the first weeks after
prolonged rain. The creek would be fun to see in flood.