Skyline/Castle Rock Loop

Sanborn County Park/Castle Rock State Park

(Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail Section 0)

Hike Data:

Length: 11.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Elevation Loss: 600 feet
Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
Difficulty: 2/5
Rating: 3.5/5
Other Information: There is no fee. Pit toilets are available at the main entrance to Castle Rock State Park and at Castle Rock Trail Camp.
Date Last Hiked: Sunday, January 19, 2003

Introduction:

I was motivated to do this loop because, one-way at least, it serves as what might be called "Section 0" of the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. The Skyline-to-the-Sea trail is a roughly 28 mile trail connecting Saratoga Gap to Big Basin State Park, and finally to the Pacific Ocean at Waddell Beach on Highway 1. It's a nice backpacking trip (that I plan to do someday) because it is overall downhill. Most people add a bit more distance (6.5 miles or so) by starting at the main entrance to Castle Rock State Park, primarily because the section of trail along Saratoga Gap Trail between the entrance and the Castle Rock Trail Camp provides fantastic views of the valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains. I decided to hike this first section as a loop, starting at Saratoga Gap. Normal people probably wouldn't want to do the whole loop, or would hike it one-way from Castle Rock as part of the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. But I'm anything but normal... This loop involves sections of trail in both Sanborn County Park and Castle Rock State Park.

Sanborn County Park is a fairly large, heavily wooded park on the Eastern slopes of the ridge above Saratoga, and occupies area from Saratoga to Highway 35. Although the park offers many activities, including camping, this loop barely touches the trails on the Western end of the park.

Castle Rock State Park derives it's name from a strange looking rock (made of sandstone) just inside the main entrance. I passed by it on this loop simply because it's interesting, but to me the big draw at Castle Rock is the views along the Saratoga Gap Trail, which are just about unparalleled in the Bay Area. The trail is also fairly rocky and challenging. The park is popular with nature lovers, campers (camping is available at Castle Rock Trail Camp), and rock climbers, who scramble up the faces of Castle Rock and Goat Rock. There's even a large waterfall along Saratoga Gap Trail. In short, this park has a lot of interesting stuff to offer, and is a worthy destination in and of itself. In fact, the park is quite large and stretches North to Saratoga Gap and West all the way to Waterman Gap, at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 236. Most of what I call "Section 1" of the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail is located within the park, and there are a ton of trails to explore.

Getting There:

Note: Use the large paved parking area for Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve.

From Saratoga or the South Bay: Take Highway 9 West from Saratoga. Follow it as it winds up the side of the mountain until you reach Saratoga Gap at the intersection with Highway 35 (Skyline Blvd). Turn left on Highway 35 and then turn left immediately into the parking area.

From the Northern Peninsula: Take Highway 35 (Skyline Blvd) South until you reach the intersection with Highway 9 at Saratoga Gap. Proceed straight through the intersection and turn left immediately into the parking area.

From Santa Cruz or Felton: Take Highway 9 NorthEast to the intersection with Highway 35 (Skyline Blvd) at Saratoga Gap. Turn right onto Highway 35 and then turn left immediately into the parking area.