Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Featured Trail: Sunset Trail / Skyline- to-Sea Loop

Boulder Creek, California

Featured Trail Introduction: Excellent and somewhat challenging hike through one of the most popular parks in America. This hike combines portions or two of the most popular trails in Big Basin: Sunset Trail winds through ancient Redwood trees. The Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail is the return leg of this loop hike. This "Featured Trail" includes a small segment of the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail. Skyline-to-the Sea trail, as the name implies, starts at Highway 35 (Skyline) and eventually ends up at the ocean.

Featured Trail: Follow trail marked in "Red" starting at Note 1.

Important Trail Notes

• Note 1: The trailhead for this hike is Redwood Trail. To find this trail, with your back to the headquarters building, there are two parking areas in view. If possible park in the area to the left. Redwood Trail can be identified by a large Pole marked 'Redwood Trail.' Follow Redwood Trail a short distance, crossing the creek, you will see a sign directing you to Pool and Sunset Trails. The elevation at park headquarters is approximately 1,000 feet.
• Note 2: Follow the trail sign to Sunset Trail. Be careful not to continue on to Dool Trail.
• Note 3: Follow Timms Creek Trail, which is the start of the return trail back to park headquarters. Timms Creek Trail is located shortly after crossing West Waddel Creek; be careful not to continue on Sunset Creek.
• Note 4: Timms Creek Trail crosses West Waddel Creek. To cross the creek you must hike across a shore log bridge. The bridge is covered with a screen to make it more safe to cross. This is not a dangerous log crossing. After crossing the creek go left (east) on Skyline-to-the-sea Trail.

Getting There

• There are two routes:
• From San Francisco, Saratoga, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto: Take either the 101 freeway south or 280 freeway south. From there take the 85 freeway south. Exit 85 at Saratoga Road. Turn right and head west on Saratoga Road. After a few miles, you'll encounter a signal. Pick up Highway 9 here; take a right and drive through downtown Saratoga. The road then begins to climb into the mountains. Stay on 9 as it winds through the mountains for 12 miles. You will then see a sign for Highway 236/Big Basin. Turn right onto Highway 236 and continue on this road for 9 miles until you come to Park Headquarters.
  
  From California Highway 1, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay: Take Highway 1 to Santa Cruz. Take Highway 9 north for 15 miles. You will pass through several mountain towns and eventually arrive at the town of Boulder Creek. In Boulder Creek there is one stop sign. At this stop sign you will turn left onto Highway 236/Big Basin Way. Stay on this road for 9 miles and you will enter the Park. Proceed to Park Headquarters.