COME TO ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE HIKES ON SATURDAY, JULY 14 by Hoyt Nelson
The hike at the Fall Creek section of Cowell Redwoods is only about 5 miles round trip and is fairly flat and shaded. It follows the beautiful Fall Creek for most of the way and has a stop at an area with 12 foot high abandoned lime kilns after 1.5 miles. We lunch a mile later amid the scattered machinery of a barrel factory.
It’s a little far to drive for some, but believe me, it’s worth it. We take the Mt. Hermon Rd to the right off Hwy 17 just a couple of miles North of Santa Cruz and drive about 5 miles through Felton, continuing across Hwy 9 up the hill for less than a mile to a signed dirt parking lot on the right. There is also a winery across the road just before the lot for free tasting afterward. If anybody still has energy, we can stop at one of the best Japanese gardens in the state – Hakone Gardens (free if we take the short trail up the hill) – on the way back in Saratoga. There are several great restaurants nearby to round the day off.
There are no water or facilities along the hike, but there are at the winery. Bring layered clothes for changeable weather, a lunch with drinks for the stop at the barrel mill and possibly something to share. Due to the distance, carpooling is highly recommended. At the least, we should meet at my house in Santa Clara and form carpools there. I plan to leave my place at 9:30 AM and can take 5 more people.
For more info. or to sign up, contact fallcreek@niseiskeclub.org.
