Visited: May 2017
This 3-day, 34-mile point-to-point backpacking trip starts at Skyline Drive in the Santa Cruz Mountains and ends at the Pacific Ocean north of Santa Cruz. The trip will take you through approximately 2,400 feet of elevation gain featuring expansive views, dense redwood canyons, waterfalls, wildflowers and more.
Before You Go
This route will require reservations with the California State Parks for the Waterman Gap Trail Camp on the first night and Jay Camp at Big Basin Redwoods State Park Headquarters on the second night. You can stay at one of the other campsites in Big Basin HQ on the second night, but we enjoyed the quieter Jay Camp.
We also left a car at the end of the route. To leave a shuttle car, drive north up Highway 1 from Santa Cruz toward Waddell Beach. You’ll turn right across from the beach parking lot on Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail Road and park in the lot across from Horse Camp. We arrived after dark on Friday night and the gate was closed. It was not locked, so we were still able to park. You should double check with the rangers though, as they may have started locking the gate. You’ll want to self-register the vehicle there for $10 per day. Keep one copy of the permit in the vehicle and the other on you during the trip. Another option would be to have a friend pick you up at the finish line. Note: Cell reception is limited in this area, so don’t count on it. Look up directions and make arrangements assuming you won’t be able to call others.
It’s also important to check for trail closures, especially if you do this trip in the spring like we did. Some trail closures require detours, which can affect timing on hikes. Others can prevent passage entirely and really upend a trip.
Day 1
Castle Rock State Park to Waterman Gap Trail Camp
Castle Rock State Park
We drove up Saturday morning and started at Castle Rock State Park. We recommend getting there early, as the parking lot can fill up quickly and you aren’t allowed to park overnight outside the lot. We took the Saratoga Gap Trail to the Travertine Springs Trail. You’ll pass Castle Rock Falls, where you may see rock climbers scaling the face next to the falls, and several scenic lookouts (pictured above). From the Travertine Springs Trail we took the Saratoga Toll Road Trail to the Beekhuis Road Trail. This will lead you to the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail near Big Basin Way.
The Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail will take you straight to Waterman Gap Trail Camp where you will spend the first night. After 9.5 miles, you’ll be ready for camp!
Day 2
Waterman Gap Trail Camp to Jay Camp
Day 2 will continue along the trail, crisscrossing and paralleling Big Basin Way. You’ll make your way down into the redwood canyon and you’ll notice the change in the scenery as you go. Along the way you’ll see some cool sights such as an abandoned station wagon just off the roadway (pictured above left) and lush redwood forest along Opal Creek (pictured above center). Also, keep an eye out for banana slugs along the trail (above right)!
As you approach Big Basin Redwoods State Park Headquarters you will start to see more people along the trails and begin to hear the sounds of families and others enjoying the park. Jay Camp is a short hike past the Visitor Center, where it’s a great idea to check in on any last minute trail closures or detours. After setting up camp, check out one of the tallest redwoods around at over 290 feet, Mother of the Forest (above left), and grab a bite to eat at the Visitor Center. There are other short trails nearby if you’re feeling up to it, but after doing 10 miles that day, we decided to string up our hammock and relax at camp. Note: You are NOT allowed to hang hammocks or other items from redwood trees in the park!
Day 3
Jay Camp to Waddell Beach
Day 3 took us along the Sunset Trail out of Jay Camp, to the Berry Creek Falls Trail. The typical route is to follow the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail out of Jay Camp, but we were forced to take this detour because of trail closures due to storm damage. That being said, we highly recommend this route! It takes you up over top of the three waterfalls, and then brings you down them. Otherwise, to see all the waterfalls, you’d have to take the Berry Creek Falls Trail up and back from the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. We tend to prefer loop trails so this suited us well.
Berry Creek Falls (pictured above) was a great finish to the series of three waterfalls on the way down the Berry Creek Falls Trail (Golden Falls, Silver Falls, Berry Creek Falls). The viewing area at the base of the waterfall was the perfect spot to rest and have a snack.
We opted to take the scenic route to Waddell Beach (pictured above right) to view the wild flowers that grow along the trail in the spring (above left), which added a few miles to the hike. We saw a variety of wildflowers along the way and, if you’re feeling good, this was a nice add-on. However, if you’re ready to be done, you won’t be missing out on too much, so don’t feel guilty about heading straight for the car.
Post-Hike
After dipping our toes in the ocean (pictured above), we piled into our shuttle car and made the drive back up to Castle Rock State Park to pick up our other vehicle. From there, we rendezvoused back home for unpacking, showers and comfort food!
