TrailStompers.com: San Francisco Bay Area Trail Running

Big Basin Redwoods State Park is a trail running paradise!  The oldest of California's State Parks, Big Basin offers over 80 miles of trails, consisting primarily of swooping singletrack through dense redwood forests.  Elevations in the park range from sea level to over 2200', so many trails offer mild to difficult climbing.  One of the most well-known features of the park is Berry Creek Falls, a 65' often-photographed waterfall set among the redwoods.  The famous Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail also passes through the park, and is the last link of the 28-mile route from Saratoga Gap to Waddell Beach and Highway 1.

The weather in the park is variable, and ranges from cold and foggy in the winter to very hot and dry in the summer, so bring along extra clothes!

The Dirt:

• For the official Big Basin web site click here.
• More information on Big Basin can be found here.
  
• To download a really nice trail map from Virtualparks for free click here.
• For driving directions to the Park Headquarters via Google Maps click here.

Extras:

• Pacific Coast Trail Runs holds a trail race here every year.  For more information visit pctrailruns.com.
• The only drinking water in the park is at the Park Headquarters, so bring extra on your run.
  

Don't let this run fool you - it's only six miles but there's some serious climbing!  The highlight of this run is the Ocean View Summit along the Middle Ridge Road trail.  The run is basically up and down, with a nice rolling section alongside a creek on the way back down.  The run starts from the Park Headquarters.  Cross the creek and follow the signs toward the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.  Turn right onto the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.  You'll know you are going the correct direction if the creek is on your right.

• 0.0 mi: Start from the Park Headquarters towards the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.
• 0.1 mi: Turn right onto the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.  The creek should now be on your right.
• 0.4 mi: Cross Gazos Creek Road.  Keep going on Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.
• 0.5 mi: Turn left on Creeping Forest Trail.
• 1.8 mi: Turn right onto Dool Trail.
• 2.0 mi: Turn right onto Middle Ridge Road.  Start really climbing!!
  
• 2.8 mi: At the Ocean View Summit!  Enjoy the view and then keep going on Middle Ridge Road.
• 3.3 mi: Turn right onto the Meteor Trail, and enjoy the descent.
• 4.2 mi: Turn right onto the rolling Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.  Continue on the trail back to where you started.
• 5.6 mi: Cross Gazos Creek Road.
• 5.9 mi: Turn left back toward the Park Headquarters.
• 6.0 mi: Back at the Park Headquarters and your car!
  

This run takes you along one of the highlights of the park - Berry Creek Falls Trail.  Not only do you get to experience Berry Creek Falls, but also the smaller falls and cascades that are upstream.  In addition, the trails here are some of the best singletrack in the area.  One word of caution.  There are some steep sections of trail near the falls that are often wet and slippery.  Use extreme care through these sections and hold onto the cable!

• 0.0 mi: Start from the Park Headquarters towards the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.
• 0.1 mi: Turn right onto the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.  The creek should now be on your right.
• 0.4 mi: Turn left onto Dool Trail.  Keep an eye out for the Sunset Trail on your left.
• 0.5 mi: Turn left onto Sunset Trail.  You will shortly reach a ridge and then gradually start descending.
  
• 1.2 mi: Turn left onto the Sunset/Skyline-to-the-Sea Connector Trail.
• 1.3 mi: Turn right onto the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.
• 3.9 mi: Turn right onto Berry Creek Trail and start the climb along the falls.  You will pass several falls over the next mile.
• 5.0 mi: Turn right onto the Sunset Trail.  This is a long, gradual climb back up to the ridge.
  
• 9.7 mi: Turn right onto Dool Trail.
• 9.8 mi: Turn right onto the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.
• 10.1 mi: Turn left to head back to the Park Headquarters.
• 10.2 mi: Back at the Park Headquarters and your car!!