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Fall Creek State Park
Rating Details »
1400 Felton Empire Rd
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4598
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4598
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
10 reviews for Fall Creek State Park
I've been to Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell SP a few times. It's very nice now & in the summer.
We went on Sun 11/23/08 and do about 8 miles. Nice to walk along the Creek. We went up to the limestone kilns, very cool to see. Then we saw Powder Magazine - just a hole w/ a sign. Soon enough we got to Barrel Mill area on the Fall Creek Trail where there's lots of Ladybugs (said to be overwintering-friend saw it really covered 2 weeks ago).
Lunch was at Barrel Mill site. There's some old equipment & a sign to read about how they did the Barrel Mill back in the old days.
We did some hard sections on the Big Ben Trail up to the Truck Trail. Also did a bit on the High School trail.
No parking fee, no bathrooms.
Directions from Fremont: Take 880 South to 17. Exit Mt. Hermon Rd. Rt on Graham Hill Rd. Straight through the light to Felton Empire Rd. Pass the Felton Cemetary, Right into the parking lot w/ Henry Cowell SP sign.
This is a great place to hike. It's better for the longer hikes - there are some cool day hikes here including historic lime kilns. Didn't give it 5 stars because there are no bathrooms and dogs aren't allowed. It's definitely a "self serve" type place - no staff or formal parking lot. But peaceful, nice trails and lots to look at.
This 8 mile loop (with a 4 mile shorter option) is one of my favorite hikes in Santa Cruz. It's also a pretty secret spot, with relatively few people sharing the trails, so I'm a bit hesitant to yelp about it. But I simply must share in the joy and wonder of the Fall Creek and Limestone Kilns loop.
The trail ascends about 1,500 feet from start to finish, and will kick your ass (read Shanna K's account), but the grade and climb up to just the limestone kilns feels easy as you're accompanied by a rushing stream and a massive green canopy of redwoods and coniferous trees. The kilns themselves are pretty incredible, softened from years of unchecked floral growth, the area is now reminiscent of a painting or some kind of abandoned camp. It's hauntingly serene.
During the late spring and into the fall be wary of Poison Oak growing alongside the trails.
No Dogs, Restrooms, Biking or Camping (I bring my dog sometimes though, shhhh!). I recommend bringing a light windbreaker and a water bottle. I'd bet that it's reasonably safe to drink from the rapidly gushing stream, but then if you got giardia I'd be plagued by a guilty conscience.
This park/hiking area really *is* one of the best kept secrets of the Santa Cruz Mountains. I've hiked here several times and it is absolutely beautiful and serene... with a creek running through, interesting historic lime kilns, a virgin redwood tree and more...
Be sure to bring water, a light jacket, and be aware that it can get dark early in there because of the tree cover.
No fees, small parking lot, no bikes or dogs allowed... just past Hallcrest Winery on your right. Pay a visit, you won't be sorry.
Update: If you want a hike that will kick your ass (well...if you're not a super experienced hiker that is...) try the 8mile loop from Fall Creek to the kilns, then up Lost Empire to a very steep, long climb to Lost Camp, then on to Big Ben (also steep but short), and back down down down ...thank god finally down.... to hook up with Fall Creek/North Fork again and out. Took us four hours. Longest, most strenuous hike I've done to date (8/5/07). Do I get to graduate from baby hiker to almost-real-live-hiker yet?
Here's the details better than I could type it out:
http://www.weeklywalke...
From the website:
Visitor Center
There is no visitor center at Fall Creek.
Camping
No camping.
Accessibility
Due to the rough terrain, there are no accessible facilities.
Climate/Clothing
The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
General Info/Trails
Fall Creek contains about 20 miles of trails. Pick up a trail map at Henry Cowell State Park Visitor Center.
This is a nice park with a creek running along side the trail. We have done the hike up to the lime kilns several times. On days when Henry Cowell is packed, this is a good alternative.
If it had not already been reviewed, I would not be saying anything. I'd be keeping the secret.
Amazing hike this weekend for an 8 mile loop that took us up to the peak at 1600 feet along creeks and a lime kiln and barrel mill. There are two loops in the park and we did the Truck trail loop.
Watch for bees at the beginning of the trail and afterwards go wine tasting at Hall an organic winery.
I probably know the terrain of this park better than any other place on earth because I spent a significant portion of my youth and young adulthood wandering its hills and I plan on spending more.
This is THE place to go if you want to impress somebody from out of town with the natural splendour of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The trees are just so damn tall, the vegetation is so damn verdant, the air so damn clear. Everytime I go (unless it's the middle of winter and the annual flooding of the rivers is flushing out the crap) I start by going to the bridge where the trail divides between the kilns (an amazing Angkor Wat-like structure overgrown with the forest) and the trail that continues along the river. I then drink straight from the river. I've never gotten sick.
At any point you can completely abandon the trail and just tramp through wilderness any which way to find beauty. And because of the slight ascent you can make away from the river you can experience a number of different ecologies: riverine, montane, temperate rainforest, chaparral or dryland scrub, I assumed all of these are represented, based on what I've seen. Oh god I wish I was there right now!
The contemplative B-side to Henry Cowell's hit single. Actually, this is technically just another division of Henry Cowell State Park, not a separate State Park in itself.
There are no visitor centers or facilities of any kind at this park, just a little dirt parking area off Felton-Empire Road. The primary hike to do here is to simply follow Fall Creek upstream for a few miles and then head back, though the Limekiln Ruins make an excellent side trip. This narrow little ravine through dense forest is absolutely enchanting the whole way, and I spied plenty of maples that would be stunning in the fall. It is indeed a well-kept secret, which is part of the charm, so let's just keep it between me and you and everyone else on Yelp, shall we?
This by far, is my favorite park in the bay area! many trails, awesome all-year running creek, dense wooded forest, and it's right around down the street from where I live. I have been coming to this park for 10 years now. Lots of history about the logging days, in the late 1800's-early 1900's. And when it's fully hot outside, you go here- because it's all shaded!!
Best hiking spot ever. Nice trails, and not too much foot traffic, which I love. A great place to get away from it all. Amazing scenery. Seriously, while hiking, stop every once in a while to take in all the natural beauty. It might make for a longer hike, but the views and serenity you feel are totally worth it. And did I mention it's FREE!!
