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SARATOGA GAP & |
DISTANCE: 5.2 miles round-trip
HIKING TIME: 2.5 hours
SEASON: year-round
DIFFICULTY: moderate
Castle Rock is famous for its wind- and water-sculpted sandstone formations and big views of the San Lorenzo River canyon. Take Saratoga Gap Trail from the west side of the parking lot. Descend along Kings Creek through Douglas firs and madrones. It’s 0.8 mile to an overlook platform across from 50-foot Castle Rock Falls, which flow vigorously in the wet season. Continue on Saratoga Gap Trail, leaving the forest for exposed, chaparral-covered slopes. Occasional sandstone outcrops appear, bearing Swiss-cheese-like holes and crevices.
At 2.6 miles out, make a sharp right turn onto Ridge Trail. After a half-mile ascent through madrones, you emerge on an open ridge. Beyond is a short spur to the Emily Smith Bird Observation Point, a good spot to look for raptors.
Nearly 4.0 miles out is the quarter-mile spur for Goat Rock. Climbers often scale the south side of Goat Rock, but the north side is accessible to hikers. The dropoff is steep; use caution. Ridge Trail continues until rejoining Saratoga Gap Trail above the falls. Turn left and make a short climb back to the trailhead.
From I-280 or U.S. 101 in Redwood City, take Hwy. 84 west to Skyline Blvd. (Hwy. 35). Turn left onto Hwy. 35 and drive 15.7 miles south to Castle Rock State Park’s parking area on the right. (From the South Bay, take Hwy. 9 west to Hwy. 35. Turn south onto Hwy. 35 and drive 2.5 miles to the parking area.) The trailhead is on the west side, opposite the entrance.
