46 |
MAPLE |
DISTANCE: 7.0–9.0 miles
HIKING TIME: 4–5 hours
SEASON: year-round
DIFFICULTY: moderate
It’s a 7.0- or 9.0-mile round-trip hike to Maple Falls, depending on whether the road is gated at Porter Picnic Area, the summer trailhead. In winter and spring (when Maples Falls flows at its fullest), the road is usually closed, so you’ll need to start at George’s Picnic Area and walk a mile farther in each direction to see the falls. No matter where you start from, the trail begins with an easy walk on Aptos Creek Fire Rd. Follow it 0.25 mile past Porter Picnic Area and turn left onto Loma Prieta Grade Trail. The second-growth redwood and Douglas fir forest gets thicker and greener, and the trail narrows. Where Loma Prieta Grade Trail splits, bear right on Bridge Creek Trail. At Bridge Creek Historic Site, a former logging camp, the maintained trail ends, and you begin a 0.5-mile stream scramble along Bridge Creek. The canyon narrows, twists, and turns, until its walls finally come together at 30-foot Maple Falls, which spills over colorful sandstone. To return, simply retrace your steps.
From Santa Cruz, drive south on Hwy. 1 for 6.0 miles to the Aptos/State Park Dr. exit. Bear left at the exit, cross the highway, and turn right onto Soquel Dr. Drive 0.5 mile and turn left onto Aptos Creek Rd. Stop at the entrance kiosk, then continue to Porter Picnic Area and park. In winter, if the road is gated, park at George’s Picnic Area, a mile before Porter Picnic Area.
