Completed: November 25, 2023 | Elevation: 2,850′ | Trail: Saratoga Gap Trail > Ridge Trail | Distance: ~5.0 miles
We finally got back on the trail to work off not only our Thanksgiving meal but also four weeks of good eating in the Philippines and Singapore. It felt great to be outside sweating because of actual cardio activity versus just feeling the heat and humidity.
The parking lot was full but we found a spot near the trailhead to Indian Rock. Neither of us had been to Castle Rock before and while we could have done a really short out and back hike directly to Goat Rock, we opted for a longer loop that took us deeper into the park.
From the main entrance we followed Saratoga Gap Trail as it made a gradual descent through the redwood forest and over Kings Creek. Past the connector to the Ridge Trail, we cleared the trees and came out onto a ridge with sweeping views of the Santa Cruz mountains. We clambered over portions of the rocky trail; there was even one section with cables.
As we approached the northernmost point of the trail we could hear the gunshots from the nearby Los Altos Rod and Gun Club echoing around us. At the intersection, we turned onto the Ridge Trail (a spur continued to Castle Rock Camp).
We walked past Russell Point and less than a mile later, made a detour to Emily Smith Observation Point, with its views of Monterey Bay. This was a nice place to stop for what would be the first of many meals composed of Thanksgiving leftovers: turkey with cranberry sauce and cheese on homemade focaccia.
After lunch it was a short half-mile to the back side of Goat Rock. There wasn’t really a “path” to the top, but no doubt someone with grippy shoes and/or a rock climbing inclination could find the right finger and foot holds to make the short but steep scramble up. Chris and I looked at each other and decided that it wasn’t our cup of tea, seeing how the guy who was up there chose to slide on his butt to get back down and neither of us wanted to ruin our pants. We were close enough.
Continuing on Ridge Trail, we rounded Goat Rock and could see the cliff face and hear the voices of climbers. The trail was narrow and rocky in some areas as we returned to the forest floor and re-connected with the Saratoga Gap Trail to complete our loop. It had been a fun hike on a trail that traversed varied terrain, which kept it interesting, and it offered just the right amount of cardio to ease us back into our hiking routine.
Follow our progress bagging the Bay Area’s Nifty Ninety here.