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Hike or Bike the Old Growth Redwood Loop at El Corte de Madera

Redwood City, California

4.4/5
based on 5 reviews

Details

Distance

8.8 miles

Elevation Gain

1900 ft

Description

Added by Jake Young

Discover an old growth redwood as you hike through chaparral and dense forest canopies. 

This hike starts at the middle parking lot of the El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve. The middle lot is located roughly a mile south on Skyline Boulevard from the Skeggs Point Vista. 

From the parking lot, take the Methuselah Trail for 0.3 miles until you reach the Timberview Trail. Take this trail for another 1.3 miles through a steep forested gulch until you reach the Cross Cut Trail intersection. Stay on the Timberview Trail for another 0.2 miles while looking for the sign pointing towards the old growth coastal redwood. The trail to the redwood is very short and ends right at the massive tree. This massive pillar of earth is so tall you can barely see the top and has a circumference of around fifty feet. 

After visiting the tree, get back on the Timberview trail for another 0.3 miles until you intersect with the Giant Salamander Trail. The intersection is a relatively flat area where you can see the remnants of the coastal redwoods that were logged many decades ago. Stay on the Giant Salamander Trail for 1.4 miles until you reach the fork of the Fir and Methuselah Trail. At this point you can decide which trail you would like to take back to the parking lot. The Fir Trail is slightly longer, but offers the opportunity to visit one of the scenic vista points in the park.

For more information and maps visit the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Preserve Website.

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Hike or Bike the Old Growth Redwood Loop at El Corte de Madera Reviews

There are lots of trail intersections so you could spend an hour here or all day. The trails are well maintained, but several of them are more fire road than trail, which was disappointing. The scenic overlooks have amazing and far reaching views. I really wouldn't go out of your way to see the old growth redwood. I love redwoods but don't expect this one take your breath away like those further north. I think if I were to come back here I'd want to start at sunrise or finish at sunset, to get the experience presented in the trail image above.

This trail is gorgeous, I like to hike it between fall- spring. The forest smells lush and the trees stretch as high as the eye can see. This trail can be strenuous at times but is well worth the effort.

It is an amazing trail. Highly recommended

Just did this hike and the look is less than 8.8 miles. My friend and I both tracked it on our fit bit and the loop came in around 6.5 miles. The smells of the forest were so amazing especially in the rain. I highly recommend this hike!

Skeggs is an awesome place to ride some single track and experience some of the best terrain the Bay Area has to offer. However be sure to follow your route closely because at this location its very easy to bypass trails and end up a lot further down the hill than you expected, with a long climb out. If riding at dusk, you should be sure to pack a light and always keep a trail map handy!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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Hike Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP

Hike Whittemore Gulch at Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP