On October 1, 2011 I lead my Foothill/De Anza class on a wonderful 5.12-mile loop hike at Butano State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is hard to overstate the charm of this cool, green canyon park. Because of its location on the west side of the range, far from population centers, Butano is one of the most remote parks in the Bay Area.
Our hike began on the park road, which becomes a dirt road past the gate. We then turned uphill on the Goat Hill Trail and then headed east on the Doe Ridge Trail. Just east of where this trail intersects the Olmo Fire Road we stopped for lunch on the ridge top where we enjoyed views into the Little Butano Creek Canyon and the Gazos Creek Canyon. We examined the dense cones of the Knobcone Pines that grow atop the ridge.
Many banana slugs, some mating, were seen that day.
TO GET THERE... from Highway 1 in southern San Mateo County, take Pescadero Road or Gazos Creek Road to Cloverdale Road. The park is about 5 miles south of Pescadero. There is a parking fee.
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