San Mateo County Memorial Park

San Mateo County Memorial Park is a small redwood park with just enough trails for a 5-mile hike with my College of San Mateo class. The route we took offered views of old-growth redwoods, Pescadero Creek, and a ascent into a chaparral and oak woodland on a ridge top.

We met at the parking lot on Wurr Road, which is between San Mateo County Memorial and Pescadero Creek County Parks. We then walked down the road, across the creek to the trail into the park. At the Legion Flat Picnic Area we saw tables and stone fireplaces built by the WPA in the 1930's. Some of us entered a hollow redwood log which I used to play in when I was a kid. After checking out the old swimming hole, we examined the largest tree in the park before heading on to the amphitheater.

On our way through the Azalea Flat Campground we found some azaleas in bloom. After crossing Pescadero Road we headed up the Pomponio Trail. I found a couple of baby newts and an ensatina salamander under a log. We then ascended the Pomponio Trail for some good views of the Pescadero Creek watershed. The trail is quite overgrown in places and needs some work. After eating lunch along the Mt. Ellen Summit Trail, we headed downhill to the main entrance and back to our cars. On our way we walked through a hole in a large old-growth redwood.

The weather was perfect. A good place for a moderate hike.

TO GET THERE... From Skyline Boulevard, take La Honda Road west past La Honda and turn left on Pescadero Road. Follow Pescadero Road west and turn left on Wurr Road and continue to the parking lot on the left side of the road; or continue on Pescadero Road to the entrance to San Mateo County Memorial Park.