A Spring Excursion at Fall Creek

The Fall Creek unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State park is a steep, forested, and magnificent 2,335-acre canyon, tucked into the rugged mountains northwest of Felton. Though this land is technically park of Henry Cowell, it is physically separated and has a different feel. It is much wilder, with no picnic tables, restrooms, campgrounds, or other amenities found in the southern unit of the park.

From the Felton Empire Road parking lot, my Foothill College class walked downhill on the Bennett Creek Trail to a trail junction with lots of thimble berry bushes. We then headed upstream on the Fall Creek Trail, pausing to enjoy the sight of Fall Creek as it tumbles over granite rocks. This is one of the most beautiful creeks in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We also stopped to examine second growth redwoods and how the forest has regenerated over the past century.

We then took the South Fork Trail up South Fall Creek to the lime kilns. Along the way we dipped our cups into a spring for a cold and delicious drink. In the 1870's this was California's biggest producer of lime, which is used to make cement. It continued producing until 1919. Near the powder magazine we left the trail briefly to watch goldfish swim around in a pool. From there we walked the Cape Horn Trail north to have lunch on the banks of Fall Creek.

After lunch, we headed upstream on the Fall Creek Trail to the Barrel Mill Site, where a water powered mill cut barrel staves to make barrels that was used to transport lime. We also sample baynut brownies. From there we hiked down stream on the Fall Creek Trail and then back up the Bennett Creek Trail to the parking lot. Our entire hike was a little over five miles.

TO GET THERE... From Highway 9 in Felton, the main parking lot is less than a mile northwest on Felton-Empire Road.