From the trailhead we hiked east on the Old Haul Road, which was once used to haul redwood logs long before San Mateo County acquired the land. We then headed north on the Pomponio Trail, which took us across Pescadero Creek. Because there is no bridge across the creek, this route is only feasible during the dry season. Along the way I turned over a log and found a yellow-eyed salamander. The trail passes through a large grassy meadow called Worley Flat and through a forest of coast live oak. We continued on the Pomponio Trail to the Parke Gulch Trail, which passes a massive three-trunk old-growth redwood that was hollowed out by fire over the centuries. We ate lunch beneath this magnificent tree.
After lunch we paused at one of the campsites at the Shaw Flat Trail Camp. From there, we walked south on the Shaw Flat Trail, where some of us climbed into another fire-hollowed giant redwood, and then made our second crossing of Pescadero Creek. Though I encouraged hike participants to bring water shoes or sandals, they were not necessary this year because of the low water level. We saw lots of salmon or steelhead fry in the pools along the creek bed.
From the Shaw Flat Trail we took the Old Haul Road 1.8 miles back to the trail head. Across from the trail head parking lot is a large old pear tree bearing lots of fruit. I used my hiking stick to knock pears to the ground. Though they look rather knobby and unappealing on the outside, these pears are sweet juicy, and delicious
TO GET THERE... From Skyline Boulevard at Skylonda, take La Honda Road (Highway 84) west, Just beyond the town of La Honda, turn left on Pescadero Road. Turn left on Wurr Road and continue south about a third of a mile to the parking lot. Wurr Road is just beyond Camp Loma Mar. If you pass the entrance to San Mateo County Memorial Park you have gone too far..
No comments:
Post a Comment