First, we met at 10 am at the main parking lot on the west side of Skyline Boulevard, about 4.5 miles south of where it intersects Highway 92. Then we carpooled a couple of miles south on Skyline Boulevard to a small parking lot at the southern end of the preserve. We then headed downhill on the Purisima Creek Trail, which is actually a dirt road, for 1.6 miles. On the way down we encountered a giant Pacific coast salamander, which is the largest amphibian on the west coast. They are one of the few creatures that can eat banana slugs.
We then turned right (north) on the the Craig Britton Trail, which winds through redwood forests and then climbs up through chaparral to the where it intersects the Harkins Ridge Trail. We ate lunch at a bridge over a creek. The Craig Britton Trail reveals that this is a very diverse park. It climbs above the second-growth redwoods, and passes through chaparral and groves of Douglas fir and oak
From the Craig Britton Trail we charged uphill on the Harkins Ridge Trail, which is the steepest part of the hike. The day started out drizzly and overcast, but then the sky cleared and the sun came out just in time for us to enjoy beautiful views of Pillar Point, Half Moon Bay, and the Pacific Ocean from a great lookout where the trail intersects a private road which leaves the preserve.
Along the Harkins Ridge Trail some of us took a faint use trail to view an enormous gnarly old-growth redwood which is known as the Ohlone Whisper Tree. According to legend, if you touch the tree and listen carefully it will whisper to you the words you most need to hear. Loggers left it standing because its fire scars made it not worth cutting. From there we continued to the intersection with the North Ridge Trail and then continued uphill to the parking lot.
TO GET THERE... The main parking lot is on the west side of Skyline Boulevard about 4.5 miles south of Highway 92.
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