A Wetfoot Loop through Pescadero Creek County Park

Here is a 6 mile loop through Pescadero Creek County Park that shouldn't be attempted during the rainy season when the water level in Pescadero Creek is high. In fact, even in October, when the creek flow is at its lowest there is the risk of wet feet during the two creek crossings.

Start at the Hoffman Flat Trailhead on Wurr Road, which is between San Mateo County Memorial Park and Pescadero Creek County Park. Take the Old Haul Road for .6 miles and then turn left (north) onto the Pomponio Trail to Worley Flat. This route involves a bridgeless crossing of the creek. You can either balance on a log connected to rocks, take off your shoes and socks and wade across the creek, or just charge through the water with your boots on. If you choose the first option a walking stick will come in handy.

This route passes a grassy meadow called Worley Flat, where a large dam was proposed in the 1960's. The Pomponio Trail continues on through oak woodlands and second growth redwoods as it crosses Jones Gulch and Towne Creek. You will probably see lots of banana slugs along the way.  The Parke Gulch Trail is a .5 mile side trip that passes some impressive old-growth redwoods, especially one huge burnt-out redwood with a cavity big enough to hold at least 15 people. Just beyond is a good place to stop for lunch.

We then continued to  the Shaw Flat Trail Camp, which has campsites with iron rings for campfires. There is even an outhouse. From there our plan was to take the Shaw Flat Trail downhill and across the creek in order to connect with the Old Haul Road. Our plans were scuttled by a sign warning that the trail ahead was dangerous due to damage from winter storms. As a result we returned to Shaw Flat and took the Towne Fire Road. This route crosses the creek at a wide spot, where the creek is shallow. About half of the class carefully stepped from rock to rock in order to avoid getting wet feet. The other half just said the hell with it and charged through to the other side. From there it was a 1.4 mile walk back to the parking lot via the Old Haul Road.

TO GET THERE... From La Honda take Highway 84 south and turn left onto Pes

cadero Road and turn left on Wurr Road. If you reach the entrance to San Mateo County Memorial Park you have gone too far.