My College of San Mateo class began at the Ramada picnic area in Portola State Park and took a 5.5 mile loop that traversed Portola State Park and Pescadero Creek County Park. After paying the entrance fee at the visitors center we parked near the Ramada Group Day Use Area. We then hiked the in and back on the Old Tree Trail to see the biggest redwood in the park. After returning we headed south on the Service Road and over the Pescadero Creek bridge to the Iverson Cabin Site and uphill to connect with the Old Haul Road. This route was once a narrow gauge railroad route used to haul logs to a saw mill. We turned right on the Bridge Trail and, after a short side trip to see the Snag Tree, we stopped for lunch on the banks of Pescadero Creek.
After lunch we crossed the bridge and headed north on the Bridge Trail and then east on the Pomponio Trail back to Portola State Park. Along our route we saw Douglas iris, wild rose, yerba de selva, hairy star tulip, fetid aders tongue, horse tail, redwood sorel, mild maid, and two eyed violet. We also examined a banana slug.
TO GET THERE... From Skyline Boulevard take Alpine Road west and turn south (right) on Portola State Park Road.
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