El Corte de Madera Creek Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Wildflowers

This is an undulating trail with scattered steep sections.

The multi-use El Corte de Madera Creek Trail can be accessed from the parking area at Skegg's Point. From the parking lot, head North on Skyline Blvd for 100m or so until you see a trailhead on your left. There should be a gate and park map there. Take the trail on the right side that goes moderately downhill. The road noise fades and instead you hear the sound of trickling water in all but the driest months.

The vegetation becomes more lush and the trail narrows, heading into a canyon. Enjoy the mellow, forested hillsides with fouglas fir and redwoods. There are many burned out redwood stumps here along the creek. Enjoy the picturesque creek crossings. The trail turns from fire road to singletrack at the halfway point. This is also the site of one of the earliest sawmills in the canyon. Run through a damp fern grove and then climb back up to Star Hill Road. This trail is often used to access other trails in Skeggs, such as North Leaf Trail or Tafoni Trail. Note: bikes are allowed on this trail.

Look for redwood and tanoak trees, some California bay, madrone, and huckleberry. Trilliums and redwood sorrel bloom in spring. Giant chain ferns. Hound's tongue in early spring and starflower in June.