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A beautiful trail that gives you amazing views of the Santa Cruz Mountains.


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Map Key

4.1

Miles

6.6

KM

87%

Runnable

3,005' 916 m

High

2,101' 640 m

Low

363' 111 m

Up

1,046' 319 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

This is a very easy trail to follow. Start at the main parking lot and head straight in on the Saratoga Gap Trail. There are not too many turnoffs and all are well labeled. The beginning of the trail is covered by trees, but shortly after you hit the falls area, the trail opens up to give you amazing views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. You can cut back to the parking lot for a shorter run on some of the turnoff trails or make this a longer out and back by following the trail to the end.

Contacts

Shared By:

Anina Middleton

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 3 votes

#7471

Overall
  4.7 from 3 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
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2 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#597

in California

#7,471

Overall
9 Views Last Month
4,783 Since Dec 30, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

The blue mountains of Santa Cruz!
Jan 22, 2016 near Monte S…, CA
One of many views from the Castle Rock Loop.
Dec 21, 2015 near Monte S…, CA
Castle Rock Loop walk.
Feb 10, 2023 near Monte S…, CA
Saratoga Gap Trail.
Dec 31, 2015 near Monte S…, CA
View from Castle Rock State Park.
Dec 31, 2015 near Monte S…, CA
Mossy rocks in Castle Rock State Park.
Dec 31, 2015 near Monte S…, CA

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Check-Ins

Dec 12, 2022
John Stevenson
Nov 29, 2020
Suhas Gundimeda
Great trail for running. Some sections are too narrow to run/pass other hikers on. Run is broken up very well by bouldering sections. Good signpost… 3mi
Nov 9, 2019
Corey B
combined this w ridge trail which is more of a rock climb. plenty of people early on trail. great views deeper into trail w less ppl. cliff travers… 6mi
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