Sulphur Springs Road

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Sulphur Springs Road climbs from Hihn's Mill Road to Ridge Trail. It is typically used as part of longer runs through Soquel Demonstration State Forest. From the parking area at Highland Way, take Hihn's Mill Road for about 2.5 miles to find Sulphur Springs Road on the left (south).

Turning left onto Sulphur Springs Road, the trail begins climbing immediately. It climbs continuously at a moderate grade as it winds through the redwood forest to end high above on a ridge top at Ridge Trail. Once on Sulphur Springs Road, almost immediately, there is a short spur trail to the right that goes to a helicopter pad. Then, about 0.25 miles from the trail start, if you look carefully in the woods to the right (west) of the trail, there is what looks like a tiny pond; this is Sulphur Springs.

At about mile 0.4, Sulphur Springs Road passes Corral Trail. Veer right here to stay on Sulphur Springs Road. The forest here is mostly redwoods, and the trail winds along a steep hillside carved by seasonal streams that run down off the high ridge ahead. As the trail climbs, fleeting views of the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains emerge through the trees. Near the top/end, the redwoods give way to some oaks, manzanita, firs, and other vegetation.

Sulphur Springs Road reaches the ridge top after about 1.5 miles, crosses another helicopter pad, and then ends at Ridge Trail after 1.6 total miles. The end of Sulphur Springs Road is at about mile 1.5 along Ridge Trail.

Redwoods, and oaks, manzanitas, and firs towards the top.