FOM FOK Hiking Group

Castle Rock

Description

The short hike is about 2.5 miles and consists of a mostly long, gradual descent, then a long, level walk, a short moderate climb, a long gradual climb, a short, moderate descent, and a long, gradual climb back to the beginning. The trail is covered for 2/3 of the distance of the short hike. There are two streams to cross (one you cross twice) and a great view of Castle Rock Falls. There are two benches along the way, a lookout area over Castle Rock Falls, informational signs, meadows of wildflowers, and some great views. There are some spectacular rock formations, and you will usually see several areas with rock climbers. On a clear day, you may see the ocean.

Poison oak is usually not a problem, if you stay to the middle of the usually wide trails and pay attention. The trails are heavily used, so expect lots of traffic. Toilets are available at the Park Headquarters. You may have to use your hands to climb over rocks in one or two areas. This hike is moderate on the "Wimble Scale".

The short hike is about 1.5 to 2 hours long. Plan on at least two small water bottles.

Directions

Pay $5 to park at the parking lots. This is a heavily used park, and on most good weather weekends, the lot fills up early.
Begin at the Park Headquarters ,where there are toilet facilities and a park map, and go southeast along the trail towards Castle Rock.
There is an intersection near the top of the ridge. Bear right to Castle Rock, passing another large rock formation.
Pass behind Castle Rock to the right, and circle around it to the left. The trail begins a long, gradual descent.
Intersect with the mail trail again, bear left.
Cross a wooden bridge which brings you to the intersection of the Ridge Trail leading to Goat Rock, and the Saratoga Gap Trail, leading to Castle Rock Falls. Bear left, heading towards the falls.
Shortly down the trail you come to the falls, which has a lookout platform. You may see rock climbers here making a descent to the deep ravine at the bottom of the falls.
Continue along the trail and leave the cover as you head west along the Saratoga Gap Trail.
There is one point where you will have to crawl over some large boulders. This is easy, though some may want to use their hands for steadiness. The ridge at this point falls sharply away from the trail.
Shortly after passing a meadow, often filled with wildflowers, you cross a creek which has a bench where you can rest.
Continue on beyond the bench, around the corner, and you come to an intersection with another trail. If you continue on westward, you will double the length of hte hike and end up near the campground. For the shorter hike, bear right and do a short, moderate climb to the intersection of the Ridge Trail.
At the intersection of the Ridge Trail, bear right and climb gradually.
There is an intersection on the right with a short trail that takes you to a vista point.
There is an optional trail to the left that takes you to an information pavillion and you can loop back to Goat Rock.
Continue along the Ridge Trail until just before Goat Rock, where there is another intersecting trail to the right which takes you to a vista point with a bench.
The trail now curves to the left of Goat Rock (the old trail went to the right). Begin the descent around Goat Rock.
As you pass Goat Rock, you can look back and you will likely see some rock climbers. This is a favorite location for climbers.
Continue bearing left and descend moderately until you intersect with the Saratoga Gap Trail at the wooden bridge.
Bear left and stay on the main trail. You will cross a few more wooden bridges as you make a long, gradual climb back to the Park Headquarters.

Flowers

[Many—to be filled in yet]

Trip Reports

Saturday, May 13, 2000

Click on pictures below to view 1024 x 768 versions (approximately 1 MB in size).

Michael leads the group into one of the caves for the annual Snipe population count.

Gwen, Kathy, and Nancy reenact the mysterious "Goddess of Castle Rock" in the English Pantomime tradition.

Singing is highly encouraged during our hikes. Here, Kathy does one of her famous Michael Jackson impressions.

One of the rock climbers at Goat Rock.

One of the many wonderous caves you can find if you pay attention as you hike.