Big Basin
Redwoods State Park
Silicon Valley's mountain retreat
Big Basin from the Basin Trail
Big Basin is only 20 miles from San Jose, a one-hour drive along twisty mountain roads. But when you arrive at the extraordinary park headquarters area, where graceful conifers rise high above 1930s lodge-style buildings, and when you step out into the crisp cool air, you'll feel like you're at a remote mountain resort.
All of Big Basin's old-growth redwood trails start near park headquarters, located in a basin-like valley. An alluvial flat that extends about a quarter mile north and a quarter mile south of park headquarters has the biggest trees and most attractive woods in the park.
Middle Ridge, rising 1000 feet above the flat, divides the park into two noticably different environments. The region to the east of the ridge is in a rain shadow. Particularly north of park headquarters where the ridge is highest, this area tends to be somewhat dry and not especially attractive. Broadleaf trees grow along with the redwoods, reducing visibility, and the ground is mostly bare dirt and leaf litter, giving the forest a disheveled appearance. The redwoods are not generally very large and many have been blackened by fire. The region to the west of the ridge tends to be greener and much more attractive. Sorrel and ferns cover the ground, large trees are more common, and the forest has a richer, healthier look. The park headquarters area is a dramatic exception to this pattern. This outstanding area has many ancient redwoods but little ground cover, suggesting that its water mainly comes from Opal Creek rather than from direct rainfall.
Big Basin is a popular park. Although it's never unbearably crowded, around noon on sunny weekends a stream of cars pours into the small parking lot and it can be hard to find parking. Arrive before 10 am or after 5 pm to avoid the rush.
The Timms Creek Trail
Old-growth redwood hikes
*** Berry Creek loop (10 miles; 6 miles with Timms Creek shortcut)
Sunny, pleasant redwood uplands followed by miles of streamside redwood forest with some impressive groves. Lots of hills. The best long redwood hike south of Humboldt County.
*** Redwood Loop (0.6 mile)
By far the most popular trail in Big Basin, this is a very nice loop through an alluvial flat with the park's most impressive trees.
** Sequoia Trail (4.5 miles)
An easy walk, mostly alongside paved park roads, from park headquarters to Sempervirens Falls, then over Slippery Rock and down an attractive redwood-covered ravine. The hike ends with a return on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.
* Hollow Tree and Meteor Trails (8 miles)
A climb through a rather dry, fire-blackened redwood forest, a descent through a nice redwood-lined ravine, and a jaunt along Opal Creek.
* Blooms Creek Loop (3 miles)
A short hike along Blooms Creek followed by a climb through rather uninteresting forest and a descent that winds around attractive redwood-lined ravines.
* Creeping Forest loop (3 miles)
A climb through a mixed redwood forest.
* Shadowbrook Trail (4.7 miles)
Passes by Sempervirens Falls and many of Big Basin's campgrounds.
Other hikes
*** West Ridge Trail (9.4 miles)
This one-way hike joins two of the most scenic parts of western Big Basin: the Rancho del Oso valley and Chalk Mountain. Between is a very strenuous climb to a wooded ridgetop.
** Basin Trail Loop (12 miles)
Half of this loop is on the Basin Trail, which doesn't have any old-growth redwoods but does have some great views over Big Basin and some pleasant chaparral. The other half of this loop does go through redwoods, and although it's not the most impressive redwood forest, it makes a nice contrast with the chaparral.
** Buzzard's Roost (5 miles)
A 1200-foot climb to a panoramic view over Big Basin. The only redwoods are at the bottom of the hill, but they're nice. A popular hike.
Big Basin park headquarters
Getting to Big Basin
From the Bay Area, the most popular way to reach the Big Basin park headquarters is to take Highway 17 from Los Gatos to Felton, then Highway 9 to Boulder Creek and Route 236 to Big Basin. An alternate route is Big Basin Way (Route 236) south from Saratoga. This way is shorter but it's also narrow and twisty, so unless highway 17 is clogged with summer beach traffic the two routes will take the same amount of time.
Parking at park headquarters is $6.00 per car. The park has a gift shop which also offers sandwiches, chili, and ice cream. The gift shop as well as the visitor center and ranger station may be closed in winter. The nearest grocery store, gas station, and drugstore is in Boulder Creek.
Related websites
Weather
Trails
Group hikes
Camping
- Campground reservations are available through ReserveAmerica. Click on "sites 103-156" or "sites 6-75". The Sempervirens campground is not as nice and the other campgrounds are for large groups.
- Tent cabins must be reserved through RezWeb. There is a two-night minimum stay on weekends.
Other
- Docent Scott Peden's website has photos of Big Basin's flora and fauna. I especially like the pictures of baby banana slugs.
- After a long hike in Big Basin, nothing beats having a beer and a hearty German dinner on the Tyrolean Inn's redwood-shaded patio.
© 2006 David Baselt
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