The Hollow Tree and Meteor Trails

Including Opal Creek and Middle Ridge

Length 8 miles • Climbing 1060 feet

California > San Francisco Bay Area > Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Fire-blackened redwoods on the Meteor Trail

This loop extends north of the visitor's center to nearly the northern extent of Big Basin's old growth redwoods. The loop features the very scenic Meteor Trail and the somewhat less scenic Hollow Tree Trail. There's quite a bit of old growth along the way, and much of the route follows rushing creeks. Nonetheless this hike is not as scenic as the Berry Creek loop, mostly because of the drier climate here.

Click map to show all trails and roads
Part of the Bay Area Trail Map, Saratoga to Big Basin (Redwood Hikes Press, 2010)

Hike description

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The best direction to take the loop is counter-clockwise, since the Hollow Tree Trail is an easier climb than the Meteor Trail, and the Meteor Trail is more scenic in the downhill direction.

Start by hiking north on North Escape Road, which runs along Opal Creek. After crossing an auto bridge, the narrow road runs through some impressive old-growth redwoods. Although it's paved, much of it is covered with redwood needles and it's actually more serene and pleasant than the parallel Skyline-to-the-Sea trail, offering better views of both the redwoods and the creek.

The trail and the road remain close together until they reach a hexagonal kiosk (with interpretive displays) next to an automobile bridge. Immediately after the bridge, turn left onto the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, which runs alongside burbling Opal Creek for another mile before reaching the intersection with the Hollow Tree Trail. (after the Hollow Tree Trail, the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail continues through old-growth redwood forest for another quarter-mile before rising into a hardwood forest).

The Hollow Tree Trail climbs gently at first, then more steeply, though redwood uplands that become increasingly arid-looking. Mid-sized old-growth redwoods are sparsely scattered among the tanoak and other trees, and together with a lively (in winter) creek that runs alongside the trail make for a reasonably scenic ascent. Most of the trees have been blackened by a forest fire. It's not clear which tree, if any, is the hollow tree of the trail's name; at least two good-sized redwoods could qualify, and several smaller redwoods have also been hollowed out by fire. There are a few short stretches where the redwoods have been logged.

The old-growth redwoods give way to logged forest just before the intersection with the Lane-Sunset Rim Trail. Go left, staying on the Hollow Tree Trail, to reach Middle Ridge Fire Road.

Middle Ridge Fire Road descends steeply, offering a few views over the Opal Creek watershed.

The Meteor Trail continues this steep descent, passing through a narrow ravine densely packed with good-sized redwood trees. This trail is the best part of the hike and is also the most scenic of the many trails on the eastern slope of Middle Ridge. The redwood trunks along the upper half of the trail have been blackened by a forest fire. Perhaps because of the fire, the ravine lacks the usual dense understory of huckleberry and tanoak, so the impressive collection of old-growth redwoods is not hidden from view. Redwood sorrel and ferns lining the creek channel. As the trail descends, though, the forest becomes more ordinary-looking, with dense underbrush clogging the views.

For variety, take the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail instead of North Escape Road on the way back to park headquarters. The trail passes the now-empty site of a 19th-century homestead. There are few big trees in this area, but it's unclear if that's a result of logging since no stumps are visible.

North Escape Road and the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail

© 2005, 2010 David Baselt