 Four CrossingsLength 6.6 mi · Climbing 1360 feetCalifornia > San Francisco Bay Area > Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
The San Lorenzo River at the Diversion Dam Trail Background
This hike passes through the most distinctive and attractive part of Henry Cowell State Park, the deep oxbow gorge of the lower San Lorenzo River. This route involves wading across the green-tinted river four times, adding a fun element to the hike and making it ideal for warm late-summer days. The river is too high to be crossed during the rainy season. Beginning in June, the water level gradually falls and the river can be crossed from July until the rains begin again, usually in mid-October, when the water abruptly rises. Henry Cowell park is a popular destination for horseback riding, and except for Pipeline Road the trail (and every other trail in the park) is liberally scattered with horse manure. Hike description
Begin at the popular Rincon parking area on Highway 9. The trail crosses a set of railroad tracks and begins to descend through second-growth redwoods. The trail then turns and parallels the river, passing under attractive streamside forest. Stay to the left to access the Diversion Dam Trail, which climbs onto the steep hillside, offering a nice view of the river far below. The trail descends to the first river crossing. To your left, the river cascades over rocks into a deep pool. To your right, the pool is a little shallower. The bottom is studded with large rocks, but the rocks are slick with algae and it's best not to stand on them. This crossing is normally 3-4 feet deep in late summer and is the deepest crossing of the four.
Part of the Annotated Trail Map of the San Lorenzo Valley (Redwood Hikes Press, 2006) Click here to see the trailhead location in Google Maps or in Google Street View. On the far side is a small sand beach. The trail begins climbing through unexceptional second-growth redwoods with little groundcover. Turn left onto Rincon Road and continue climbing. This area, from the beach to the crest of the hill, is the least scenic part of the hike. The road levels out at the Big Rock Hole trail, which may not be marked (although there is a "no bicycles" sign on the trail to your left). Turn right onto the trail and begin descending. The forest is more scenic in this area, with some larger redwoods. At one point there's a great view of the river below. The trail emerges from the forest at a rocky beach but does not immediately cross the river. It may be difficult to spot, but look for a path through the rocks to your left. The stretch from the second to the third crossings is the most scenic part of the hike. Here, the woods are lusher and more attractive than elsewhere in the park, and the steep, redwood-covered walls of the gorge rise up around you. The second crossing is the easiest and is normally about 18 inches deep. Small rocks line the bottom and the trail on the other side should be clearly visible. Once on the other side, the trail climbs gently up a low wooded hill inside the oxbow. The trail runs along the edge of the forest, providing views of the wide rocky flat that becomes part of the river bottom in winter. The trail ducks into a small but nice second-growth redwood grove, with a carpeting of redwood sorrel, before emerging again at the river's edge.
Redwood grove on the Buckeye Trail The third crossing is again only about 18 inches deep, with a nice sandy bottom, but it's wide. The trail on the opposite shore is not easily visible. Angle to your right at about 45° to the shore. After the crossing, the trail runs along the river for a ways, then crosses a stream and enters the woods. A long, moderately steep climb through a mixed-species forest follows. The trail ends at the paved Pipeline Road. Turn left and enjoy the easy stroll up a gentle incline through bright woods. The trail crests at a bench with a commanding view of the green San Lorenzo River valley, including the oxbow you just hike through. In the distance you can see the town of Santa Cruz, the Monterey Bay, and the mountains on the other side of the bay. Continue a short way on Pipeline Road and turn left at the next trail. Turn left again onto either Big Rock Hole Trail or Rincon Road. You'll see a few large trees including the Cathedral Tree, but the woods are otherwise unexceptional. As the trail descends to the river, the hoots of Roaring Camp's steam trains and the sounds of traffic on Highway 9 echo through the valley below. The final crossing is narrow but about two and a half feet deep. Climb up the sand beach on the other side and climb back to the parking lot on Rincon Road.
Overlook on Pipeline Road Links
© 2006 David Baselt |
