Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is the perfect place to immerse yourself in lush redwood groves while overlooking sweeping views of the Santa Cruz Mountains’ Sierra Azul Range. Just three miles southwest of Los Gatos, the preserve offers 1,430 acres of diverse ecology to explore through six miles of hiking and equestrian trails.
Bear Creek Redwoods is known for its second-growth redwoods that date back to less than 150 years ago. During California’s Gold Rush era in the mid-1800s, the majority of the property’s old-growth redwoods were cut down for lumber. Some of the older redwoods still remain and can be found on the Alma Trail. Loggers were only interested in straight trees so they left some unusually shaped trees for today’s visitors to admire.
While Bear Creek Redwoods is a relatively small area, it has a wide variety of trail options.
The Upper Lake Loop Trail is an easy-access 0.2-mile trail that can accommodate mobility devices and strollers. Showcasing habitat restoration sites and historical artifacts, visitors can follow a self-guided interpretive tour to enhance the loop hike experience. The brochure guide is available at the preserve and online to download.
Next to the main parking lot and the Upper Lake Loop Trail is the Alma Cultural Landscape that was the site of logging operations, several estates, and Alma College. The site has an easy-access trail and interpretive signage. Visit the Alma Cultural Landscape Interpretive Tour web page.
Hikers looking for a longer, more challenging route should check out the Bear Creek Redwoods loop. The 7.4 mile hike takes about 3-4 hours and has an elevation gain of 2,940 feet. You can climb a few hundred additional feet to the Madrone Knoll summit, reaching the highest point of the preserve at 2,400 feet to take in spectacular views of Santa Cruz Mountain topography. Note that the knoll is treed in, so look for a side path to get the views.
Bear Creek Redwoods is also home to Bear Creek Stables, a horse boarding and training facility as well as a 2.6-mile out-and-back equestrian trail.
Whether you come to admire beautiful redwoods and native plants or deepen your California history knowledge, Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve has something for everyone.
Click here to learn more about Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and its many offerings.
Category:
