Portola Redwoods State Park and Pescadero Creek County Park
Hike - September 13, 2008
About Portola Redwoods Park: Portola Redwoods State Park and Pescadero Creek County Park are adjacent to each other in San Mateo County. They are located in a natural stream basin of mixed evergreen forest. Features of these parks are old growth and second-growth coast redwoods and douglas fir which give way to hardwoods, chaparral and grasslands on sunnier hillsides. Huckleberry is the most common understory shrub, and ferns, horsetails and other shade-tolerant plants are found along the creeks. The creeks flow along fault lines where oil seepage and marine fossil deposits hint at the complex geologic history of the area.
Trail Info:
Hike Description: Our hike from the park visitors center will follow the Iverson and Pomponio Trails to the Tarwater Loop. Highlights of our walk will include an abandoned mill site, an albino redwood sapling, one of the largest coast redwoods in the area, an old pioneer cabin, and natural tar in Tarwater Creek. Water and restrooms are available only at the beginning and end.
Park Details
Hours: Call the park. 650-948-9098. The Portola Campground is closed from December 1st to May 1st. Also, in severe weather the park might be closed.
Carpool Info: Meet at 4th Street in Saratoga. The lot is located on located behind Plumed Horse Restaurant. On Highway 9 going through the village of Saratoga, turn right on 4th Street. Parking is first parking lot of the left hand side.
Driving Directions: From Highway 280 take Page Mill Road to Skyline Road. Cross Skyline and continue on Alpine Road. After about 3.5 miles turn left onto Portola State Park Road which takes you another three miles to the park. From Saratoga, take Highway 9 to Skyline Road. Turn right at Skyline and left onto Alpine Road. Page Mill, Alpine, and Portola State Park roads are winding and slow, so allow plenty of time. The park fee is $6 payable at the Park Office. Meet at the Madrone Picnic Area parking lot across the road from the office.
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