Some people just can't get beyond the name. "Memorial Park? Sounds like a cemetery," was a comment from a friend when I mentioned my trip to San Mateo County's small park somewhat lost and unknown among the larger neighboring Pescadero Creek and Portola parks. Memorial Park's name seems a little strange, but consider that the land, acquired by the county in 1924, was named for the men of San Mateo County who were killed in World War I. Somehow the sentiment seems appropriate for a park huddled under redwoods; these reverent old trees encourage contemplation. Pets, horses, and bikes are not permitted in the park, and that lends to the tranquil atmosphere.
     Upon arrival at Memorial, you may get the feeling that day hikers, while welcome, aren't the park's bread and butter. The main attractions at this park nestled back in the forest on the shores of Pescadero Creek, are camping and picnicking. On my first visit I drove around for a while wondering where to park; all the roads seem to lead to campsites. I finally asked a ranger and was directed to the Tanoak Picnic Area, where I parked in the deserted lot.
     Memorial lends itself to a getaway weekend of day hiking and camping. From the park you can hike into Pescadero Creek County Park, or further yet, to Portola State Park, or even into Butano State Park. After a day of hiking, you could return to the park, take a swim in the creek, then sleep peacefully under the redwoods.
     Inside Memorial there are a few trails that wind through and around the campgrounds and picnic areas on the south side of Pescadero Road, but better hiking can be found on the north side of the road. Pomponio Trail, Mt. Ellen Nature Trail, and Mt. Ellen Summit Trail connect to create a few possible loop hikes. The longest loop (the featured hike) is an easy 5 mile jaunt, but this is definitely not a case where length dictates quality. Amazing views, redwoods, chaparral, and a riparian corridor comprise this quiet trek on hiking-only trails. If you'd like to take the self-guided nature trail, stop at the entrance kiosk to borrow a pamphlet.
     For the featured hike, start at the Tanoak Picnic Area and walk back 0.10 mile, past the entry kiosk, to Pescadero Road. Aim for the signed trail across the street and carefully cross the road. Begin on Mt. Ellen Loop Trails, which are open to hikers only. California bay, coast live oak, tanoak, and redwood permit little light to filter down to the forest floor, and huckleberry and hazelnut are abundant. During a nicely-graded easy climb traffic noise from Pescadero Road is audible. After 0.23 mile, the trail splits at a signed junction. Bear left, following the signs for Pomponio Trail.
     This leg of Mt. Ellen Nature Trail ascends slightly through the woods on a narrow path. Look for redwood sorrel, yerba buena, starflower, and trillium in the spring. At 0.33 mile, the trail splits at a signed junction. Take the trail to the left, downhill, toward Pomponio Trail.
     Fallen trees litter the forest floor. In autumn a bigleaf maple is conspicuous. You'll pass a signpost confirming you're headed to Pomponio Trail, and then at 0.43 mile, you'll reach an undersigned junction. A fire road heads back to Pescadero Road to the left. Turn right onto Pomponio Trail.
     The wide, hiking-only trail starts out under redwoods, along a creek. A sunny little clearing along the trail is overgrown with blackberries and nettles. As Pomponio Trail starts a slight climb, look for dogwood, thimbleberry, hazelnut, and creambush. Poison oak is common. Redwoods are left behind and in their absence you'll have a clear view uphill to the right, of the chaparral and Douglas fir dotted ridgeline. The trail makes a turn to the left and begins a serious (although still easy) climb. A series of long, broad switchbacks make the ascent a breeze. Along the way, fallen bigleaf maple leaves add color and crunch to a hike in autumn, and ferns create a lush feel. You may see gooseberry, currant, coast live oak, California bay, huckleberry, and hazelnut. Forget-me-not blooms are abundant from late winter through spring. Huge old Douglas firs hold court on the sides of the trail. As the fire road narrows, a fence to the left marks the park boundary, and Pomponio Trail steps out of the shade and into sunny chaparral. Coyote brush, ceanothus, California coffeeberry, creambush, bush monkeyflower, sagebrush, and poison oak are common. Views open up to the south. The path is slight and ascends almost imperceptibly. A rest bench on the left makes a great rest or lunch spot. Although the park's map shows a path leading to a viewpoint, this trail is no longer maintained -- you may notice the faint overgrown trace of the path, however, across the trail from a Pomponio Trail signpost. A slump in the hillside has left a few feet of the trail lumpy and unstable. You might see California fuchsia and coyote mint blooming in late summer. Douglas firs edge into the chaparral, and the trail starts a subtle downhill tack. Pomponio Trail ducks beneath a few coast live oaks draped with lace lichen, then cuts through the chaparral one last time before returning to tree cover. After a few switchbacks and a very short climb, the trail drops down to a signed junction at 3.93 miles. You can cut this hike short by continuing straight and returning on the Mt. Ellen Nature Trail, but for the featured hike bear left onto Mt. Ellen Summit Trail.
     A few short stiff switchbacks sweep uphill to the narrow ridge line. A segment of fence seems out of place here, but if you carefully peak over the side, you'll notice an alarming dropoff. Partial views to the north are mostly blocked by Douglas firs. Narrow Mt. Ellen Summit Trail, open to hikers only, picks its way along the ridge. Look for nuts on hazelnut shrubs in August, and in autumn, red berries from toyon and honeysuckle brighten the Douglas fir and coast live oak woods. The summit is not signed, but it is marked, in a way, by an exposed large flat, sandy rock. Mt. Ellen Summit Trail starts a descent, with switchbacks keeping the grade moderate. Fallen needles on the path mark the reemergence of redwoods, and they are accompanied by California bays and lush forest vegetation, with lots of hazelnut and blackberry brambles. At 4.73 miles, stay to the left as Mt. Ellen Nature Trail heads right at a signed junction.
    The trail continues downhill. You might notice a little bunch of buckeye trees, somewhat out of place in a redwood forest. At 4.83 miles, you'll reach a previously encountered junction with the other end of Mt. Ellen Nature Trail. Turn left and retrace your steps back to the trailhead.

Total distance: 5.06 miles (includes the out-and-back walk from the parking area)
Last hiked: Wednesday, September 18, 2002


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