In
brief:
6.9 mile loop captures the best of this preserve -- redwoods, creek, chaparral,
and great views.
Distance and difficulty:
This nearly 7 mile loop hike is moderate, due to the elevation changes.
You can create shorter out-and-back hikes that are easier. Trailhead elevation
is around 400 feet, and the highest (trail) elevation in the park is just
over 2000 feet. The featured hike climbs to about 1510 feet, then drops
sharply back to the trailhead on steep Harkins Ridge Trail -- total elevation
change is about 1480 feet. Unless you really like ascending steep grades, take the hike
in the described direction.
Exposure:
Mostly shaded, with some sunny stretches.
Trail traffic:
Moderate.
Trail surfaces:
Dirt trails and fire roads.
Hiking time:
3 1/2 hours.
Season:
Nice any time; very pretty in autumn.
Getting there:
From the junction of CA 1 and CA 92 in San Mateo County, drive south 1.2
miles, then turn east onto Higgins Canyon Road (formerly Higgins-Purisima
Road). Drive on this narrow road about 4.2 miles, to the trailhead on the
left side of the road (just past the tiny white bridge).
GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude
37°26'15.16"N
Longitude 122°22'14.20"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
Pay phone, stores, gas, lodging, and restaurants back in Half Moon Bay.
No camping in the preserve. Nearest camping is at Half
Moon Bay State Beach. Other camping options: Butano
State Park and Portola Redwoods State Park.
Trailhead details:
Parking for about 8 cars (there is some side-of-road parking outside the gate -- mind the no parking signs). No entrance or parking fees. One designated handicapped
parking spot. Vault toilets less than 0.1 mile up the trail. Maps available
at the information signboard, also less than 0.1 mile from the trailhead.
The preserve's main trailhead is on Skyline Boulevard, about 4.5 miles south
of CA 92. A smaller Skyline Boulevard Trailhead, across from Huddart Park,
is about 2 miles further south. There is no direct public transportation
to this trailhead.
Rules:
Most trails are multi-use. A few trails are open to hikers only. Dogs are
not allowed in the preserve. Preserve is open from dawn to 1/2 hour after
sunset.
The Official Story:
MROSD's Purisima page.
MROSD field office 650-691-1200
Map Choices:
This hike is described and mapped in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: San Francisco, by Jane Huber (yup, that's me, the creator of this website).
Order this book from Amazon.com.
• Map from MROSD (download pdf).
• Dave Baselt's Skyline Ridge map is an excellent guide to the area (order from Redwood Hikes).
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