Purisima Creek Redwoods, starting in the north-west corner

Saturday, 14 July 2007 I finally made a longer day-hike in the Purisima Creek Redwoods. Two friends and I followed the 7 mile, 1200-feet-gained circuit suggested in 101 Hikes in Norther California by Matt Heid. We spent about three hours on the hike, including stopping for views and snack. We travelled the circuit anti-clockwise, starting from the Higgins-Purisima parking area (PC05). You reach this parking area by taking 92 West to Half Moon Bay, then head south on US 1 until Verde road. Head as straight as possible on Verde road for a few miles. The parking area is on the right, just as the road takes a very sharp uphill left turn. Though you might see many cars, in our experience the hike is fairly intimate and you have plenty of quiet space.

You start out deep in a heavily wooded valley, and climb slowly along the Purisima Creek Trail. Once you meet the Soda Gulch trail, keep left (it's actually kind of straight) and climb a bit faster. Eventually the towering redwoods give way to a long view across the valley you've just circumnavigated, and the already good hike becomes a great hike.

Just as we started the steep descent on the Harkins Ridge Trail, fog from Half Moon Bay fell over the mountain tops. We slipped underneath this blanket as we made our way through the switchbacks and returned to the parking lot. If you just want a quick, steep hike to a great vista, start from the same parking lot and reverse our route. However, you shouldn't underestimate the beauty and impact of the redwoods on the rest of the hike. Perhaps my favorite sights on this trip were the stands of five to ten redwoods growing together in tight circles.