Big Basin Waterfalls??

topic posted Sun, March 2, 2008 - 7:08 PM by  Crystel
Has anyone hiked the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail? Here's the Weekend Sherpa take on the hike. I'm thinking next weekend, but I'd love to hear some personal accounts of the trek before I take off.

Deep in beautiful Big Basin Redwoods State Park is a series of waterfalls that even Indiana Jones would be keen to find. Discover them by taking the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, a solid 11-mile loop Big Basin Waterfalls - Golden Cascade Falls (round-trip) that leads through towering redwoods, across multiple wooden bridges, and past fern canyons to the marquee highlight: three raging waterfalls, all within a mile of each other. First up is the photogenic park favorite, Berry Creek Falls; its 70-foot drop is spectacular after the recent rains. Take a breather on a wooden platform bench, then continue along the creek-side trail to Silver Falls. You can get up close to this one, feeling the mist while climbing the wet and muddy rock stairs that hug its slope. Last up is Golden Cascade Falls, a multi-tiered rushing watercourse that gets its deep orange hue from the rock minerals. Grab a seat on the trunk of a giant fallen tree and savor your waterfall hat trick.

To complete the 11-mile loop: From the Visitors Center, start on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. After about 4 miles, turn right on Berry Creek Falls Trail. Follow this past all three waterfalls, then turn right on Sunset Trail, which takes you back to the Visitors Center. Allow at least six hours to complete this loop.
posted by:
Crystel
SF Bay Area
  • Re: Big Basin Waterfalls??

    Sun, March 2, 2008 - 9:14 PM
    I' ve always wanted to take this hike do you know if they allow dogs? I'd like to take mine.
    • Re: Big Basin Waterfalls??

      Sun, March 2, 2008 - 9:21 PM
      OK answered my own question. From the Park's website.

      "Dogs are welcome in the park but must be on a leash at all times. They are allowed in the picnic area, the campground area, and on paved roads only. Dogs are not allowed anywhere at Rancho del Oso or on any other trails or interior roads. They must be kept in the car or tent at night. They may not be left unattended"
  • Re: Big Basin Waterfalls??

    Mon, March 3, 2008 - 9:33 AM
    Skyline-to-the-Sea trail is very nice. I did it going downhill, it's ~10+ miles each day and you have to arrange two cars, of course. It's not as wild as you might find in the Sierras or Henry Coe, there's a long section that goes parallel to the road and thru neighborhoods, but it's still worth doing, and those waterfalls are beautiful!
  • Re: Big Basin Waterfalls??

    Tue, March 4, 2008 - 1:19 AM
    It was almost one year ago this weekend when a friend of mine and I packed in and camped at one of the trail camps (permit required). It was a fantastic hike--it will get cold at night near the coast so bring some good cold weather gear if you are planning on camping...and/or the weather goes sour. The waterfalls weren't "raging", even though it had been raining. Still, much more impressive falls at this time of year than in the summer or fall...

    Have fun there next weekend!
    • Re: Big Basin Waterfalls??

      Tue, March 4, 2008 - 10:00 PM
      Thanks so much to everyone! I'm looking forward to an excellent day on Sunday. I'll post pictures. :)
      • Re: Big Basin Waterfalls??

        Fri, March 7, 2008 - 4:32 PM
        Please do!
        • lea
          lea
          offline 5

          Re: Big Basin Waterfalls??

          Thu, May 8, 2008 - 3:47 PM
          to hike part of the skyline to the sea trail, you can take a bus from santa cruz up to big basin headquarters (runs twice a day on saturday and sunday) and hike down to the ocean...a bus runs twice a day from waddell beachinto santa cruz. i just did this this past sunday-tuesday...very uncrowded, apart from a group at Berry Creek Falls, but definitely chilly at night, but nice, quiet, well-marked trails...i know most people have cars, but to hike one way, you can do this, and only $3 for transportation!
  • Re: Big Basin Waterfalls??

    Thu, May 8, 2008 - 5:21 PM
    This is a beautiful place! Not sure if the waterfalls will be at their best this time of year... but if anyone's interested in doing the same hike from the ocean, we're doing that one on Saturday (see "Upcoming Hikes All Around the Bay" post).

    Cheers!
    :)
    Mike

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