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 Reporter |
Summary: If you love waterfalls, this is your hike. This hike provides you with four different waterfalls in a moderate to strenuous 12 mile loop through the Redwoods of California's first State Park. Be sure to keep an eye out for one of the park's most famous inhabitant, the Banana Slug! This is another hike that you'll definately want to bring along your camera! For more details and photos visit my website The Backcountry: Berry Creek Falls. Trailhead: From the town of Santa Cruz, head North on Highway 9 approximately 12 miles to Boulder Creek. At the traffic light in town turn left on Highway 236. Drive about 10 miles until you reach the park headquarters. (Lat:37.17 Lon:-122.22) Trail Guides for Berry Creek Falls, Big Basin State Park, CA: California Hiking by Tom Stienstra & Ann Marie Brown (Foghorn Press) The Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Book by Tom Taber (Oak Valley Pr) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Big Basin Redwoods State Park, (831) 338-8860 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Mike Matenkosky, who has posted 18 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Viewer on 6/16/2009 We've done this hike a number of times (3-4 times). The falls are very nice. Also, one of the upper falls requires you to use some cables in order to pass from the ravine. You literally are at the top of the waterfalls edge! They are not fall from Berry Falls, so don't forget to visit them! This is the most popular place to view the banana slugs. We've seen them on every hike. This is a strenuous and long hike to the falls. The Sunset trail is even more difficult. There are lots of ups and downs with not much to see. If you think this is a 5 star, then visit the Steep Ravine trail (Stinson beach) or the Pinnacles NM trail (Soledad). You will enjoy them even more. This trail also has the drawback of not having a bathroom located nearby. 
Reviewed by mike on 2/17/2009 10 on a scale of ten for Beuaty!! Would highly recomend this hike. This is favorite hike of all time. Not too strenuous. The 3 waterfall loop is about 6 hours at a moderate pace, with plenty of time to take in the sights. The journey on this is also spectacular.
Reviewed by Jilly on 12/27/2007 Had heard/read a lot of good reviews about this hike. We, my husband and I, went on a rainy day. We were well prepared for the rain. But what shocked us was the number of Newts on one stretch of the trail. There were 100s and 1000s of Newts on the trail (I cannot stand any lizard like creatures, this was terrifying to me, took me over 6 months to get over it and go hiking again). We could not walk for fear of stepping on them. We had to head back. Will try this again on a sunny day.
Reviewed by sailinsteve on 4/19/2006 I've been taking the loop for years and it's differnt every year, what with erosion, more or less water and other stuff. It's also a primary part of the skyline to the sea trail and just before silver falls you get the chance to go off toward the ocean. That's also a very nice trip, especially if you can get someone to pick you up at the beach! 
Reviewed by Suz on 12/2/2005 We hiked in the rain and it was an amazing experience.
Reviewed by Tracy on 9/25/2005 We have hiked this many times, and we love it! The falls are particularly impressive in the spring following a rainy winter.(But later in the year sometimes they are just a trickle) The Sunset trail passes through chapparal, redwoods & sandstone rock formations. This is always a fun hike with lots to see.
Reviewed by SA on 4/18/2005 Very good. The waterfall at Berry Creek trail is fantastic, a natural ionizer.
Reviewed by Keith on 6/28/2004 A nice walk through the forest, but the waterfalls were not particularly impressive. Pretty bad roads to get there if you follow mapquest and take 35. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Santa Cruz County Hiking, Santa Cruz County Trails, Santa Cruz County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||