Guided Hike at Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Join Sempervirens Fund, for an engaging, spring-themed group hike through one of California’s most iconic redwood landscapes. Sempervirens Fund is a local nonprofit that protects redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains, preserves the plants and animals that make them home, and restores the balance of nature.

This guided hike will take place at Big Basin Redwoods State Park on Thursday, April 9, where we’ll explore the park’s riparian habitat, an ecologically rich environment. We’ll observe how the forest is recovering from the CZU Lighting Complex Fire, noticing what’s missing, what’s returning, and the new vegetation that has emerged in the years since the fire. This hike offers a meaningful opportunity to witness redwood resiliency.

The hike will be led by volunteer Hike Leader and docent Liza C., with support from Gary W., who brings expertise in flora and plant identification. Spring is a wonderful time to experience the redwood forest, with potential opportunities to witness wildflowers, amphibians, banana slugs, fungi, and a variety of birds.

What to Expect:

This hike is rated moderate and is best suited for participants who are comfortable spending several hours on uneven terrain and with inclines and declines.

• Distance: Approximately 4.3 miles
• Elevation gain: 358 feet
• Trainl conditions: A mix of wide and narrow trails, with periods of gentle uphill and downhill hiking
• Terrain: Uneven ground with minor obstacles such as roots, rocks, and encroaching vegetation.

This hike includes parts of the following:

• North Escape Road
• Skyline to Sea Trail
• Hihn Hammond Connector Trail
• Hihn Hammond Road
• Blooms Creek Trail
• The Redwood Loop (optional)

To join this group hike, all participants are asked to complete a short, mandatory liability waiver.

Duration: This hike is 4 hours long

Family Friendly: Families with engaged children who are attentive listeners and capable of hiking five miles are welcome on this outing with minimal elevation change.

Accessibility: This particular hike is not stroller friendly

Address: Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 20580 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA 95006

Connectivity: Please note that Wi-Fi, cell phone service, and electricity are not available in Big Basin

Parking: Parking spaces are limited at Big Basin. Please ensure that you have a place to park by making a reservation here.

Directions: click here for Google maps directions

About Sempervirens Fund:

Sempervirens Fund’s mission is to ensure Coast Redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains thrive for generations to come.

To learn more about us, visit our website.

Info: Gather on the deck of the Visitor Center: Introductions, overview, and get ready for the hike! Note: The temporary visitor center is not the Saddle Mountain Shuttle Area, and is actually a small kiosk just past the parking kiosk.

Info: Take a deep dive into the story of Coastal Redwoods, their role in the forest, their fascinating history and their resistance to and recovery from fire. Enjoy beautiful Spring wildflowers and count the banana slugs!

Info: Explore a canyon environment along the Hihn Hammond Connector Trail and recharge with your own snacks while you enjoy the scenic surroundings on Hihn Hammond Fire Rd.. Learn the cultural history of the interesting structures at our lunch spot, consider the logging of the redwood forests and the role that the Sempervirens Fund plays in the protection, care, and restoration of this beautiful forest.

Info: Hike along Blooms Creek Trail to the beginning of the Redwood Loop Trail. Along this special trail, meet the largest trees in Big Basin, and investigate some of their more unusual features. Identify plant and tree species that are newcomers in the post-fire forest and their role in Big Basin’s recovery.

Info: Reflect on the day’s discoveries, share favorite moments, and say goodbye until our next adventure!

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