Castle Rock

Location

Castle Rock Park is located along Skyline Blvd's Western ridge and beyond, 2.5 miles Southeast of the intersection between Skyline Blvd (Hwy 35) and Highway 9. Parking can be purchased in a small lot, or there is free parking along Skyline Blvd. A small lot for Summit Rock occurs on the East side of Skyline Blvd just North of Castle Rock, which is a reasonable walking distance up the road. The free parking fills on weekends! Trailheads all begin in the parking lot at the South or Northwest sides.

Attractions:

This is a popular rock climbing and bouldering area. Rocks are dirty (much moss, lichen, and sand from use) but the area is well mapped and there are always an abundance of other climbers for getting from good pointers on routes. Bring your chalk bag, sticky shoes, and a crash pad or gear.
Goat rock is a very popular destination for climbers or those appreciating the sight and feel of a Swiss-cheese like rock.
Castle Rock, Billy Goat Rock, and several other rocks and boulders are also popular for climbing and bouldering.
There is a waterfall at the park.
There is camping at Castle Rock that must be hiked into (see the route description below) and is usually booked on a first-come basis for a fee.
Much of the paths have shade.
See HUGE anthills all over - just don't disturb the ants!
Summit Rock just Northeast of Castle Rock Park is a very popular location for hiking or viewing the Silicon Valley from above. Trails begin just across Skyline Blvd (this is Sanborn-Skyline County Park) - see route below.
Beautiful vistas of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Tons of wildflowers in Spring, especially as you reach the sunnier Western side of the ridge near Billy Goat Rock.
See plenty of butterflies along the creek bed.
Lizards aplenty!
There are pit toilets at the parking lot and by Castle Rock.
Saratoga Gap Trail runs through the park and continues for about 32 miles to the Coast. Backpacker campgrounds occur along the way for people who want to make a long trip out of it!

Limitations:

As there is a creekbed through much of the park, there can be a fair number of mosquitoes. Pack repellant just in case.
Beware of ticks and poison oak.
There are a lot of ants in this park. Stay on trails to avoid tromping through an ant hill (they are huge but rather inconspicuous) and being bitten.
Watch out for rattlesnakes sunning themselves where the trails are not shaded.
Take care if you decide to climb rocks here. Always take precautionary measures, regardless of how a climb is rated or how close to the ground you climb. Rocks are often dirty and can be slick.
Trails near rocks are easily lost, as there is a lot of traffic for rock recreation here. Carry a map with you so you don't lose your bearings.
Trails to Billy Goat Rock and Goat Rock have some steep, high "rock stairs," which may be difficult to navigate. Walking sticks are recommended if you choose to hike this far.
Dogs not allowed.
Bikes not allowed.

Season:

Year round, 6 am to sunset.

Fees:

None unless you choose to pay for parking or camping.

Maps & More Information:

There are maps posted at signboards and the ranger's kiosk in the paid parking lot.
Maps may be purchased from the ranger at the ranger kiosk.
Eric Goetze's Gorgeous Panoramas are linked to a topographic map (click on purple diamonds for panoramas): http://www.virtualparks.org/parks/castle-rock-qtvr-map.html
Virtual Parks Trail Map: http://www.virtualparks.org/maps/files/castle-rock-sp-v240.pdf
Santa Cruz State Parks Website for Castle Rock: http://santacruzstateparks.org/parks/castlerock/index.php
California State Parks Website for Castle Rock: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=538
Castle Rock Park Flier and Map: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/538/files/CastleRockCGmap.pdf

Handicapped Access:

This is not a handicapped accessible area - trails are often too steep, narrow, and contain bumps and ruts. The trail to the campground from the parking lot is the most moderate (see below), but even it is narrow, rutted, and has tight turns in places.

Recommended routes:

South Trailhead to Castle Rock:
In the paid parking lot, turn left to the Southern edge of the lot to find the trailhead. The trail climbs gradually through shaded groves for 0.2 miles until meeting a wide fire road. Turn right to follow the fire road that rises only slightly, as it passes bouldering areas, a pit toilet, and ends in about 0.1 mile at Castle Rock, the tallest rock of the group that stretches downhill a little. Enjoy watching some climbing or bouldering, have a picnic in one of the nice, flat areas barren of vegetation, or play a little on the rocks (use caution!). Trails continue from here in several directions. Return the way you came to avoid the many ruts or steep sections of the trail beyond here, then try another route, below. Total distance is about 0.6 miles.

Northwest Trailhead to Saratoga Gap and Ridge Trails (near Waterfall):
Note: Be prepared to navigate the jogger through some short rocky sections. If you aren't practiced at maneuvering your stroller, leave it at home and use a baby carrier or backpack instead.

In the paid parking lot, travel down the trail that begins at the Northwest edge - it has a placard and sign near it, and it wider and appears flatter than the South Trailhead. The path begins smooth and relatively wide, running towards and sometimes alongside King Creek. In about 0.2 miles, the trail meets Castle Rock Trail (a short but somewhat steep trail up to Castle Rock, which you may have just left, if you did the aforementioned hike). Veer right to continue on the wide, smooth trail you were on. You will cross the creek in about 0.5 miles. At this point, the trail splits - turn left to follow Saratoga Gap Trail, and turn right to follow Ridge Trail. You can continue for a short distance on either of these with a baby jogger; the trail eventually gets too narrow, steep, and contains hazards like boulders, roots, or ruts. If you are using a baby carrier or backpack, use your walking sticks or get help from a buddy past these obstacles, but use caution.

Here are some options for continuing further:
- Return now, the way you came. Total distance is about 1.4 miles.
- Castle Rock Falls is 0.3 miles away (turn left at the fork to follow Saratoga Gap Trail) and has a nice viewing platform from which you can see the falls. (Note: Hold onto baby here - the platform is not safe for roaming babies!) Return the way you came. Total distance is 2 miles.
- Small Saratoga Gap & Ridge Trail Loop: THIS LOOP IS NOT SUITABLE FOR A STROLLER! Turn left at the fork to follow Saratoga Gap Trail to and past the waterfall. 1 mile past the waterfall, a short trail to the right connects to Ridge Trail. Follow it for about 0.2 miles, then turn right to follow Ridge Trail toward the Interpretive Shelter. In about 0.3 miles, you have an option to turn right to visit Goat Rock. You can do this or continue straight for 0.1 mile to see the Interpretive Shelter (with displays about flora and fauna) then turn right to continue along Ridge Trail to see Goat Rock. There are stairs down to the rock and the trail gets steep, narrow, and has some ruts, roots, and boulders in it, so use caution. Continuing past Goat Rock, you will pass by Billy Goat Rock then back to the stream, with the finally wide, moderate trail (a nice break after some really steep, technical trail). Follow Ridge Trail as it merges with Saratoga Gap Trail and returns to the parking lot. Total distance is 4 miles.
- Large Saratoga Gap and Ridge Trail Loop to Campground: THIS LOOP IS NOT SUITABLE FOR A STROLLER! Turn left at the fork to follow Saratoga Gap Trail, which takes you past the waterfall. Follow it to Russell Point (great views) and finally to the campground, where you will begin to turn back (this is at about 2.6 miles). Ridge Trail also leads into the camping area, so turn right on this trail and follow it back to the parking lot. As mentioned above, there are two possible routes to Goat Rock - I recommend the latter one after the Interpretive Shelter. Ridge trail merges with Saratoga Gap Trail and leads to the parking lot, as described above. Total distance is 6 miles.

Summit Rock:
From the paid parking lot, cross Skyline Blvd to enter Sanborn-Skyline County Park (there are three entrances within about 0.2 miles of eachother, so you can begin just South of the parking lot or North of it, as well). Each of the paths from Skyline into the park is short and end at the wide Skyline Trail. Turn left and follow this trail as it runs parallel to Skyline Blvd and further into the park. Turn right after about 0.9 miles to follow the wider Road Trail to Summit Rock. Check out the views atop the rock but use caution - it can be slick with moss when it's wet or debris from traffic. The grounds around the rock are flat and barren, good for a picnic. Return the way you came or for a slightly steeper and narrower route, hike Southeast along Summit Rock Loop, then right to travel via a narrower footpath to Skyline Trail. When you reach Skyline Trail, go straight or turn left to return to the short footpath that leads you to Skyline Blvd. Total distance is about 2.4 miles.

From Hwy 9 to Campground:
There is a parking area and trailhead off of Highway 9 just West of the intersection of Hwy 9 and Skyline Blvd (Hwy 35). Saratoga Trail leads Southwest along a wide fire road that spans 2.8 miles (one way) to Castle Rock Trail Camp. We have not attempted this route yet, so cannot endorse it for strollers. Please contact us to share your opinions on this trail!