Soquel Demonstration Forest

Location

Soquel Demonstration Forest is located deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 10 miles South of Highway 9. To get there, take the Summit Road Exit from Hwy 9, then drive South. Follow Summit Road until it becomes Highland Way, after about 4 miles. Continue along Highland Way, veering right then left in about 1 mile. In about 4.5 miles, a wide, dirt parking area marks the park.

When we last visited in late May 2007, about 1 mile before the entrance to the park, the road was marked closed, due to a landslide below the road. Repair was in progress and many locals drove across the damaged section, despite the signs. If you would like to park at the road closure sign and hike in, this is reasonable, as there is a parking area on the side of the road and the road does not get a lot of traffic beyond bicyclists and courteous locals.

Attractions:

This forest is revolutionary as a demonstration forest. Several experimental land use techniques are employed here, including logging practices and installation of a few technical mountain bike trails.
This forest is home to the famous Braille Trail, a steep downhill stretch that includes see-saws, jumps, and plenty of other technical fun. For experienced riders only! (When I tried this, I made it down a fraction of the distance, crashing a couple of times, before walking / sliding down the rest of the way. Riders assemble at the top for some elongated socialization (many getting some new courage). A helipad is up here, that gets a little use, when riders push their limits too far.)
Despite logging in the area, the forest is quiet and relatively pristine.
This forest is always cool and shady - a great place for summertime visits.
With a creek running at the entrance, there is a lot of bug life here. See ladybugs and butterflies amass in the summer, or find spiders spinning webs near the stream.
Wildlife includes banana slugs, birds, and squirrels.
There are plenty of plants here, including ferns, mosses, horsetail, sorrel, and wildflowers, beneath a canopy of douglas fir and redwood trees.
Find a shady spot with some smattering of sun and observe how sorrel behaves in response to the light changes. Sorrel in the shade will collapse its leaves like a closing umbrella, and Sorrel in the sun will have them fully open. (Sorrel looks like large clover.)
The fire roads are is wide and well maintained (they are still used for logging).
Dogs allowed on leash.

Limitations:

Mountain biking is HUGE here, so hikers on weekends or during the summer should be wary of traffic. I've noticed that a lot of bikers linger at the top edge of the park, though, so aren't seen by hikers along the lower fire road.
Mosquitos can be plentiful in the Spring.
Beware of poison oak and ticks in this area.
Highland Way leading to the park entrance is undergoing road construction (see Location above).

Season:

Year round from dusk to dawn.

Fees:

none

Maps & More Information:

If you hike over the bridge and turn right to follow the fire road past a second parking area (often closed), a small sign / kiosk posts a map and often has paper maps to take with you.
Stewards of Soquel Forest Website: http://www.soquelforest.org/index.shtml
Soquel Demonstration Forest Map: http://www.soquelforest.org/images/basemap_large.jpg
State Website for the Forest: http://www.fire.ca.gov/rsrc-mgt_soquel.php
Map of Park Location: http://www.fire.ca.gov/rsrc-mgt_content/downloads/sdsf_locator.jpg

Handicapped Access:

The entrance to the park and main trail are all along fire roads that are well maintained, so if the occasional debris and a some coarse gravel on the road can be managed, this area is handicapped accessible along the lower fire road. The narrower bike paths that go uphill are not accessible.

Recommended routes:

Hihn's Mill Road:
From the parking area along the Highland Way, cross the bridge to enter the park (or drive across the bridge to park, when this second parking area is open). Turn right and walk past the second parking area, passing a small kiosk / sign and walking through a gate. The fire road here is wide and well maintained, but don't be alarmed at weather-caused mud or debris on the road. The road passes through shady woods with occasional signs indicating that property is owned by logging companies and logging activity may occur down the road. Turn back and return the way you came, or try one of the routes listed below to extend your trip before turning back. Without any of the following extensions, total distance is up to 12.2 miles.
- Amaya Creek Road:
  Just before the end of Hihn's Mill Road (the area becomes closed to the public), turn right and follow this relatively flat trail above and parallel to Amaya Creek. The road ends at a gate; turn back the way you came. Adds a distance of up to 4 miles.
- Longridge Road:
  About 4.7 miles down Hihn's Mill Road, just shortly after a sign and picnic table, turn right to follow Longridge Road and cross the East Branch of Soquel Creek. Travel uphill until a gate, where it ends. Return the way you came. Adds a distance of about 3 miles.
- Sulphur Springs Road:
  2.3 miles down Hihn's Mill Road, turn left near a picnic table to ascend Spulphur Springs Road. In 0.4 miles, veer right to stay on the trail, continuing to climb uphill to Ridge Trail, where there will likely be much Mountain Bike Activity. The road ends at the Helipad. If you are using a baby jogger or want to avoid traffic, return the way you came. If not, consider a loop with Corral Road (below). Without loop, added distance is 3 miles.
- Sulphur Springs to Corral Road:
  2.3 miles down Hihn's Mill Road, turn left near a picnic table to ascend Spulphur Springs Road. In 0.4 miles, turn left to follow Corral Road. If you are using a baby jogger or want to avoid traffic, turn back when the road narrows, in about 1.7 miles. If not, consider a the loop below. Added distance without the loop is 4.2 miles.
- Sulphur Springs Road to Ridge Trail to Corral Road Loop:
  For baby backpacks and carriers only!Follow Sulphur Springs Road as described above. At the Helipad, turn left onto Ridge Trail, then turn left in 0.9 miles along a narrow trail that leads to Corral Road. Follow Corral Road until ir meets Sulphur Springs Road, taking the right-most trail to lead you back to Hihn's Mill Road, where you can return as you came. Adds a distance of about 5 miles.