Forest of Nisene Marks State Park Campground, Aptos CA

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About Forest of Nisene Marks State Park Campground...

The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is located outside of Aptos in the Santa Cruz area. The entire park is essentially covered in a redwood forest canopy and the canyons of Aptos Creek and Bridge Creek are exceptionally lush with sorrel, ferns, and moss in abundance. The area has a long history of human extraction and destruction. At the turn of the century loggers ravaged these canyons and pulled out 24 million square feet of lumber. All logging operations ended in the early 1920′s and thankfully, nature has reclaimed these canyons. Many of the redwoods are now over 100 years old and the maturing forest is becoming very pleasant. Moreover, little evidence of the mill sites and logging infrastructure remains. For instance, what once was the Porter House, is now brush and young redwoods. Occasionally, I spotted an old cable track or rusting piece of metal.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The Forest of Nisene Marks, only 5 miles northeast of Santa Cruz, is wild and expansive. The property was clearcut in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. But it’s recovering nicely — and offers hikers and mountain bikers a chance to explore 30 miles of trails that rise from near sea level to 2,600 feet. The park’s name honors Nisene Marks, the nature-loving mother of the Salinas farm family that bought the land in the 1950s. Her children donated 9,700 acres to the state in 1963 with the provision that it never be developed. Save the Redwoods League helped add an additional 357 acres, including two key inholdings acquired in 2007 and 2010.

ACTIVITIES:

Running, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, camping, backpacking.

VISITOR CENTER:

No visitor center. Call the park at (831) 763-7062 for recorded information.

CAMPGROUNDS:

It takes stamina to reach the park’s six primitive campsites, which are 6 miles from the trailhead. The campsite is closed in the winter and has no drinking water. To reserve a site, call (831) 763-7063.

TRAILS:

The Forest of Nisene Marks made national headlines as the epicenter of the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. As of this writing (in 2010), mudslides have closed the popular 1.5-mile trail to the epicenter. Instead, try the Loma Prieta Grade Trail, a pleasant 6-mile round-trip with a 400-foot elevation gain. Back in days of the logging boom, an old steam train ran along this gentle uphill route. Closer to the entrance at the south end of the park, the Old Growth Loop showcases a small grove that survived the logging boom. If you come during the rainy season, you may want to try one of the long, but rewarding hikes to Nisene Marks’ beautiful falls.

MUST-SEE UNIQUE FEATURE OR SEASONAL HIGHLIGHT:

Sand Point offers “one of the best views in Santa Cruz County,” says Park Ranger Gabriel McKenna. It’s a 9-mile hike or bike up the Aptos Creek Fire Road. Along the way, look for banana slugs (the mascots of the University of California, Santa Cruz), acorn woodpeckers, black-tailed deer and other wildlife.

HIDDEN GEMS:

Few people see them, but silver salmon and steelhead spawn in Aptos Creek after the first big rains in the fall.