A Walk in the Forest
Dec 29, 2009
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Last week I was in Aptos, California, visiting my parents for Christmas. They have lived in Aptos (just east of Santa Cruz) for over 12 years, yet until last Saturday, I was completely clueless about a treasure two miles from their home: The Forest of Nisene Marks, a California State Park.For forty years, this area was subjected to clear-cutting until loggers abandoned it in the 1920s. In 1963, the family owning the property donated it to the state of California, and now, the 10,000 acres offer over 40 miles of hiking. Whether you only have 30 minutes or an entire day, hiking through this park is a wonderful way to explore the redwoods and native plants of Santa Cruz County. Although some evidence of logging remains with the occasional mill site or felled tree, you would not guess that the area had at one point been nearly razed.
We happened to walk through here on an overcast morning. The redwoods are stunning, and the stumps of trees that had been felled display beautiful patterns of moss, lichen, and mounds of ferns. The park is definitely family-friendly: an access road makes for safe walking for adventurers of any age, while well-kept trails can be a challenge for the more experienced hiker.
Accessing the park is easy. Drive to downtown Aptos (a charming secret itself) on Soquel Drive, and at the corner of Soquel and Aptos Creek Drive, you'll see cars parked by the entrance of Aptos Village County Park. You can park here for free and start your hike, or, if you want to save time, you can drive about a mile, pay $8 at the State Park entrance, and start your excursion there. Facilities at the park are minimal, so bring your own water and supplies if your hike will last several hours. At the end of your hike, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes along Soquel Drive where you can refuel before you hit the beach. For an idea of what a hike offers, please view the video I pieced together.
For more information about Nisene Marks, click here. Enjoy this special corner of the Monterey Bay!
