101 Hikes in Northern California. Matt Heid
Maps Butano State Park Map by California State Parks, USGS 7.5-min. Franklin Point
Best Times Year-round
Agency Butano State Park
Difficulty
LITTLE BUTANO CREEK slices westward in a narrow defile almost completely protected within Butano (BOO-tah-no) State Park. Less than 4 miles long yet brimming with ecological diversity, the canyon contains an isolated and diverse world representative of the entire region. Extensive stands of redwoods thrive in the park’s lush environment, including 315 acres of old-growth trees.
The Hike travels on seven different trails to complete a clockwise loop around the canyon. The trip can be completed year-round, with spring and fall offering the ideal combination of good weather and light crowds. Summer is foggy and people heavy, while winter and early spring are typically rainy, cool, and perpetually damp.
To Reach the Trailhead Take Hwy. 1 south of Half Moon Bay for 16 miles to Pescadero Rd. and turn left. In 2.5 miles, turn right on Cloverdale Rd. and proceed 4 miles to the park entrance on the left. Approaching from the south, take Hwy. 1 north of Davenport for 14 miles and turn right on Gazos Creek Rd., immediately north of the Beach House gas station. Follow Gazos Creek Rd. for 2 miles, turn left on Cloverdale Rd., and proceed 1 mile to the park entrance on the right. The posted trailhead is a half mile past the entrance station by a large turnout.
Description From the trailhead (0.0/230'), follow Mill Ox Trail across Little Butano Creek and quickly climb northeast to reach Jackson Flat Trail (0.2/430'). Redwoods, Douglas-firs, tanoaks, and huckleberry bushes surround you along this early section, joined intermittently by bigleaf maples, twisting madrones, sword and wood ferns, and the soft leaves of hazel bushes. Turn right on Jackson Flat Trail and begin a gradual rising traverse along the moisture divide between a damp redwood forest (a few large old-growth trees can be spotted) and drier mixed-evergreen forest.
Bear right on Canyon Trail (1.7/800') as Jackson Flat Trail curves left. You initially continue through thick redwood forest, but the woods soon transition to canyon live oak and madrone, then abruptly transform into an entirely different ecosystem. As the trail crosses the threshold of the Santa Margarita geologic formation—a sandstone layer poor in water and organic material—it encounters species uniquely adapted to these harsh conditions. Knobcone pines, spindly conifers that sprout their namesake cones everywhere, including from their branches and trunks, proliferate. Knobcones survive through serotiny—their cones open only from the heat of wildfires. This strategy populates the newly charred, nutrient-rich soil with a sudden, massive influx of seeds. Other members of the drier chaparral community grow alongside: manzanita, golden chinquapin (look under the leaves), toyon, scrub oak, and chamise.
The trail winds through this open community, passing views that reveal the depth of this diminutive canyon. The route momentarily banks left into a small tributary canyon and descends to cross a seasonally rushing creek (note the bigleaf maples and change of ecosystem as moisture again increases). Several switchbacks then return you upward to the Santa Margarita Formation and its accompanying views and flora. The path contours around several small drainages, returns to thick forest, and reaches the posted junction for the park’s trail camp (3.7/1,200'). (To reach the trail camp, bear left and head steeply uphill along the narrow trail for 0.5 mile to an unnamed fire road. The campsites are just uphill to your left.)
Remain on Canyon Trail as it continues briefly up the valley, crosses the headwaters of Little Butano Creek, and then curves right to start the return journey. Turn right upon reaching Olmo Fire Rd. (4.2/1,240') and follow the wide trail as it winds for 0.4 mile through private property owned by Ainsley Family Tree Farm. Please stay on the road in this section and enjoy glimpses south into the adjacent Gazos Creek drainage, the only views of the hike beyond Little Butano Creek.
You slowly descend to reach singletrack Doe Ridge Trail on the right (4.5/1,050'), which you follow to one of the hike’s most idyllic stretches—old-growth redwoods stand tall above the level and nicely contoured path. You next turn left on Goat Hill Trail (6.0/840'), which proceeds through thick Douglas-fir forest recovering from recent logging. You pass a spur trail on the left (6.5/900') leading to adjacent Olmo Fire Rd., and then another spur quickly thereafter. Goat Hill Trail continues downhill from here toward the campground and offers a more direct and less strenuous return route—just follow the park road from the campground to the trailhead.
To avoid the pavement, return to Olmo Fire Rd., turn right, and then bear left on Año Nuevo Trail (7.0/1,060'). The singletrack path contours briefly along a forested ridge, then banks right and heads down-canyon via a series of switchbacks. The foliage becomes thick with elderberry and blackberry, interspersed with airy views of the lower canyon. Upon reaching the bottom (8.3/220'), bear right on Six Bridges Trail and proceed along the banks of Little Butano Creek to return to the trailhead (8.8/230').
Nearest Visitor Center The park entrance station is staffed daily in summer and most weekends in the off-season. It’s open sporadically the rest of the year. Call 650-879-2040 for general information.
Backpacking Information Backcountry camping is permitted only at the park’s designated trail camp ($10), which features 8 primitive sites at the ridgeline headwaters of Little Butano Creek. No water is available at the camp, though there are nearby stream sources. Campfires are not permitted. Open seasonally, the trail camp is first come, first served. Register at the park entrance station upon arrival.
Nearest Campground Butano State Park Campground (38 sites, $35) is near the trailhead and open April–November. Reservations are recommended; visit reserveamerica.com or call 800-444-7275.
Additional Information www.parks.ca.gov
HIKE 19 Castle Rock
Highlights Wild rocks and airy views atop the Santa Cruz Mountains
Distance 5.2 miles
Total Elevation Gain/Loss 1,200'/1,200'
Hiking Time 3–4 hours
Recommended Maps Castle Rock State Park Map, USGS 7.5-min. Castle Rock Ridge
Best Times Year-round
Agency Castle Rock State Park
Difficulty