Guides
The Forest of Nisene Marks SP boasts an old Lumber Railroad Grade.
An introductory walk into the lower reaches of Nisene Marks. This trail is highly popular with the locals for an afternoon break. It's a good one for walks, jogging, and much of it is accessible to bikes. The trail also provide access to the trail heading deeper into this 10,000 acre state park. Dogs are OK on the fire road. Much of this particular...
Trips
The Forest of Nisene Marks is a coastal park out of Aptos, ca. that is a California State Park. Located on Aptos Creek road, this park is popular with joggers and cyclists (as well as hikers). We started our hike from the Mary Easton picnic parking area. This parking area is about a mile and a half from the park entrance, down a graded dirt road. There is parking for about 6...
Park in the lower lot as you enter the property, you'll see the temple in the first picture and from there it's pretty easy to figure out where to park. I'm remiss in not recording what should be done at each "station" but there are informational signs to guide you along the way and you quickly realize why buddhists are so mellow and kind as it's a very relaxing area. If I...
West Ridge - The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Monte Toyon, California, United States
Hiking | 8.7 miles
Hiking | 8.7 miles
A quick hike in a famous State Park that I have never (!) visited before.I climbed up the West Ridge Trail, whose grade was very gentle and pleasant. Unfortunately, there was no views since you stay in the redwoods pretty much all the time. The good thing is that there was very little mud on this trail.I then went down using Ridge Connection Trail and this was a different story. While I...
INCH #744: Five Finger Falls (Forest of Nisene Marks State Park)
Monte Toyon, California, United States
Hiking | 15.6 miles
Hiking | 15.6 miles
For hike details follow this *link*.
Nisene Marks Ridge Trail / Loma Prieta Grade Loop
Aptos, California, United States
Hiking | 8.9 miles
Hiking | 8.9 miles
Thought we were going on a 4-ish mile hike (Loma Prieta Grade Loop), but took the wrong trail head. Ended up on this 8.9 mile hike. Wow! Glad we brought food and water. Way late getting home.
Five Finger Falls in/out The Forest of Nisene Marks
Aptos, California, United States
Hiking | 14.0 miles
Hiking | 14.0 miles
This is one of my top 3 hiking parks in the entire Bay Area. Nisene Marks offers thick second-growth redwood, creeks with awesome riparian zones, and geological wonders. The park is dark and can be damp and cool. The amount of vegetation is remarkable. We parked at Mary Easton Picnic Area because the winter gate was closed. This added 2 miles to an already lengthy trip but at least it was level. It...
I had originally intended to go out to Five Finger Falls, but the trail was closed. So, decided to head to Maple Falls instead. On the way, I ran across a mountain lion print. A section of the trail, neat to Maple Falls, had eroded and so I couldn't get to this fall, either.
2-2-13 The Forest Nisene Marks state Park
Monte Toyon, California, United States
Hiking | 12.2 miles
Hiking | 12.2 miles
Very tough loop through Nisene Marks due to all the debris from a windstorm. Branches and debris littered all over the trail made for very slow going.
