Peters Creek Loop

Overview: Delayed gratification is the story of this hike at Portola Redwoods State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains west of Silicon Valley.

The first six miles are nice enough -- lots of ups and downs in second-growth redwoods -- but the real payoff is at the midpoint: Peters Creek Loop tracks through one of the last remaining stands of old-growth redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

The Peters Creek Loop is simply amazing -- the area was so remote that it was not profitable for loggers to cut the old redwoods, so dozens of ancients trees tower skyward all along the path. With its primeval feel, you wouldn't be surprised to see a brontosaurus rumbling through.

Mind you it is a very long walk back, but it's worth the effort.

Trails on this hike: Old Tree Trail > Slate Creek Trail > Bear Creek Trail > Peters Creek Trail.

This is a great hike all year long. If you go in the winter, make sure you'll have enough daylight to cover all the miles.

Tips: Call the park to make sure it's open before you go.

Portola Redwoods is also accessible via the Pomponio Trail and Camp Pomponio Road Trailhead at Pescadero Creek County Park, and the Ward Road Trail from Long Ridge Open Space Preserve.

Park contact: 650-948-9098

Hours: Call the park

Parking: $10 per vehicle

Driving directions: From Highway 35, turn west onto Alpine Road, go 3 miles and turn onto Portola State Park Road. On Highway 35, Alpine is just over 19 miles south of Highway 92, seven miles south of Highway 84 and just over 6 miles north of Highway 9. Page Mill Road from Palo Alto goes directly to Alpine.