"Big Rock Hole") NASA World Wind Satellite 3D Perspective : Directions. But this swimming hole has your back. Fun adventure at least even if I didn't do the loop I was trying to. And it isnt the warmest spot, either, on account of the cliffs and tall trees shielding the sun and the rest of the world, too. Giveaways / There are other hikes nearby in Henry Cowell that are amazing. It could also be deemed the Student Garden of Eden or the Fake Garden of Eden for its popularity and mistaken identity within the UCSC crowd, who confuse it with the other spot. Probably should have done the loop on reverse so I could have enjoyed the swimming hole near the end of the hike. This was my 35th hike using All Trails and this was the first time getting lost using the downloaded map. Aside from the disappointment of not being able to complete the loop and having to go all the way back it was still a great hike. If you believe that spray painting your tag or some other design will impress other visitors, you are wrong. Gorgeous hike. Could not finish the loop because all the river crossing points were flooded. Directions: From Santa Cruz drive 3 miles up Highway 9 and park in the small lot near two metal gates. This is the closest parking to Big Rock Hole. 95% Upvoted. Now it is a lovely town park, a sanctuary with picnic tables, educational signs and a sandy beach. But that's not going to happen. 70. Garden of Eden | Santa Cruz The one thing people love is to have a swimming hole all to themselves. On sunny days, views from the campground allow you to see all the way to Monterey. Santa Cruz County Summits (22) Very adventurous! Wandering amongst stunning redwoods, you will eventually cross over t Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located just a few miles north of the city of Santa Cruz, along Highway 9. At this location you will be looking out at a small "island" formed by a break in the river, and Big Rock Hole is across the river and on the other side of that "island". I ended up running along the train tracks instead. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 11 min to complete. Aside from weird naked people, there are only two minor reasons not to fall head over heels in love with this place. Take a left and go downstream. See Copyrights. Alongside the river is a sandy, sunny beach with shaded forested areas on either side. This means way fewer folks to crowd out your summer fun. Many paths lead down to the river; all are steep and some require bushwhacking. Mar 27, 2015 - The mighty San Lorenzo River, home to several awesome swimming holes. Hidden Beaches In Santa Cruz Locals Keep Secret | SeaSpiration Ox trails is an old railroad line along the highway not as pristine as a real trail. We eventually came to big rock swimming hole but could not find the trail again after crossing even with the downloaded map feature. No whistles or buoys. This swimming hole is popular among all ages and offers beaches perfect for sunbathing and some nice cliffs perfect for jumping into the blue pool below. Directions: From Santa Cruz drive 11.5 miles up Highway 9 through downtown Boulder Creek. Except where otherwise noted, this content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. Absolutely beautiful. California's Beaches Hidden Behind a Rock Arch or Tunnel Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. 4 hr Ticket $22.00. swimming hole | Santa Cruz Hopefully it opens back up soon! Really fun and beautiful. share. Big Rock Hole, Redwood Grove, Ox Trail Path Loop Swimming Holes - Robots Park here and walk down the dirt path just a couple minutes. Definitely will be back. Attractions / Dear god please for own safety just dont it. Be sure to pack out all garabage, and know that campfires are not allowed in this area. CRUZ Swimming Facebook. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Environment | No bridge or other means to cross the river. Must be careful while walking along the train tracks since it's active. really badly marked in all trails!! Sponsored by InboxAlly Land in the Inbox. Aside from the disappointment of not being able to complete the loop and having to go all the way back it was still a great hike. Geologists say these rocks formed deep underground, probably in the roots of an ancient system of volcanoes that resemble the Cascades or Andes. Last mile hard to figure out where trail is at times if you go clockwise. Descend down the steep trail toward the sounds of the brook. Our course will be abiding by all "Social Distancing" protocols including a thorough list of sanitizing practices. Environment | Joanne is a fourth-generation Northern Californian. When coming out to the river from Big rock hole trail, keep right and cross the river to the dry median. Theres nothing quite like swimming in the redwoods. Nightlife / It's remote and if accidents happen (most often because some idiot gets drunk and cracks his head on a rock), it's very expensive to send emergency crews. Ticket on my car too. Trail is similar to Pine Hills Nature and Shades. Im about to make it even harder. You'll have the whole area virtually to yourself and you can swim to your hearts content. Last mile hard to figure out where trail is at times if you go clockwise. Ill sometimes see a tequila bottle or can of Natural Ice chilling in the frigid water, waiting for some fraternity boy to drink itillegal, yes (but so is being buck nekkid). The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. In the 1960s, it offered drug-inspired self-discovery. Historical Weather. Always fun exploring a new trail. View discussions in 1 other community . Enter at the more southern gate and follow it downhill, veering right toward the railroad tracks. There were some large trees over the trail, so some parts were super confusing by the river crossing. Today. Hopefully it opens back up soon! Its the soul of summer, a chance to cavort with crawfish, not concrete. 3 hr Ticket $17.00. http://thetroutfarminn.net/. The cliff at this popular Boulder Creek swimming hole, located off Highway 9, offers some of the countys best cannonball opportunities. Archived. This quiet 10 mile hike features a winding creek and tall redwoods throughout the trail. So worth it though! Be safe, respect the setting, and dont even think about bringing alcohol. Call a couple friends; load up on the sunscreen, and bring a few snacks, then head to these best swimming holes in Northern California. The place is stunningly beautiful, and I hope all who visit will do their best to keep it that way. Of course they are. If you can carry it down there when it's full, you can carry it back to your car empty. Lately, I've had to spend hours cleaning graffiti from rocks and trees. For more information visit http://www.parks.ca.gov. A sea cave frames the rock and creates a picturesque setting. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! There are two deep pools, big rocks, and even a waterfall. My hike went from 4 miles to 14 miles. 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Great trail but except for river crossing which was not correct on the map. 4. I had a tougher time finding good directions for this big boy, so make sure to read the comments for that kind person to share the best way to get there. Trees down and blocking the trail once you pass the river. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Garden of Eden swimming hole: Social media brings problems to Santa Cruz Mountains oasis No glass allowed. Garden of Eden used to be a secret place that only locals knew about, and many wish we could return to the old days when San Lorenzo Valley folks like me had the place to ourselves. by Molly Lautamo Minutes from the heart of downtown Santa Cruz lies a quiet oasis on the San Lorenzo River, away from the crowds of weekend tourists. Would recommend checking those out instead. The trail is being worked on once you get on the railroad track. Skip this more crowded spot and continue along to find your own cool, watery mecca. We eventually came to big rock swimming hole but could not find the trail again after crossing even with the downloaded map feature. Having a tough time choosing where to go? This swimming hole can be hard to find, and many confuse it for its downstream neighbor, Big Rock Hole. Where to Get Wet in Northern New Mexico - SantaFe.com Environment | Big Rock Hole Trail Topo Map in Santa Cruz County, California Works at Southern California Edison Author has 246 answers and 70.8K answer views 4 y At a deep, cool bend in the river, "Big Rock Hole" and is on the Rincon Trail. According to one hiker, After turning down the three miles of potholes and gravel known as Candy Rock Road, you arrive at a roundabout where you park anywhere. Rainbow Pool is one of the best waterfall-fed natural swimming holes in Northern California. Shark Fin Cove is one of the best secret beaches in Santa Cruz because it doesn't get overrun by many people. See if you can spot any schools of tiny fishes. Kudos to the Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District, which manages this splendid site. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. swimmingholes.org: CALIFORNIA SWIMMING HOLES LocalWiki is a grassroots effort to collect, share and open the worlds local knowledge. 5 hr ticket $27.00. Contact. Santa Cruz Cave Gulch East Field House and East Field College Eight The Farm UCSC Arboretum Wilder Ranch State Park. This is a popular spot, and even though it was cool and cloudy during our visit, the parking lot was full. The Bay Area isn't blessed with a bounty of freely accessible, dog-friendly swimming holes. You can and will be ticketed if you are caught trespassing- the fine can be up to $1000 and Santa Cruz judges are happy to apply it. Try to go during the week and setup a hammock. Not worth it. Big Rock Swimming Hole is properly known as the Kenneth H. Ward Swimming Hole and is about a 15-minute drive from Waterbury, right off Route 100B. There will be two river crossingseach involves tiptoeing across river rocks or wading through. Climbing an aerial obstacle course through the redwoods of Mount Hermon is a great way to experience the thrill of climbing and being in the trees. Please visit, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Trail washed out and river is not crossable. Cant cross river as of Feb 23. People who lose the trail need to open their stupid eyes There are no bathrooms, no trash cans. This aptly named swimming hole can be hard to find, and many confuse it for its downstream neighbor, Big Rock Hole. Swimming Holes . Most of trail is on a railroad track. Posted by 4 years ago. They all demand a little exploration to find. Or travel downstream just a hundred yards or so to another special spot, where waters run deep; park by the bridge and climb down to a small concrete dam. The state parks are public and open to all, but please don't come here thinking this is great place to drink beer, smoke weed, and party. Are there any secret swimming holes in Northern California? It's peaceful place for reflection, respect, and reverence. This area was part of a devastating fire that ravaged the reserve and burned houses and very nearly burned all of Bonny Doon. P.S. Trail not a loop. There are natural jacuzzis in this place to hang out awhile, or grab your cutie-pie and sit behind the waterfall. Please visit, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. No bridge crossing, even at Rincon fire road near Frisbee beach. Really fun and beautiful. On summer weekends, the Garden gets very crowded, but if we all respect each other (no publicly heard music, no smoking of anything, no fires-duh!) Trail not a loop. Many options on the hike to avoid water if you go off the directions of this hike. Was difficult to cross the creek. This refreshing pool is created from a smooth bowl of granite. In more recent years, environmentalists have cherished its quiet refuge. Hole-in-the-Wall Beach in Santa Cruz, CA - California Beaches Contact Us. Was difficult to cross the creek. In the 1920s, the river served as a dramatic setting for silent films. Big Rock Hole | Santa Cruz - hilltromper.com For more information visit http://www.scparks.com. Ticket on my car too. You'll find this heavenly spot on the South Fork of the Eel River in the Standish-Hickey State Recreational Area. The river follows the route of the Ben Lomond fault, a fracture in the Earth that now captures water from the flanks of Ben Lomond mountain. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. No chlorine. Dear god please for own safety just dont it. From Santa Cruz take Graham Hill Road to Felton and turn right on East Zayante Road. This was my 35th hike using All Trails and this was the first time getting lost using the downloaded map. Beautiful hike! Lots of teenagers and young adults consider this Candy Rock swimming hole a favorite with 12-foot cliff jumps to practice on before heading to the big boy, Candy Rock! She knows good sour dough bread when she tastes it and understands the best parts of the Golden State are nowhere near Los Angeles. If so, we ask that you post a quick review of it below. Its a very steep walk down a dirt path to Santa Cruzs most famous swimming hole, but the descent pays off when swimmers reach the rocky beach deep in the towering forest of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Silicon Valley environs between Felton & Santa Cruz, about 45" from Los Altos/San Jose . Leave the cooler, boombox and pets at home. Ive played every course in the Monterey Bay, including Pebble. Recommend clock wise, makes Big Rock Hole a reward. A little difficult to follow.. notice how I got lost lol. Please explore responsibly! These are some of the best swimming holes in Northern California. That includes constant stops for photos. Head out on this 4.5-mile loop trail near Santa Cruz, California. Ideal Golfing Weather with Affordable Rates, Exclusive Tournament Packages Its easy to find: After entering Boulder Creek, turn at the fire station. From this point on expect to see a lot of nude people.
