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Rocky Ridge Trail
A rustic, broken-down barn and large grove of
old cypress signal the stop for the trailheads of
Garrapata's inland trails. The northernmost one is
the Rocky Ridge Trail, on which energetic hikers
have options, including a 6 mile out-and-back
outing, or a 4.6 mile loop which returns via
Soberanes Canyon Trail. Hikers choosing to begin
the loop via the Rocky Ridge Trail can start along
the trail behind the barn, crossing willow-lined
Soberanes Creek, then going a short ways to the
Soberanes Canyon Trail junction (which turns
right). At that point the Rocky Ridge Trail is to
the left, heading north.
Those Rocky Ridge hikers choosing to hike in 3
miles will walk by coastal scrub up steep trails
with spectacular vistas, at first of the shoreline
and coastal Santa Lucias. In spring the grasses
host lovely wildflowers. Rugged, lichen-coverered
boulders and rock outcroppings stand out among the
grasses. One overlook has a welcome bench to rest
upon. When reaching about 1,600 feet in elevation,
views of the whole Monterey Bay and coastline are
possible on clear days.
Those hiking on to Doud Peak at the end of the
trail may even view central coast peaks to the
east.
It is debatable whether or not hiking up the
Rocky Ridge Trail is the best direction to start,
since hiking out on the loop via the Rocky Ridge
Trail would give hikers a constant view of the
coast while descending.
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Soberanes Canyon Trail
Approaching the Soberanes Canyon Trail from the
Rocky Ridge Trail brings the hiker's perspective
from a broad, almost 360-degree view of the
northern coastal Santa Lucia range, with hillsides
folding and rolling toward the sea, to a narrower
perspective as one drops into the watershed of a
redwood-filled canyon. The steep trail quickly
descends an elevation of 1,200 feet from the Rocky
Ridge Trail to the canyon of majestic Sequoia
sempervirens. Along the way, admiring wildflowers
that may be blooming or, once in the canyon, the
variety of ferns, make for pleasant hiking breaks.
The cool, bubbling creek under the redwoods, passes
by large boulders, some of which may reveal to
observant visitors, the grinding areas of
indigenous people.
Hikers can expect a variety of creek crossings
in following the trail among the coast redwoods,
tanoak, California bay, madrone, buckeye, willows,
berry bushes, and other native and non-native
plants as the hikers trek toward the coast.
Particularly noteworthy non-natives are the dense
hillsides of prickly pear cactus. The cacti have
taken on a life of their own starting from the days
early settlers introduced them into this area.
Hiking the last part of the 3-mile long Soberanes
Canyon Trail has some other botanical surprises in
the form of calla lilies that seemed to have spread
from the historic old farm area which was once part
of a Mexican land grant, and later part of property
owned under names such as Post, Soberanes, and
Doud. After pondering the building remains, fences,
and indications of inhabitants of yesteryear, yet
another marine trail and experiences await hikers
across Highway One.
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