Castle Rock/Summit Rock Loop (Sunday 9/9/01)


Schedule for this hike:

Trail Information

Location:  Off Rt 35 (Skyline Blvd), about 2 miles south of Rt 9/Rt35 intersection.  About 10 miles from downtown Saratoga.
Distance: ~7 miles (not very strenuous at all)
Elevation change: +/- 600 ft, starting elevation is about 2500 ft.
Time: ~3 to 4 hrs, depending on breaks taken.
Difficulty:  Moderate
Trail conditions: Excellent combination of shade and sun.  ~1/2 sun, 1/2 shade.  Trails range from single man-width to car-width.  No wind to speak of.
What to see: Excellent views of Silicon Valley on one side (Summit Rock) and Santa Cruz mountains and the Pacific ocean on the other side (Castle Rock trails).

Park information: http://www.bahiker.com/castlerock.html
Trail map: http://virtualparks.com/parks/castle-rock-qtvr-map.html



Map/directions
 
Bijan Bakery

The Bijan bakery is in the Saratoga Square plaza (Lions Supermarket).  It is just off 280, a few miles south of 85 and a few miles north of 17.  This is our main meeting place where carpool will be arranged. Unless indicated otherwise, please meet here.

1. From 280 North or South, get off on Saratoga Ave, towards North (from 280 North, it would be right turn, from 280 South, it would be left turn). 
2. Make a left on Kiely Blvd, it is about 1/4 mile from 280.
3.  Make a left into the plaza driveway.  You'll see a store with the sign "Bakery" closest to Kiely Rd.  Burger King is across the parking lot in the same plaze.
4.  We'll meet in front of the bakery, by some outdoor cafe tables.
 

Use this link to get directions from your starting point: Directions

Summit Rock parking

1. Take DeAnza or Saratoga Ave towards downtown Saratoga.
2. Turn onto Rt 9 towards Big Basin once you get to downtown Saratoga. You will pass through downtown Saratoga.
3.  Go on Rt 9 (all uphill, avg 35 mph) until you hit Rt35, otherwise known as Skyline Blvd. 
4. Turn left on Skyline for about 2 miles.  The Summit rock parking is on your left.  If you pass this, you'll see the Castle Rock entrance a few more miles down, on your right.  Turn back to find Summit Rock parking.  There is space for maybe 10 cars. 

If you are meeting us here, please wait by the trailhead. 

Click on the map on the right to zoom in/out of the area.

Trail Map
We will follow the blue-arrows, starting at the Summit Rock parking lot.  After resting at Summit Rock, we'll proceed to Castle Rock, then follow the Saratoga Gap Trail until we hit the Castle Rock Trail Camp.  There are picnic tables here and we can take a rest.  Afterwards, we'll take the Longhry Woods Trail until we hit Rt35/Skyline.  Then we'll cross Skyline and end at the Summit Rock parking.



Notes about this hike

General notes about hiking trips

Probable next hike

Marin - Pt. Reyes.



Pictures from previous Castle Rock hikes