Saturday, November 13, 2010

Hiking in Memorial Park (Off CA 84)

I decided to go hiking in one of the parks off CA-84 (La Honda). It's a longer drive from I-280 and goes closer to the coast. Driving on LA Honda is also quite fun if the weather is good. I had hiked in the same area a few years ago.

I went to Memorial Park, paid the $5 registration fee and went wandering around the empty camp grounds. I could not find a map anywhere (unlike the other parks) so I just went down to the creek from Tan oak camp grounds and walked along the creek, against the flow. After about a 1/4 mile, you reach a bridge which is actually part of Pescadero Creek Road. There are many camp grounds here. I crossed the bridge and wandered around in the Wurr campgrounds. Still no sign of a trail.

So, I came back to the road and then saw the entrance to Pescadero Creek County Park - Hoffman Creek Trailhead. I went in and kept going. There's a map here but Pomponio trail appears to be in both parks. It's confusing.



After about 10-15 minutes, there's a a junction where Old Haul Road (the one you will on) makes a left. I turned left and kept walking. Then you see a sign that says Pomponio Trail. Make a left here, cross the creek. There is no bridge. If it has rained, I don't know if it's safe to cross the 10 ft span of ankle deep water. There are rocks to step on to help cross the creek.

Pomponio trail looks like an out-and-back trail. There is no loop. I went in for a while and then headed back the same way.

Overall, it's a nice place. No crowd. I was worried that I did not see any fellow hikers until I saw just 1 couple on their way back. Camping here would also be a fun - very convenient too considering how close it is to 280.



Until next time!

0 comments: