Castle Rock back thru Gap 12.6 miles
Views: Coastal Range, Wooded, Sparse Bay Views on return leg
Crowd: Light
Average Speed: 3.3 mph
Stopped Time: 4 min (meet people on the trail)
Difficulty 1-5 for relative distance: 3
Bike: No Bikes
Dogs: No dogs
Cautions: Poison Oak, Trail has sections that with a very large and heavy pack might be a bit tough.
​
Hike Direction: East to West, Clockwise.
​
Download GPX route: Click Here
Parking: $8 in Castle Rock Park, free off Skyline RD.
​
Driving Directions:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir//37.23064,-122.095764/@37.2304898,-122.165922,12z/data=!3m1!4b1
​
More info: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=538
​
The first part winds up to view Castle Rock, drops down to see the water falls (best in spring), traverses across a ridge with great views, passes thru Castle Rock Campground then ascends via the "Skyline to Sea trail" and finally returns via a traverse alone Skyline on the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
Note: There are a few sections that will not exactly scrambling, would be harder with a super heavy backpack (if you're going this way on your Skyline to Sea Trail). I hike with a multi day 12-15lbs backpack and it was light enough that these sections were easy, but they do drop off and falling would not be good.
• Parking lot to camp is about 3.5 Miles.
• Reliable water via your water filter in San Lorenzo creek is about 5.5 Miles.
• The turn down to Skyline to the Sea trail is about 6.4 miles.
Millage Chart - https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/540/files/trail_camp_mileage_chart.pdf
Camp Map -
http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/540/files/trail_camp_mileage_chart.pdf
Backpack Camping - Castle Rock Trail Camp is different from the other Backcountry Trail Camps. It is open year round on a first-come, first-served basis. It has trash receptacles, bathrooms, and 20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Wood is available for sale during the wet season. Fires are not allowed during fire season. The cost is $15 per campsite per night. This includes overnight parking for one vehicle. Each additional vehicle is $8 per night. To register and pay your fees, check in at the Entrance Station at the Castle Rock parking lot. If you arrive when the station is not staffed, you can use the self-registration envelopes. Make sure you bring exact change or a check to use in case you must use the self-registration. Place your receipt on the dashboard in a visible place as proof of payment. Rangers will verify payment.
For more information about camping and fire closure dates, please call Castle Rock State Park at (408) 867-2952.
​


​
Red = Out & Back (O/B) or Connection hikes
Green = Loops
Blue = Backpacking including Backpacking thru hikes
Light Blue = Thru hikes
Yellow = To-do Backpack
Pink = Smaller loop option
Orange = To-do
Purple = Bay Ridge Trail thru hikes
GENERAL NOTES:
• Total Elevation Gain reported by GAIA on IOS devices looks to be a bit under reported when compared to Garmin devices that feature Baro elevation correction. It has been left for consistency.
• I carried a full overnight weekend backpack and hiked solo, unless otherwise noted. This certainly slows the time and pace a bit. I did so initially for the workout, but now so that the pacing is consistent and thus more predictable for comparing hike to hike times.
• Often midweek you might not see another person on your loop. Some of the Best Hikes on the Peninsula are surprisingly remote.
• Some of the trails have sharp drops just off the edge of the single track. A fall off in the wrong spot could be very bad.
• Cell signal is spotty to non-existent in many of the areas.
• Carry a headlamp in case you get lost, delayed, over estimated your progress, when you have an afternoon start, etc.
• When Hiking Solo, consider carrying extra food, first aid, and shelter or bivy, in case you find yourself lost, injured or in the parks after dark. It could be better to shelter in place, than continue without working light, tripping and falling off a cliff or wandering lost thru the night.
• Wildlife consists not only of lizards, rabbits, birds (including turkeys and hogs in some of the areas) and deer, but I have seen or seen signs of coyote, bob cat, rattle snakes and even mountain lions in several of the preserves over the years.
Seems like the lizards make the most noise as the run thru the leaves, but note that on several occasions the rattle snakes did NOT rattle. It never hurts to be aware of where you are stepping.
​
ABOUT DOGS AND BIKES:
Most of the hiking routes cover a large area and numerous hiking trails. While some of the hiking trails used to create the route might allow dogs or bikes, a "NO" for either is listed if at any point on the hike, a hiking trail used for the hike, has a "NO" sign is posted.
However, regardless of the signs posted, please note that you'll often still see both.