I love mountains. Epic creations of mother nature. The whole awesomeness of slopes covered with dense forests or only with the snow is my favorite view.
That’s why some weeks make my mind want to drive somewhere and hike to the peak, or a valley with the heartbreaking view…

Last Friday I returned from BT from San Diego. I felt tired. And especially bored and lonely without Eugene. I tried to watch some show, paint and read but nothing made me better. As usually at that state I started to surf the internet and my eyes stopped on the old photo from Sempervirens.
That was the moment when I understood what could help me. That unique view of Sempervirens Point. I always knew about the trail that passes that place, so the plan was formed!
I woke up early (the strange habit I got working on the current project, ha?), heavy clouds still covered skies, but forecast promised the sunny day. With disbelief, I started to prepare, called Eugene and got my portion of happiness. The weather didn’t change. So I departed.
There is no good ​loop to pass through Sempervirens; I tried the path: Summit Meadows Trail -> Skyline To The Sea Trail with Red Mountain Trail visit -> Nutmeg Trail -> Saratoga Toll Road Trail -> Beekhuis Rd -> Skyline To The Sea Trail back to the Sempervirens Parking. Red Mountain and Nutmeg trails are part of the Long Ridge Open Space, but they are worked well as the part of the loop.
So I did it. The Meadow Trail is one of the most scenic in the Santa Cruz Mountains. So I did here the dozens of photos.









I went to the crossing of the Big Basin Way to the Skyline Trail when met this lovely looking family


I never saw the photos from the Red Mountain. There is an overlook bench, but the trees grew so big and hid all from eyes. But the trail has the nice point with a pleasant view.


The Nutmeg Trail is well maintained with good shade path, but totally without any special objects. But Saratoga Toll Road is the charming trail, especially in summer. Unlike all others Castle Rock trails, here I haven’t met anyone. I still heard gunshots and sounds from the road, but the trail gave peek-a-boo views.





After all these pleasant walks without significant elevation changes, Beekhuis Rd almost killed me. Be prepared for some uphill hike for 10 minutes.
Skyline to the Sea trail will return you back to the world of popular hiking places 🙂 And will bring you another piece of Santa Cruz Mountains scenery.