Castle Rock is an old and faithful friend. How many combinations of its trails we hiked! And still, one was left aside. I hiked Saratoga Toll road in combination with Skyline-to-the-Sea trail. But nearby Saratoga Gap somehow missed my attention. So when in the hot July day I tried to find the place to hike this trail became the first runner.


To get to the trail, we followed Skyline-to-the-Sea until the first crossing. Right there we took a left to the Saratoga Gap trail. First mile views are partial. But as soon as you pass the small community you will see all majesty of the redwoods covered mountains.

The trail follows the ridge, walks around the gap until reaches Travertine Springs trail. There is descends to the bottom of the canyon where San Lorenzo River starts.

To complete the loop we turned to the Saratoga Toll Road. This part was familiar, redwoods here made a good shade, but the trail itself has no viewpoints. The only things that could get your attention are old autos crashed alongside the trail.

Other Castle Rock State Parks hikes:
Hike from Sempervirens Point from May 2016
Fall hike from November 2015