It is the site of the loma prieta mill and other historic sites, and is the location of the epicenter of the 1989 loma prieta earthquake. Volunteers should meet at the park entrance kiosk at 9. Purchased by the marks family in the 1950, the land was donated to the state in 1963. The most up to date topographical map of the forest of nisene marks state park illustrates multiuse and designated trails, points of interest, picnic areas, etc.
Theres an interesting place, uphill from soquel, ca, bordering the forest of nisene marks state park. The road is wide, dusty, and not particularly interesting, but this main thoroughfare forms the spine of the park. Kirby park via san andreas, murphys crossing, hazel dell. Rising all the way from sea level to 2,600 feet, visitors find lush forests covering steep coastal mountains.
Clearcut about a hundred years ago, nisene marks is today carpeted with dense secondgrowth forest. When the loggers left the aptos canyon, the forest began to heal itself and now the scars grow fainter with each passing year. You can also use it for a secret backdoor into nisene marks state park. Halfmarathon is a lollipop course with outandback on fire road and a loop that is entirely on single track trail, mostly shaded, with 2000ft of elevation gainloss. Off the beaten path, the forest of nisene marks is a refreshing retreat from the busy towns and beaches. The original idea was to combine the 2 waterfalls at the forest of nisene, after talking to a fellow organizer i found out that some of the trails are poorly marked and hard to find. Mountain biking irresponsibly during the covid19 pandemic puts you and others at risk. Although the distance was something less than eight miles, the ups and downs were steep, long, and many.
The marathon, half marathon, and 5k races start and finish at aptos village park 5k. They welcome quiet and respectful visitors to wander their interesting property. The forest of nisene marks state park, a california located. The forest of nisene marks state park, a california. This is the site of the famous 1989 loma prieta earthquake.
Soquel demonstration forest mountain bike trail map. The forest of nisene marks is a beautiful redwoods forest, with only a few bike riders and even less hikers, so you can here yourself think, the birds singing, and the ocean breeze running through the forest canopy. The park is cool, shady, and quiet, and has lots of trails. Nisene marks is largely defined by one major fire road. Today the park is a popular spot for running, hiking and horseback riding. It is located outside aptos, california and contains over 40 miles 64 km of hiking trails and fire roads through 10,223 acres 4,7 ha of variable terrain. The marks family of salinas deeded more than 9,000 acres to the state for use as a public park in 1963. Jan 06, 2017 the idyllic forest of nisene marks rises from sea level to over 2,600 feet at the highest coastal mountain peak. Sep 02, 2019 the forest of nisene marks state park.
Epicenter of the 1989 loma prieta earthquake trip highlights. It has more variety and better redwoods than most of the parks other trails. The forest of nisene marks state park map, ca natural atlas. May 04, 2015 advocates for the forest of nisene marks. Race morning pick up at the startfinish is available, but we highly recommend you pick up on friday. For centuries, the jagged terrain of these 10,000 acres saved the original trees from loggers and settlers. The forest of nisene marks state park aptos creek road aptos, california 95003 phone. Riding injuries put unnecessary stress on medical systems that need all available resources to fight the virus, and group rides increase. Looking for a great trail in the forest of nisene marks state park california. In the 1950s, herman, agnes and andrew marks purchased about 9,700 acres of this land, thinking the area to be rich in oil. Soquel demonstration forest and the forest of the nisene marks share a common boundary, similar topography and a plethora of evergreen trees. Learn more about the forest of nisene marks state park.
See 1 photos and 17 tips from 650 visitors to the forest of nisene marks state park. A strenuous hike in the forest of nisene marks neil wiley. The forest of nisene marks is a monument to forest regeneration and the future it is a forest in the state of. The park was named for nisene marks, a passionate nature lover and the mother of a salinas farming family that purchased the land from lumber companies and. Very pleasurable hike but i still have more trails to explore in this forest. Other donations have increased park acreage to nearly 10,000 acres. Olive springs to sand point lookout the fourth way into the forest of nisene marks neil wiley. Birding a redwood forest june 7, 2008 quick overview to before and the trip filled quickly. The forest of nisene marks state park is a reception venue in aptos, ca. Situated just east of santa cruz, centered around the aptos creek canyon, the forest of nisene marks state park is a semiwilderness with. With narrow trails meandering below the towering redwoods limiting the number of eager birders seemed the only way to go. The forest of nisene marks state park is a state park of california, usa, protecting a secondary forest in the santa cruz mountains. Upper aptos creek fire road gate and barrier installation.
Best trails in the forest of nisene marks state park. The friends of santa cruz state parks have announced that they are working with the advocates for the forest of nisene marks and california state parks to help keep the dust off the nisene marks fire road last year the forest of nisene marks advisory committee, comprised of the three organizations, worked to fund the re. Jan 19, 2017 the forest of nisene marks state park has over 30 miles of trails. Also includes the adjacent soquel demonstration forest. The forest of nisene marks is a monument to forest regeneration and the future it is a forest in the state of becoming. The forest of nisene marks state park state provincial. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please. Most nisene marks visitors enter the park from aptos via aptos creek road. The advocates for the forest of nisene marks invite you to a special trail work day sunday october 12, 9. The singletrack in the parks upper reaches is closed to bikes. The event benefits the lions club of santa cruz, a nonprofit organization that works to help the seeingimpaired community. Named for matriarch nisene a danish name marks, the gift deed specified that the natural preserve be used for camping, hiking, and nature study. Trails in santa cruz mountain bikers of santa cruz. This project consists of fuels treatments along strategic ridges in the soquel, corralitos and aptos creek watersheds on a mix of private and stateowned properties including nisene marks state park, soquel demonstration state forest and private timberlands.
Riding injuries put unnecessary stress on medical systems that need all available resources to fight the virus, and group. Nisene marks state park offers an usual opportunity for the visitor. Bring the whole family out for a fantastic nature hike in the amazing shaded forest of nisene marks up in santa cruz county. However, for mountain biking they couldnt be more different. Forest of nisene marks state park trailstompers guide to. The forest of nisene marks state park is in santa cruz county, california, usa.
Rides nisene marks sp santa cruz county cycling club. The governors office of planning and research opr accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. The main track is a killer workout by itself, but if. Aptos creek and west ridge trail loop to top of the incline and sand point overlook. The main track is a killer workout by itself, but if you have.
The forest of nisene marks state park contains over 40 miles of trails that are a 5050 mix of old logging roads and singletrack. The california state parks department later expanded the park to 10,036 acres. Forest of nisene marks state park trailstompers guide to sf. The forest of nisene marks state park california state parks. A strenuous hike in the forest of nisene marks surfnet. Forest of nisene marks in aptos silicon valley and beyond. Time has returned the park to more of a locals haunt, but the hike to the epicenter is pretty enough, and evidence from the temblor remains. It was established after the marks, a family of salinasbased ranchers, transferred 9,700 acres to the state of california in 1962. California department of parks and recreation operation manual dom.
Moss landing via san andreas, hwy 1, elkhorn slough, san andreas. The forest of nisene marks state park reception venues. Time has returned the park to more of a locals haunt, but the hike to the epicenter is pretty enough, and. Unfortunately the forest of nisene marks state park was made famous when, at 5. Apr 8, 2016 over 10,000 acres of rugged semiwilderness, rising from sea level to steep coastal mountains of more than 2,600 feet and the site of logging operations until the 1920s visitors can still find evidence of logging operations, mill sites and trestles in the park. Nisene marks activity log embed map of nisene marks mountain bike trails nisene marks mountain biking points of. Race shirt and race number pick up is friday, june 1st at santa crtuz running company 1664 spquel drive, santa cruz, ca 95065 from 26pm.
In winters, the hiking trails in forest of nisene marks are gorgeous, making any 18 and 21 miles long, even though visually, they look very different on a map. Another challenge of a habitat like this is the shear enormity of it all. The forest of nisene marks state park state provincial park. This extremely scenic railtrail is located in the majestic forest of nisene marks state park near aptos, california. The setting for the marathon, half marathon and 5k is the beautiful forest of nisene marks, host to acres of redwood trees nestled in the santa cruz mountains near the small beach town of aptos, ca. Best trails in the forest of nisene marks state park california. Any time you can connect two recreational elements, it provides for a different and better experience for more. This area has the most potential for significant fire. It is fortunate that the epicenter of this large earthquake happened in such a remote area within the forest of nisene. However aptos creek fire road provides access to the trail system in soquel demonstration state forest if you have the legs to pedal the mile climb from town. The park was the site of major logging operations by the loma prieta lumber company from 1883 until 1923. In the months after, nisene marks became something of a tourist attraction, drawing hundreds of hikers eager to see the source of such destructive power. Nisene marks mountain biking trails near aptos, california.
The forest of nisene marks state park redwood hikes. The reverse side of the map is illustrated with stunning photographs and a cultural and natural history overview of the park. Situated just east of santa cruz, centered around the aptos creek canyon, the forest of nisene marks state park is a semiwilderness with miles of trails for hiking, biking, and nature viewing. It was previously known as the koch trail, according to the advocates for the forest of nisene marks, a nonprofit volunteer organization that supports the maintenance and improvement of the park. The idyllic forest of nisene marks rises from sea level to over 2,600 feet at the highest coastal mountain peak. Nisene marks and state parks are collaborating to maintain the fire road at the forest of nisene marks state park this summer april 29, 2015santa cruz, cafriends of santa cruz state parks today announced the nonprofit is working with the advocates for the forest of nisene. On the trail map of henry cowell, wilder ranch, and nisene marks waterproof printed version gps app for mobile devices. Once the site of logging operations until the 1920s, visitors can still find evidence of. Soquel forest is a playground of technical singletrack mountain bike trails. The forest of nisene marks state park has over 30 miles of trails. This hike in the forest of nisene marks state park leads far up a steepwalled side canyon to a remote waterfall. Theyre a tibetan buddhist retreat and educational center. About the park this park is on land that was clearcut during a fortyyear logging frenzy 18831923. When sandy lydon, our hiking class leader, warned us that this allday hike was strenuous, he wasnt kidding.
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