Rainy Day hike from Waddel Beach to Chalk Mountain
The weather report called for a 35% percent of afternoon rain, so I thought I could risk a trip. I was wrong. :)
Did a followup trip in late November with much better weather: here
Route for the afternoon. (~15mi clockwise around the loop from the ocean). Got a late start today- didn't hit the trail till after 11. My original intention was to loop all the way up around Berry Creek falls, but I cut it a bit short after the weather turned sour.
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10/24/2004 12:39 PM
Parked at the Waddell Beach entrance to Big Basin, along highway 1 north of Santa Cruz. First trip to the beach for the new car.
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10/23/2004 11:15 AM
The first quarter mile or so was along the road. The Waddel Creek valley stretches to the north with clouds hovering over the ridgetops.
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10/23/2004 11:15 AM
The start of the Skyline to Sea trail. The hiker trail split from the road here and climbed up to follow the side of the ridge. They would rejoin in a mile or so.
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10/23/2004 11:21 AM
Up above the road now, looking back at Waddel Creek emptying into the Pacific Ocean.
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Trail junction with the Clark Connection and the start of the loop portion of my route. The sign says 9 miles to Chalk Mountain which is wildly incorrect. (Think the correct distance is closer to 6 miles) Last comment 07/24/2006.
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The Clark connection was steep (but still equestrian graded) and switchbacked up to the top of the ridge. Last comment 02/21/2010.
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Up on the ridgetop for a last view of the ocean. It started raining about here, just a mist at first and gradually getting harder.
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The trail followed the ridgetop north, splitting time between exposed sections and forest. Lots of up and down, as most sections of the trail did not attempt to skirt around minor highpoints.