Trailhead sign at the parking lot. Noone home at the trailhead this morning. I was following this 5 mile loop from bahiker.com

The first mile followed a dry creekbed south from the parking lot. Very dry up here at this time of year, but it was much much cooler than my Portola Redwoods hike from a week ago.

First trail junction with the trail up to the park's namesake Castle Rock. I should have taken the short trip up to see the rock, but my ankle was aching when I passed by here on the return trip.

Creek crossing about a mile from the trailhead and the junction of the Ridge and Saratoga Gap trails. The creek had popped out from underground a bit upstream from the bridge. This was the start of the loop portion of the hike.

One of the large rock outcroppings visible along the Ridge Trail.

View south looking over the vallies between Skyline and the Pacific. A bit hazy today and there was still a bit of fog off to the left.

Railing as the trail passed alongside a rock outcropping.

Profile of Goat Rock from the trailside overlook.

Stairsteps leading up the side of Goat Rock