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Hiking to Berry Creek Falls in Big Basin Redwoods State Park

November 29, 2016 By Jeff H 13 Comments

Hiking to Berry Creek Falls in Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Giant old-growth redwood trees, lush forest, babbling creeks and beautiful waterfalls–there is plenty to love about this nearly 11 mile loop hike to Berry Creek Falls in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Big Basin Redwoods is California’s oldest state park, and features the largest stand of coastal redwoods south of San Francisco. These are tall trees–some more than 300 feet tall and 50 feet in circumference–and they date back 1,000 to 2,500 years old.

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Trail Details
Distance: 11 miles
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,364 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round
Trailhead Directions
Big Basin Redwoods State Park itself is only 65 miles south of San Francisco, but the windy roads you must take to reach the park make it seem much further. It has been on my radar for a long while, and I finally paid a visit on a recent road trip. It was well worth the drive.

Berry Creek Falls is actually a series of four waterfalls deep in the park. This route will take you down a section of the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail to the Berry Creek Falls Trail, then return via the higher Sunset Trail to complete the loop. You’ll start and finish at the park headquarters.

From the parking area, I took the Redwood Loop Trail past the amphitheater and took the bridge over Opal Creek, where it joins the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.

Heading to the Skyline to Sea Trail

On the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, the trail climbs about 400 feet to Middle Ridge Road−a dirt fire road. The trail crosses the road and from here nearly all the way to Berry Creek Falls it’s all downhill. Of course means that you’ll be doing a lot of climbing to get back. Be sure you save some energy for the return trip!

Skyline to the Sea Trailhead sign
Looking at the trail through the redwoods
Low clearance on the Skyline to Sea trail

The basin is lush, with mossy trees, soaring redwoods,  ferns and clover carpeting the forest floor.

Lush redwood forest

It had rained the previous night, and moisture clung to every leaf. The trail itself was in great condition, though there were a few slick patches where trekking poles would have been handy.

As the trail descended the canyon along Kelly Creek, I spied a variety of flora and fauna, including my first sighting of a banana slug in the wild!

Banana slugs are brilliant yellow and rather large slugs that are quite common in the Santa Cruz Mountains. In fact, the lowly banana slug is the official mascot of US Santa Cruz. On this hike, I ended up counting twenty-four banana slugs in total.

A newt on the Skyline to Sea Trail
See the newt?
I saw 24 banana slugs on this loop to Berry Falls
1 of 24 banana slugs
Mushrooms growing on an overhanging branch

Given the lush foliage, it’s easy to imagine how quickly these trails could be lost if they weren’t maintained. Fortunately, that’s not a problem. The trail is easy to follow with great tread, well marked signage and steep sections like this cut with steps to curb erosion.

Steps down to the seasonal Kelly Creek crossing

Four miles into the hike I reached the double bridge over Waddell Creek. These are considered seasonal bridges that are removed when the creek runs high, but there was no issue for me at the end of October.

This bridge is removed when Waddell Creek swells in winter storms

Another 100 yards further and the trail reaches a junction with the Berry Creek Falls Trail toward the right. I took it, and was soon rewarded with an amazing view of the biggest of the falls on Berry Creek.

Berry Creek Falls

There is a great viewing deck near the base of this waterfall, with benches that make a perfect spot for a break. I chatted with the first two hikers I had seen on this Monday morning−a pair of backpackers that had spent the night up the trail at Sunset Camp. We swapped hello’s and shared a bit about our respective adventures, and I continued up the trail.

The Berry Creek Falls Trail is a real gem, with a series of beautiful and different waterfalls as you ascend. The trail climbs about 500 feet in a mile, finally terminating at the junction to Sunset Camp and the Sunset Trail−the final trail in this loop.

Looking down on the deck from the trail near the top of Berry Creek Falls
Observation deck from the main waterfall
Berry Creek
The next tier up Berry Creek
The second tier of Berry Falls
These steps remind me a bit of the Mist Trail in Yosemite
Slippery steps
The steps climb right beside the cascade
Bottom of a multi-tiered waterfall on Berry Creek
Bottom of a multi-tiered cascade

Junction to Sunset Camp

The Sunset Trail is 5.3 miles of rollercoaster trail; lots of up and down. It runs well above the canyons in sections, giving you views out over the redwoods.

Views above the redwoods on the Sunset Trail

Along the way you’ll pass junctions with the Timm’s Creek Trail and a connector with the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail before finally crossing the Middle Ridge Road and the final descent to finish the loop.

Timms Creek Trail junction
Wood bridge over Timms Creek
Sleepy Timms Creek
Hiking the Sunset Trail

Take your time as you walk through these ancient groves. Think about the centuries of history they have lived through. You and I and the others who have passed these trees through the millennia are connected through this shared experience.

The Walter W. Boardman Grove
Redwood grove
Skyline to the Sea Trailhead
Closing the loop
Model of the park in the museum
Visit the museum

Back at the trailhead, stop by the museum for a look at the history and the research that continues at the park. Be sure to check out the intricate wood model of the park that shows the topology and the distribution of the various kinds of trees in the park.

Skyline to the Sea/Sunset Trail Map and Elevation Profile

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: skyline-to-sunset-loop-big-basin-redwoods.gpx

Berry Creek Falls Tips

  • The bridge crossing Waddell Creek is removed when the creek is running high. Check with the ranger for current conditions. You can call the park to check before you go at (831) 338-8860.
  • Hike this loop in a clockwise direction (as described) for the best views.
  • The trail can be slippery. Wear trail shoes with good traction.
  • There is a $10 per car day use fee, but no permits are required for day hikes. You will be given a slip of paper to note your planned route and time of return and leave on your car dashboard. Fill it out. The day before I hiked this, a mother and her two young children got lost in the park. They huddled under a redwood in the rain until (fortunately) the rangers found them.
  • You can also backpack this loop, camping overnight at Sunset Camp (near the midpoint). Permits are required.

More Big Basin Redwoods State Park Resources

  • Big Basin Redwoods State Park − Official website
  • Driving directions to Big Basin Redwoods State Park − Google Maps
    21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA 95006
  • Berry Creek Loop − Redwood Hikes

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Weather Forecast

The location could not be found.

Hike to Berry Creek Falls in Big Basin Redwoods State Park

I hiked this trail solo on October 31, 2016. 

 

Filed Under: State Parks, Trail Guides Tagged With: 11+ miles, Backpacking, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, hiking, out of bounds, scenic, State Park, waterfall

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Jeff H

About Jeff H

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. My wife Joan and I are on the trails every weekend. I started SoCal Hiker to share my passion for outdoor adventure.

Comments

  1. Sophia Imai says

    November 30, 2016 at 2:04 pm

    Thank you for sharing your adventure and the gorgeous photos!

    Reply
  2. Louise Brown says

    December 3, 2016 at 7:55 pm

    Thank Jeff for gorgeous photos and especially details guide, time, direction and weather! so detail

    Reply
  3. Jamie Nails says

    December 9, 2016 at 6:36 pm

    Great write up Jeff. This trail looks amazing. Stunning waterfalls!

    Reply
  4. Kristie says

    December 18, 2016 at 10:11 am

    My friend and I saw this post and decided we needed to do this hike! It was about a 6 hr drive for us but so worth the weekend trip! There happened to be a big rain storm the day before we hiked the trail and the water levels were very high. A number of the bridges were out and we had to find alternate routes over the creek, but it was an adventure we will not soon forget! Thank you for posting this!

    Reply
  5. Jason says

    December 21, 2016 at 9:32 pm

    Jeff…taking the family in Julne 17 to Lost Coast ( and Redwoods., Humboldts,etc) should we take synthetic sleeping bags instead of down due to humid/damp coastal eviorn? Coming from Texas so totally different world for us. Please give us some don’t miss spots between Redwoods NP and Los Angeles. Thank you sir

    Reply
  6. Falk says

    January 18, 2017 at 7:20 pm

    Hi,

    We did the hike last Sunday after the stormy week. Quite a few big redwoods fell during the storm. There was a little bit of climbing over at several spots needed and a one place we had to walk through the hole, a big root left, when the tree fell. Thats quite deep!
    – we spottet at leasr one banana slug. Without you picture I hadn’t seen it. Thx!
    – your recommendation to hike clockwise is perfectly right. Thx again!
    – we were a little bit in a hurry so the hike took us 4.5 hours. Only one short break and a picture here and there.
    – all of the other interconnecting trails between Skyline ti Sea and Sunset were closet due to bridges beeing destroyed during the storm. (On 15 January 2017)

    Reply
  7. Jeff HJeff Hester says

    January 18, 2017 at 11:11 pm

    Thanks for the update, Falk! It’s a shame that so many trees fell in the storm. Makes the hike a bit like an obstacle course.

    Glad you spotted at least one banana slug. They are easy to miss if you’re not really looking for them.

    Happy Trails!

    Reply
  8. Patti Ie says

    January 29, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    Thank you sharing your adventure and photos! My husband and I are thinking of doing this trail in a few weeks!

    Reply
  9. best LED lanterns says

    March 20, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    Reminds me of a hike in Muir Woods, but without all the crowds. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Camp Stuffs says

    March 22, 2017 at 4:34 am

    Thank you Jeff for sharing. Great post!

    Reply
  11. AnnMarie Ramirez says

    April 6, 2017 at 1:50 pm

    I hiked this trail about 10 years ago. With a guy named Jeff, ironically. Haha It was absolutely gorgeous and strenuous all at the same time. Swimming in the waterfalls were the best. Thanks for posting and remembering this hike.

    Reply
  12. Kimberly Hodgden says

    July 19, 2018 at 10:42 pm

    I’m headed for a trip to Big Basin next week and cannot wait to check out this trail! Thanks for posting

    Reply
  13. riza says

    March 18, 2019 at 11:47 am

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bhxKLQlc1Q

    Reply

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