Lobitos Creek Trail

Dogs No Dogs

There are no services along this trail, so bring plenty of food and water for your hike. There are no restrooms in this part of the preserve, so please practice Leave No Trace principles if you need to use the restroom.

This is a narrow trail that runs through the woods. There is more moisture in this area, so the trail may be slippery even if it hasn't rained for several days, so watch your step.

The Lobitos Creek Trail begins as a wide dirt trail that departs the Irish Ridge Trail and descends toward Lobitos Creek past several large Redwood trees until the trail ends at a large redwood tree at the end of the trail. As the trail departs the Irish Ridge Trail, a large redwood tree comes into view quickly on the left side of the trail. Imagine a forest of these giants before loggers began harvesting them for various building projects.

After passing the tree, the trail starts to descend steeply into the woods. The trail is shaded for the entire duration, which also helps keep this area cooler than other areas of the preserve. The trail drops through the woods, where you can enjoy various mosses and ferns growing along the trail, covering trees, rocks, and other plants. The trail winds its way, becoming narrower as it goes.

The trail terminates beneath a giant Redwood tree deep in the preserve. If you pass the tree, you'll see a sign indicating that you have reached the end of the trail. Your only option at this point is turn around and retrace your steps back up to Irish Ridge and then back to your vehicle.

When combined with the Grabtown Gulch, Borden Hatch Mill, Bald Knob, and Irish Ridge Trail, this run becomes a 7.5+ mile run with a lot of descending and climbing in the middle section of the run, so make sure you take this into consideration when planning the run. As this is in a more remote part of the preserve, this hike allows you to escape some of the crowds and enjoy a quiet walk in the woods.

Redwood Trees are the main attraction on this trail.