The very popular Berry Creek Falls Loop in California’s oldest state park is a trail that you must hike. This amazing loop trail is located near Boulder Creek, California and it features several spectacular waterfalls. It’s an 11.2-mile loop trail with an elevation gain of 2,335 feet. There is more than one reason as to why hikers love this trail and hike it more than once. Giant redwood trees, creeks, and three beautiful waterfalls are the main attractions for the visitors, but the trail has a lot else to offer as well.
The State Park itself is just 65 miles away from San Francisco, but the windy roads might delay you. But, you should go there, no matter what, and you will not regret. The trail begins from the park headquarters; you can park your vehicles there. As this is a very popular trail, you won’t find it easy to get a decent parking spot. So, if you want to avoid that, you need to reach there just after sunrise or in the evening. From the parking lot, you can take Redwood Loop Trail and then take the bridge over Opal Creek that joins the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. This trail climbs around 400 feet to a dirt-free road called Middle Ridge Road.
From this road, the trail begins to descend all the way to Berry Creek Falls. This also means on your way back, you will have to do a lot of climbing. So, make sure you have enough energy to do this. Also, take rest before you begin climbing and take plenty of water with you, so you don’t dehydrate. The path is lush and on your way, you would see mossy trees, redwoods, and ferns and clover. The trail is in great condition, but, when it’s raining, you might find it difficult to walk easily.
As the trail descends along the Kelly Creek, you would get to see flora and fauna including a banana slug. After hiking for around 4 miles, you would reach the double bridge over Waddell Creek. These are not permanent bridges, you won’t see them if the creek is running high. Soon, you will get an amazing view of the biggest of the falls on Berry Creek.