The forest of nisene marks state park, aptos, california. Located just off the pacific ocean coast and a short cruise through aptos, california, this magnificent oldgrowth redwood forest spreads from the sea level town inland and up steep mountains elevating several thousand feet high. This park is on land that was clearcut during a fortyyear logging frenzy 18831923. Aerial photo flights for nisene marks state park university. Best mountain biking trails in the forest of nisene marks. Nicene definition is of or relating to nicaea or the nicaeans.
Aptos creek and west ridge trail loop to top of the incline. See more ideas about park, state parks and local parks. This article californias other redwood country, especially big basin is a standalone article on my website. The 34th annual forest of nisene marks marathon, half marathon and 5k, presented by the santa cruz host lions will be held on saturday, june 6. The aptos creek trail leads to the epicenter of the 1989 loma prieta earthquake. Forest of nisene marks state park in aptos, ca, is very close to santa cruz. Parke ang the forest of nisene marks state park sa tinipong bansa. Big basin, santa cruz map national geographic maps. Check out summit nisene marks ep by cm4 on amazon music.
Nisene marks connects with another popular park, the soquel demonstration state forest, a property thats being actively logged and that has a trail system mainly intended for mountain biking. This tshirt features artwork, created for friends of santa cruz state parks by michael schwab depicting a lone figure amongst the towering redwoods in full moon light. Poster features the beautiful artwork of michael schwab created for friends of santa cruz state parks depicting a lone figure amongst the towering redwoods in full moon light. Turn left on emmet street next to mission plaza and right on school street. Her children donated almost 9,700 acres to the state in 1963 with the provision that the land never be developed. A hike through nisene marks with the history dude sandy lydon, known around santa cruz county as the history dude, sits on the back of his white pickup truck in the forest of nisene marks visitor parking lot, a map of the state park spread out beside him. Riding injuries put unnecessary stress on medical systems that need all available resources to fight the virus, and group rides increase. Whether you travel by foot, bike, or car, a road trip through the redwood forest of nisene marks should be on your bucket list. Take santa cruz metro routes 35a, 71 or 66 or 91x to the park. Youll also find their usual array of books, apparel, souvenirs, and household goods that reflect the natural and cultural history o. She ran a chicken ranch, and provided chicken feed to ranchers in the area. In his book to timbuktu, mark jenkins says, ignorance is the root of adventure. The forest of nisene marks state park in aptos, ca is in the california beaches attractions, parks, and things to do category. Forest of nisene marks state park foster travel publishing.
Some of its 30 miles of trails lead to historic logging sites. Best kid friendly trails in the forest of nisene marks state park. When the loggers left the aptos canyon, the forest began to heal itself and now the scars grow fainter with each passing year. Forest of nisene marks state park archives foster travel. The forest of nisene marks state park, located in aptos, is known for its more than 30 miles of scenic trails through the vast redwood forest.
Forest of nisene marks dogfriendly parks aptos creek road aptos, california 8317637062 get map or directions dogs on leash are allowed in part of this park. The forest of nisene marks is a monument to forest regeneration and the future it is a forest in the state of becoming. The plasmaetch is a groundbreaking technological marvel used for the etching of encapsulated integrated. Reminiscent of old logging and railroad work done in its place, there are still hints of history throughout the forest. The forest of nisene marks state park is a state park of california, usa, protecting a secondary. Find a trail advocates for the forest of nisene marks. Best trails in the forest of nisene marks state park.
Sandy lydon, known around santa cruz county as the history dude, sits on the back of his white pickup truck in the forest of nisene marks visitor parking lot, a map of the state park spread out beside him. Yup, in the heart of this idyllic woodland likes loma prieta, the dark hill, where no one knew there was a major earthquake fault until the middle. The turtle mountains are 30 miles 48 km southwest of needles, california, west off of u. Explore the forest of nisene marks state park jeff thomson on. All this, and he tells great stories with enthusiasm and humor. Aptos is home to both the forest of nisene marks state park and seacliff state beach california state parks. The advocates for the forest of nisene marks state park is a nonprofit volunteer organization founded by local community members to support the park. The san andreas fault zone passes nearby and the epicenter of the m6.
Jun 30, 2018 the forest of nisene marks state park posted on june 30, 2018 by trailhiker when i planned to hike in the forest of nisene marks state park i had in mind to visit on a warm day, since the park is heavily forested and shaded a great destination for a warm day when i still really wanted to get out and go for a hike. Also includes the adjacent soquel demonstration forest. With your tote bags full, head down the road to the forest of nisene marks for a hike and picnic lunch. Expertly researched and created in partnership with local land management agencies, national geographics trails illustrated map of big basin, santa cruz provides an unparalleled tool for exploring this landscape of redwood forests and picturesque california coastline.
The history of the forest of nisene marks state park. Hiking forest of nisene marks to maple falls weekend sherpa. The forest of nisene marks state park is a state park of california, usa, protecting a secondary forest in the santa cruz mountains. The sublime forest of nisene marks state park is popular for good reason, but head to its far reaches and youll be awestruck by the solitude beneath the looming redwoods.
The forest of nisene marks state park aptos, california. The forest of nisene marks by chateaugrief on deviantart. Learn about park history, plants and animals, earthquake activity, camping, picnic areas. Most of the land falling within the forest of nisene marks state park is quite rugged with steep slopes and ravines fanning out from the main artery of aptos creek. The historic advocate tree of nisene marks times publishing group. Nisene marks state park in santa cruz, oneway mountain bike ride. Very beautiful lush diverse forest, gradually gets steep and less diverse once you enter nisene marks but still shady. Because nisene marks rides o sandstone, there was little of the liquefaction that produced destruction in santa cruz, oakland, and san francisco. From the parks porter picnic area, its a 1 12mile walk to the quakes epicenter. Middle english, from late latin nicaenus, from latin nicaea nicaea, from greek nikaia.
Riding injuries put unnecessary stress on medical systems that need all available resources to fight the virus, and group rides. Forest of nisene marks in aptos silicon valley and beyond. The advocates discovered the tree shortly after the land was donated to the state park system in 1996. For a list of writers who live in the area, but who have written books about other topics, see local writers. Californias other redwood country, especially big basin.
The forest of nisene marks, only 5 miles northeast of santa cruz, is wild and expansive. Others wind through redwood canyons or up to ridges with sweeping ocean views. But its recovering nicelyand offers hikers and mountain bikers a chance to explore 30 miles of. Ang the forest of nisene marks state park nahimutang sa kondado sa santa cruz county ug estado sa california, sa habagatankasadpang bahin sa nasod, 3,900 km sa kasadpan sa ulohang dakbayan washington, d.
The garden is only open a couple of times per year to the general public, usually in the spring, or with an appointment. Two hiking destinations are maple falls and five finger falls. Jul 31, 2012 a hike through nisene marks with the history dude. The bridges formed as wave power eroded the mudstone, deepening depressions in the cliff that grew until the rock formed a cave, and eventually, a bridge. The idyllic forest of nisene marks rises from sea level to over 2,600 feet at the highest coastal mountain peak. The road starts with a creek you have to ford in winter. Further parallel articles are often chapters in my two main travel guidebooksebooks on california. Its mostly flat with a bit of elevation towards the end. Named for nisene marks, the natureloving mother of the salinas farm family that bought the land in the 1950s, this park reflects an earlier time in santa cruz county.
To locate the the forest of nisene marks state park just select the map tab above. Take highway 1 north to its intersection with mission street and turn left. The forest spans over 10,223 acres and offers stunning views of the santa cruz mountains. The forest of nisene marks state park, located in aptos, is known for its more than 30. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Apr 20, 2015 theres an interesting place, uphill from soquel, ca, bordering the forest of nisene marks state park. Jun 24, 20 the town spreckelsville on maui is named after him. Forest of nisene marks state park aptos 2020 all you need to. The nisene family of products the complete nisene lineup a complete list of our current products can be seen below, along with a few of our older products that you might still find out in the field. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. Heading back down from sandy point to the parking lot. Although spreckels kept his formal residence in san francisco, he closed many business deals from his summer home in aptos. Note there is a public access easement on this road, you enter at the left gate, the stencil saying no trespassing is false. The forest of nisene marks now covers roughly 10,000 acres of second and thirdgrowth redwood forest within the aptos creek, bridge creek and hinckley creek watersheds.
The forest of nisene marks state park home facebook. Definitely recommend wearing waterproof shoes with a ton of grip and even ankle support. The forest of nisene marks state park is named for nisene marks, the mother of a farming family from salinas who purchased 9,700 acres in the hopes of finding oil below the ground. The rich natural historical information contained in this book will be of. Camping near the forest of nisene marks state park is easy with hipcamp, where private landowners offer. State parks ranger, gerry waggoner, who for many years provided visitors with insights into the history and ecology of the park, was a strong influence in the formation and direction of the advocates for nisene marks state park. Henry cowell, wilder ranch, and nisene marks map second edition redwood hikes press. Explore the forest of nisene marks state park by jeff. Nisene marks mountain bike, hike, trail running trails near aptos, california. Follow our koop a beat retreat playlist on spotify. Hike to maple falls at the forest of nisene marks state. The forest of nisene marks state park in santa cruz has been home to ohlone native americans, redwood loggers, and massive earthquake.
The advocates are a strong partner with the california department of parks in helping provide capital improvements and implementing special projects. The forest of nisene marks is a monument to forest regeneration and the futureit is a forest in a perpetual state of becoming. For reservations, directions, or questions you can call them at 831 7637063. He has taken students into the forest of nisene marks for over thirty years. History the park was named after nisene marks, a passionate nature lover and the mother of a salinas farming family that purchased the land from lumber companies and others in the hopes of finding oil. Natural bridges state beach is named for three naturally occurring arches that were once part of a large cliff that jutted out into the sea. Her children donated approximately 9,700 acres to the state in 1963 with the provision that the land never be developed. The forest of nisene marks is a monument to forest regeneration and the future it is a forest in the state. We went to the dirt road area of the forest of nicene marks state par.
Event made possible by the advocates of nisene marks and the nisene marks trail crew. Would definitely consider this trail easy rather than moderate. Aptos creek and west ridge trail loop to top of the incline and sand point overlook is a 14. Most stories about aptos history begin in 1833 with the rancho aptos land grant to rafael castro. Mar 27, 2020 aptos, california is located on monterey bay, just a few miles south of santa cruz in the county of the same name. Lower area of the forest of nisene marks state park noting location of. Forest of nisene marks state park aptos 2020 all you. Nice marks was the nature loving mother of the salinas farm family that bought the land in the 1950s. One side includes henry cowell redwoods state park, wilder ranch state park, pogonip, and the university of california at santa cruz. If you drive a stones throw past the entrance turnout, you can gaze at the secondoldest. Best camping in and near the forest of nisene marks state park. Dogs are allowed only along the entrance road and in the picnic areas and must be on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. Nisene marks is popular with hikers and mountain bikers. You will find the forest of nisene marks state park situated in central california near the states coastline.
The loma prieta earthquake occurred on october 17, 1989 at 5. It is located outside aptos, california and contains over 40 miles 64 km of hiking trails and fire roads through 10,223 acres 4,7 ha of variable terrain. Bike the forest of nisene marks aptos weekend sherpa. Henry cowell, wilder ranch, and nisene marks map redwood.
Top 25 the forest of nisene marks state park rv rentals and. Celebrating women in state park california state parks. The parks name honors nisene marks, the natureloving mother of the salinas farm family that bought the land in the 1950s. Locals flock to the forest of nisene marks for picnicking, biking, hiking, and running. The epicenter was in nisene marks state park, just three miles up from aptos village.
The reverse side of the map is illustrated with stunning photographs and a cultural and natural history overview of the park. They welcome quiet and respectful visitors to wander their interesting property. Santa cruz mission state historic park thatsmypark. This was lydons entry point into studying nisene marks. Explore the forest of nisene marks state park by jeff thomson. Explore the forest of nisene marks state park book. Welcome to reading the redwoods save the redwoods league.
From travel books to narrative fiction set in the area, this is a list of books written about santa cruz and santa cruzans. Race morning pick up at the startfinish is available, but we highly recommend you pick up on friday. The forest of nisene marks state park visit santa cruz. He wrote the history of aptos canyon for the parks general plan, and he helped to convince the state parks commission to adopt the park. They are allowed on a beautiful wooded trail that parallels the gravel aptos creek road on the left or west side of the road only.
The santa cruz mission state historic park is located at 144 school st. In celebration of save the redwoods leagues centennial in 2018, the league will sponsor a reading contest to inspire young people to discover californias redwood forests. Sugar oaf mountain 1268ft cess millponcl lake oardo cabri l owe c. Mountain bike trails near the forest of nisene marks state park. The 34th annual forest of nisene marks marathon, half marathon and 5k, presented by the santa cruz host lions will be held on saturday, june 6, 2015.
All of the information about the race has either been supplied by the event staff or can be modified at any time by their race management. The augmentation also included the area now known as nisene marks state. Race shirt and race number pick up is friday, june 1st at santa crtuz running company 1664 spquel drive, santa cruz, ca 95065 from 26pm. In 1963, her two sons and daughter donated the land to the state in her name because of her love of nature. May 04, 2015 the sumner garden of rhododendrons is located within the monte toyon camp and conference center, up cathedral drive in aptos, adjacent to the forest of nisene marks. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The most up to date topographical map of the forest of nisene marks state park illustrates multiuse and designated trails, points of interest, picnic areas, etc. With the tall redwoods that make california famous around the world to its name in the forest of nisene marks state park, as well as sandy seaside beaches with great sunset views of the pacific ocean, aptos has outdoor attractions. Nisene marks was a danish immigrant who settled in the salinas valley. The property was clearcut in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Foster travel publishing, 1623 martin luther king, berkeley, ca. Hike to nisene marks maple falls, aptos creek fire road. The forest of nisene marks state park, a california.