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The Sky to the Sea Series LbNA #3441

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Mar 20, 2003
Location:
City:Davenport
County:Santa Cruz
State:California
Boxes:5
Planted by:Eliece
Found by: DouglasTrio (2)
Last found:Sep 6, 2008
Status:FFFF
Last edited:Mar 20, 2003
(20 miles North of Santa Cruz, 31 miles South of Half Moon Bay)
Planted by: Eliece, Eric, & Elisha
Milepost: 36.30
Distance: approx. 13 miles round-trip to 75ft Berry Creek Falls
Trail difficulty: recommended for bicyclists, horse people and dedicated hikers
(N 37.09686°, W 122.27986°)

Trailhead: Rancho Del Oso, “Ranch of the Bear”, Big Basin State Park, California State Parks, Santa Cruz County. Park in the beach parking lot where Waddell Creek meets the Pacific on Hwy 1. Most trails are open to hikers and equestrians. Bikes are only permitted on fire roads. Some trails are designated hiking only. No dogs on trails. Big Basin Park hours are 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.

(MIA April 2008)
1st Box: SKY TO THE SEA - Mile 0.0
Cross Pacific Coast HWY 1. Go through the gate. On your left is a Historical Plaque. In October of 1769, the expedition of Don Gaspar de Portola, exploring territories claimed by Spain, camped at Waddell to recover from illness. They name the area "Canada de la Salud" or "Canyon of Health". Upon first encounter with sequoia sempervirens, Padre Juan Crespi called the trees "palos colorados" - red trees - in his journal: "the thickest, tallest and straightest trees we have ever seen". Many of the mature giant trees you see standing around you appear unchanged since the time of Portola's visit. Look up to the left on the hillside. There you will see a steep single track trail that leads to a small plateau. Watch out for poison oak! Climb up to the top. Turn and face the magnificent ocean. You may see some kite surfers on a windy day. Next to your left foot, nestled in the thicket, under some branches is the SKY TO THE SEA LETTERBOX.

2nd Box: HORSE CAMP - Mile 0.3
Follow the paved road, which borders the Theodore S. Hoover Natural Preserve, a freshwater marsh that is a protected habitat for more than 150 species of birds. A seasonal ranger station (open on weekends) and horse camp are located beyond the marsh. Walk through the Horse Camp to the end. There you will find an old tree that looks like it has been pecked to death. On the backside at the base of the tree is the HORSE CAMP LETTERBOX covered with pinecones.

3rd Box: ROUTE ONE FARM - Mile 0.8
Continue on the dirt fire road through beautiful organic farmland. Organic practices are carefully selected with the intent to restore and then maintain ecological harmony on the farm and its surrounding environment. Tidy rows of perfect plants line serpentine hillside terraces. Hawks circle overhead, and the ocean air adds lovely freshness. Approach the first bridge crossing Waddell Creek. Streamside vegetation includes sycamore, alder, and maple trees. Peek under the Bridge on the right. The ROUTE ONE FARM LETTERBOX lies tucked away under a chunk of moss covered redwood bark.

4th Box: PICNIC - Mile 3.2
Follow the dirt fire road until you reach the Ford, creek crossing. Cross Waddell Creek using the Ford or the bridge. Hikers and bikers can take the single-track trail that leads to the bridge crossing. Cross the creek, a single-track trail on the right heads toward the east fork of Waddell Creek. William Waddell established a lumber mill at the confluence of the east and west forks of Waddell Creek in 1862. Take the trail to a nice picnic spot next to the creek. This is a warm sunny meadow in the afternoon. To the left is a trail that leads into the forest. From the entrance to the forest take 10 paces forward, turn to the right and take 10 more paces, turn to the right again and take 10 more paces. There are two tree stumps. Inside the smaller stump covered with branches is the PICNIC LETTERBOX.

5th Box: BIKE LOCK - Mile 5.5
Follow the fire road along West Waddell Creek, occasionally crossing over and back. The dirt road becomes narrower, then before Camp Herbert, it disappears, becoming a narrow trail but still passable by bicycles and sure-footed horses. About a half-mile from the falls, the fire road ends at a washed out bridge, bikes and horses are not permitted further on Skyline to the Sea. A hitching post is available to tie up your horse or lock your bike. 20 paces forward from the hitching post turn left at a pile of rocks. 10 paces up the hill past a redwood outcropping a downed redwood lays on a rock. Under the tree covered with bark is the BIKE LOCK LETTERBOX.
Continue a half-mile to breathtaking Berry Creek Falls…