GREEN TRAIL PART ONE
Let’s just say that the green trail is long. Long enough that it is going to be broken down into two separate articles. I was able to hike half of the trail with the trusty help of my sons Flynn and Declan. We started at the equestrian center and followed the trail to Drake Road which we then walked along to Stevenson Road. While on Drake Road Flynn and I had a nice chat with Bruce (I hope I remembered the name correctly) a neighbor who knows and enjoys the trails on his horse. Once you cross Stevenson you want to walk across the middle of the dirt lot where the cars are parked and look for the green trail marker. Look on the east side of Forest Lake Road and you will find the trail marker where the green trail really starts in.
The trail itself goes up between houses on a portion called “The Steps” because of the railroad ties embedded into the ground to help with the climb. Take “The Steps” all the way up to Viscaino Road where you will take a right as it veers along Poppy Hills Golf course. Near Spruance and Rhonda Road you will see the trail marker that will take you in a southeasterly direction. Follow this and you will come across a couple of nice meadows. In one of the meadows you will see a trail that goes off to the right through the meadow which I believe will lead you down to the Carmel Gate and is an orange connector trail. We stayed straight at this point and started a bit downward until we came to Midwood Lane where you will find a trail marker on the side of the road.
This portion of the trail takes you through Pescadero Canyon and is very woodsy and there was quite of bit of poison oak off trail. I had my older son, Declan, with me on this hike as Flynn is a bit young to make it this far. The trail does go a bit uphill and we had to pause to catch our breath and take a drink of water. It was here that we saw a few lizards, a few deer, and an owl that was being harassed by about 5 crows. I forgot to mention that when Flynn and I started our hike at the equestrian center we immediately came across 4 bucks in the woods which was quite a sight. A bit disconcerting as even though they look majestic and cute, they are wild animals with sharps horns. We gave them their space and respect and they did the same to us.
Once through Pescadero Canyon and a bit more uphill hiking you will come to Sunridge Road at which point look across the road for the green trail marker to point you in the right direction. This will take you past the Pebble Beach Corporate yard and here is where you can lose the trail if not careful. Take the road into the corporate yard and take the fire lane to the left. Here you will pass a tiny pond full of tadpoles. Stay on fire lane #4 until you come to another green trail marker which will lead you through Sawmill Gulch. Sawmill Gulch is very pretty and has an almost jungle feel to it. It will ultimately lead to Congress Road and this is where the first part ends.
Remember to bring your map (you will need it on this one), water, cell phone and a jacket in case the foggy mist rolls in. If anyone is interested in going on any hikes feel free to contact me at Patrick.ryan@sothebyshomes.com ….Cheers!
Comments(0)