Susan Creek empties into to North Umpqua
River, which I was lucky to live on for a
couple of years. The North Umpqua trail runs
along the river and is how you can get to Susan
Creek.
Beautiful place.
Posted on 03/29/2022 10:49:24 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Editor’s note: Whether the rain that the last 24 hours was enough to pump up local creeks and waterfalls is unclear. InMenlo weather watcher Dennis Nugent’s digital rain gauge measured 0.40″ between yesterday and today though 1:30 pm. That brings the year-to-date to 13.88″
Here’s a list of places to explore in Midpeninsula Regional Open Space preserves when the water is flowing:
Stevens Creek Nature Trail, Monte Bello Preserve
Check out Midpen’s guide, including photos and video clips, to enjoying the Stevens Creek Nature Trail in the rainy season on a 3-mile loop hike.
Crazy Pete’s Waterfall, Coal Creek Preserve
This 3-mile out-and-back hike takes you to a small but beautiful waterfall on Crazy Pete’s Road (trail), which is dog-friendly (on leash). Our partners at the Peninsula Open Space Trust offer details of the hike here.
Purisima Creek and Harkins Bridge, Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve
The Purisima Creek Trail provides many opportunities to stop and enjoy rushing waters flowing over and around rocks and logs through a magical redwood forest. Harkins Bridge at the bottom of the Purisima Creek Trail, where it connects to Harkins Ridge and Whittemore Gulch trails, has a steel cable railing that makes it easy to see down to the water, even for little kids.
Webb Creek Bridge and stream crossings, Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve
The Webb Creek Bridge, located a couple miles up the Alma Trail, is a great place to stop and admire and listen to the creek flowing under a canopy of redwoods. If you continue past junction #03 onto the aptly named Redwood Springs Trail, there are a few spots in the first half mile where you will come across streams flowing from the springs in the hillside.
Dennis Martin Creek, Thornewood Preserve
With enough rain, Dennis Martin Creek, running down from Schilling Lake along the Bridle Trail, features small waterfalls and pools, some created from remnants of historic logging operations.
Guadalupe Creek Cascade, Sierra Azul Preserve
After strong rains you can see the water of Guadalupe Creek cascading down the rocks at the Guadalupe Creek Overlook, located 2.2 miles from the top of the Mount Umunhum Trail.
Virginia Mill Trail, El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve
This is not an easy hike but if you make the journey along the Virginia Mill Trail down to the large bridge over El Corte de Madera Creek after lots or rain, you will discover big flows through log jams and moss-covered boulders. Although the forest is second-growth, this spot will give you the feeling of being deep in a primordial forest. Note that there is no off-trail use in this preserve and the closest parking is a pullout at gate CM08.
A few honorable mentions:
– Los Trancos Creek on the Lost Creek Trail, Los Trancos Preserve
– Old Page Mill Trail and Lambert Creek Trail, Skyline Ridge Preserve
– Corte Madera Creek and Hamms Gulch on the Hamms Gulch Trail, Windy Hill Preserve
Check the trail conditions for closures or maintenance updates before heading out. Be prepared for muddy and cool conditions; dress appropriately. Streams and ponds are habitat for many wild creatures. To help protect them, and for your own safety, swimming, wading and other water activities are not allowed in Midpen preserves.
Remember to be UP CREEK from San Francisco, not DOWN CREEK.
South of San Francisco.
We had a lot of rain yesterday and it makes the wildflowers so much better. Spring time in California is the best. Not enough rain to have the creek by my house run but Lord how beautiful things look.
And pack heat.
I really liked
Uvas Waterfall Loop south of Morgan Hill
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/uvas-canyon-short-waterfall-loop
Alum rock park used to have a waterfall. Haven’t been there in decades.
I’ve never been there, but it could be even better hiking there now. From that park, you can now hike into Sierra Vista Open Space above it.
hikers= Uber food for mountain lions
The best waterfall hike that I know of is the Foothills Trail near Greenville SC. It is 40-some waterfalls over 76 miles of trail. Stunning hike.
Susan Creek empties into to North Umpqua
River, which I was lucky to live on for a
couple of years. The North Umpqua trail runs
along the river and is how you can get to Susan
Creek.
Beautiful place.
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