Fall Creek Unit

"Beautiful hike. Highly recommended for families . The trial is easy and short . The view was great the whole entire time. It’s well shaded."

"We hiked the loop up Fall Creek Trail, then to Big Ben Tree, then back down the Lost Empire Trail to the Lime Kilns area. This was about 8 miles with steady elevation changes in about 3 hours. Trail was wide and easy to follow. Two or three tree falls across the trail. Minor water crossings. Did this in mid November afternoon, so it was quite cool and dark in areas with no direct sunlight for the whole trail."

"By far the most beautiful hiking Ive ever done.. and I hike a lot! Did a 9-10 mile loop taking Fall Creek up a long gradual climb along the creek. You barely notice how much elevation youve gained because its gradual and tons of waterscape scenery. Then took Big Ben which is a well maintained trail but certainly a good climb! After seeing the Big Ben Tree, cut down Lost Empire trail back to eventually connect back up to Fall River and back to the parking lot. Lost Empire is a really beautiful trail sans all the waterscapes. Nice change of scenery. Went on a fall morning starting off in the 40s and lots of mist ans drizzle. Got to the low 50s. Wore running shorts and a sweater. Totally fine. Highly recommend this loop. Its is so picturesque. Access to this side is free and there's free parking there too. Carried a 3 liter water bladder and barely use half. Can totally get water from the Fall Creek for the entire first 4 to 5 miles up. I pulled out my water purifier and the creek water was just as good as Evian. I could have carried so much less water knowing the creek was there."

"One of my favorite places to hike, I have been going here almost 30 years now. Fall Creek is one of the more beautiful creeks in the Santa Cruz Mountains to me because most of the rocks in the Creek are granite so there are many small waterfalls as you walk next to the Creek, similar to what you will find up in the Sierra Nevada. My favorite hike is the hike up to the Big Ben Tree on the Lost Empire Trail it really is one of the best hikes in the whole Santa Cruz Mountains IMO because it has a little history to it, you pass the old Lime Kiln area then you pass a old logging camp, it's a little steep so you get a nice workout and most of all there are really nice old growth Redwoods at the end of the trail! I continue on back to Fall Creek to make it a very nice loop trail."

"California was just declared out of drought statewide. With so much water, lots of new plants. White water creek flowing constantly. Most of this trail follows the creek banks. Beautiful and fresh. The trails we hiked are Fall Creek to Big Ben to Lost Empire then back to Fall Creek. Good condition trails. Lots of redwood and coastal oak. So much water so can get wet crossing the creek a few times. Historic limestone kilns is an attraction of the trail as well."