Tafoni Trail and Sandstone Formation
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve, near Skeggs Point Parking Lot, 15463 Rte. 35 (Skyline), Redwood City, CA 94062
Starting Point: The trailhead for Tafoni Trail and the return loop Fir Trail is a short walk north and across the road from the Skeggs Point parking lot on Skyline (Rte. 35), 1.2 miles north of the El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve Parking Lot.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve info (with downloadable map) link (Midpeninsula Regional Open Space):
https://www.openspace.org/preserves/el-corte-de-madera-creek
El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve parking info link (Midpeninsula Regional Open Space):
https://www.openspace.org/preserves/el-corte-de-madera-creek#parking
Tafoni sandstone formation video information link (Midpeninsula Regional Open Space):
https://www.openspace.org/stories/tafoni-trails-and-tunes
Distance:
It’s a 0.1 mile walk up and across Skyline from the Skeggs Point parking lot to the trailhead for the Tafoni sandstone formation. It’s 1 mile on the Tafoni trail to the intersection with trail connection signs. From there is 0.2 miles to the sandstone formation. After walking the 0.2 miles back to the trail junction, we took the Fir Trail for 0.9 miles back to the trailhead, and then 0.1 to Skeggs Point parking for a total of 2.5 miles.
Considerations:
• Parking lots in the El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve area can get full, especially on weekends.
• Toilet facilities are not available at the Skeggs Point parking lot, but there are toilet facilities a 1.2 mile drive south at the larger El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve parking lot.
• Traffic is fast on Skyline, and the Skeggs Point parking lot is on a curve. Use caution when crossing Skyline to the trailhead.
• Climbing is not allowed on the Tafoni sandstone formation due to its delicate structure. (A sturdier sandstone structure in Castle Rock State Park does allow climbing.)
• Avoid contact with poison oak. Having a poison oak scrub like Tecnu handy is a good idea.
• Pay attention to health, safety and wildlife signs (mountain lion habitat).
The trail:
The Skeggs Point parking lot on Skyline (Rte. 35) is on the east side of the road, on a curve, and is a short walk up and across the road from the trailhead for the Tafoni Trail and Fir Trail. Those who want to use toilet facilities before or after hiking need to make a stop 1.2 miles further south at the larger El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve parking lot, since there are no toilet facilities at the Skeggs Point lot.
Use caution crossing Skyline to get to the trailhead as traffic goes fast and this lot and trailhead are located on a curve. Once across the road, there are some informational signs at the start of the trail. We chose a loop hike, going in on the Tafoni Trail and returning by the Fir Trail.
The Tafoni Trail heading to the sandstone formation is a mixed forest path including redwoods, moss covered stumps, and lots of shade due to the tree cover. Even in midday, the sun fighting its way down to the trail through the trees makes for a moody, woodsy atmosphere.
The path is relatively smooth, with only moderate rises and falls, until the slightly steeper descent for the short 0.2 mile walk down to the sandstone formation.
When you’ve reached the main trail junction with trail markers, follow the trail signs to the sandstone formation. Hikers pass through a fence opening to get onto the short, twisting trail down to the sandstone. A wooden fence adds charm to this stretch and gives a heads up that hikers are close to the destination. A sharp turn reorients visitors toward a wooden observation deck under the Tafoni rock formation.
The rock patterns looked like something from a science fiction story to me. Informational signs explain the scientific process of how these fascinating and unusual rock patterns were formed. Sandstone is less sturdy than other types of rock, and the beautiful lace-like patterns formed here mean that some of the structure is delicate, so visitors are not allowed onto the formation itself. Those who wish to climb on a similar sandstone formation can visit Castle Rock State Park further south.
After the 0.2 mile return ascent to the trail junction, we found the sign for the Fir Trail to make our way back to the trailhead, another 0.9 miles.
The Fir Trail is less densely covered by trees, and even has an open meadow spot along the way. There’s more sunshine along this stretch, but it is still a pretty tree-lined trail. Once back to the trailhead, we were careful again to cross Skyline safely back to the Skeggs Point parking lot.
(Tafoni Trail and Sandstone Formation Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Enigmatic Patterns” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve, near Skeggs Point Parking Lot, 15463 Rte. 35 (Skyline), Redwood City, CA 94062
Starting Point: The trailhead for Tafoni Trail and the return loop Fir Trail is a short walk north and across the road from the Skeggs Point parking lot on Skyline (Rte. 35), 1.2 miles north of the El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve Parking Lot.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve info (with downloadable map) link (Midpeninsula Regional Open Space):
https://www.openspace.org/preserves/el-corte-de-madera-creek
El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve parking info link (Midpeninsula Regional Open Space):
https://www.openspace.org/preserves/el-corte-de-madera-creek#parking
Tafoni sandstone formation video information link (Midpeninsula Regional Open Space):
https://www.openspace.org/stories/tafoni-trails-and-tunes
Distance:
It’s a 0.1 mile walk up and across Skyline from the Skeggs Point parking lot to the trailhead for the Tafoni sandstone formation. It’s 1 mile on the Tafoni trail to the intersection with trail connection signs. From there is 0.2 miles to the sandstone formation. After walking the 0.2 miles back to the trail junction, we took the Fir Trail for 0.9 miles back to the trailhead, and then 0.1 to Skeggs Point parking for a total of 2.5 miles.
Considerations:
• Parking lots in the El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve area can get full, especially on weekends.
• Toilet facilities are not available at the Skeggs Point parking lot, but there are toilet facilities a 1.2 mile drive south at the larger El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve parking lot.
• Traffic is fast on Skyline, and the Skeggs Point parking lot is on a curve. Use caution when crossing Skyline to the trailhead.
• Climbing is not allowed on the Tafoni sandstone formation due to its delicate structure. (A sturdier sandstone structure in Castle Rock State Park does allow climbing.)
• Avoid contact with poison oak. Having a poison oak scrub like Tecnu handy is a good idea.
• Pay attention to health, safety and wildlife signs (mountain lion habitat).
The trail:
The Skeggs Point parking lot on Skyline (Rte. 35) is on the east side of the road, on a curve, and is a short walk up and across the road from the trailhead for the Tafoni Trail and Fir Trail. Those who want to use toilet facilities before or after hiking need to make a stop 1.2 miles further south at the larger El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve parking lot, since there are no toilet facilities at the Skeggs Point lot.
Use caution crossing Skyline to get to the trailhead as traffic goes fast and this lot and trailhead are located on a curve. Once across the road, there are some informational signs at the start of the trail. We chose a loop hike, going in on the Tafoni Trail and returning by the Fir Trail.
The Tafoni Trail heading to the sandstone formation is a mixed forest path including redwoods, moss covered stumps, and lots of shade due to the tree cover. Even in midday, the sun fighting its way down to the trail through the trees makes for a moody, woodsy atmosphere.
The path is relatively smooth, with only moderate rises and falls, until the slightly steeper descent for the short 0.2 mile walk down to the sandstone formation.
When you’ve reached the main trail junction with trail markers, follow the trail signs to the sandstone formation. Hikers pass through a fence opening to get onto the short, twisting trail down to the sandstone. A wooden fence adds charm to this stretch and gives a heads up that hikers are close to the destination. A sharp turn reorients visitors toward a wooden observation deck under the Tafoni rock formation.
The rock patterns looked like something from a science fiction story to me. Informational signs explain the scientific process of how these fascinating and unusual rock patterns were formed. Sandstone is less sturdy than other types of rock, and the beautiful lace-like patterns formed here mean that some of the structure is delicate, so visitors are not allowed onto the formation itself. Those who wish to climb on a similar sandstone formation can visit Castle Rock State Park further south.
After the 0.2 mile return ascent to the trail junction, we found the sign for the Fir Trail to make our way back to the trailhead, another 0.9 miles.
The Fir Trail is less densely covered by trees, and even has an open meadow spot along the way. There’s more sunshine along this stretch, but it is still a pretty tree-lined trail. Once back to the trailhead, we were careful again to cross Skyline safely back to the Skeggs Point parking lot.
(Tafoni Trail and Sandstone Formation Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Enigmatic Patterns” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
