Soberanes Canyon-Rocky Ridge Loop, Garrapata State Park

This is one of my favorite hikes in the extended Bay area. Just south of Carmel, this is a nice outing for the intermediate hiker. There are signs marking Garrapata State Park before the trailhead but there is no formal entrance or anything like that. Incidentally, Garrapata means something like wood tick in Spanish. The trailhead is at a turnout on a curving part of Highway 1 about 10 miles south of Carmel. Look for a gate on the left side. We had decided to take the Soberanes creek- Rocky Ridge loop trail. That makes it a 7 miles loop with a 1,850-foot elevation gain – certainly not a candidate for an introduction to hiking.

Old barn and flowers at the trailhead

Ladies and flowers

The initial part is quite level as it follows the Soberanes creek in Soberanes canyon. This is a nice, Redwood lined canyon and it was very pleasant hiking this part of the trail. There are a few sandy spots where one could have a nice picnic. Eventually, the trail starts climbing above the creek. Soon you reach a fork in the trail – the left joins the Rocky Ridge trail while the mail trail continues ahead. Now the fun begins. It’s a (really) steep climb out of the canyon – we were soon huffing and puffing. We also got lucky – it turned out to be the peak wildflower season. The flower displays were great. Check out the photos!

After about a mile of one of the steepest climbs we had done till then, we came into a small hidden valley. This stretch and the accompanying flower displays gave us some respite from the plodding we had done to get there. After another short (but now torturous) uphill climb, we crested the ridge. Another fork in the trail goes left to a view point overlooking Highway 1 and the Pacific Ocean – though we later learnt that this part of the trail is considered off-trail and walking here is discouraged by the trail volunteers.

Hidden valley just after the uphill climb out of Soberanes Canyon

Nearing the ridge top

Flowers everywhere!

khana-peena at the ridge top

After grabbing lunch on the leeward side of the ridge, we started down back to the trail head. You get expansive views in all directions from the ridge, especially of the back country. Till then, I had not known how rugged these hills really are. From the ridge, it is a steep descent back to the trail head. Along the way, there is a bench overlooking the ocean – a nice spot to sit and do nothing.

More flowers!

This is why we hike!!

While this hike is not for beginners, I really like it. It gives you the feeling of having done a good hike. We also got lucky with the wildflower displays. All in all, a totally recommended hike. Check out photos from the other time we did this hike here.