Enjoy a peaceful, but sometimes strenuous hike in the Santa Cruz mountains in the Loch Lomond Recreation Area. This 4 mile loop hike has a heart pumping climb and features lakeside hiking and surrounded by redwoods, oaks and madrones. This loop was done tackling the uphill portion first.
Hike features - Well maintained and marked (in most cases) trails. Good canopy coverage even on the long and wide Highlad Trail. Lots of new growth redwood trees and "knobcone pine environments". Solitude, leafy and loamy trails, lakeside views and hiking in and out of peaceful coves. Unusual sight of cormorants in a fresh water lake, egrets, ducks. Coyotes and foxes are in the area (but I didn't see any).
Very good hike and well worth the windy drive.
TO TRAILHEAD: From San Francisco, US-101 S, CA-85 S (exit 398B), CA-17 S towards Santa Cruz, exit Mt. Hermon Road, R on Mt. Hermon Rd, L on Graham Hill Rd, L on E Zayante Rd, L on Lompico Rd, L on West Dr, follow signs to Loch Lomond. Nominal entry fee charged per vehicle.
Position Format:
Datum:
Tracks
Highland Loop
Distance: 3.92 mi
Points: 90
Calories: none
Total Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
Points of Interest
HLL009
Location: 37.122120, -122.054787
Nice Vista of Loch Lomand below to the west. Continue on service road in a mix of exposed and covered section. Several small ups and downs.
HLL001
Location: 37.110790, -122.064636
Trailhead. Begin at one of the two parking lots for the Loch View Picnic Area. If parked in the lower lot, head up 100 on Loch Lomand Way to the upper picnic area. Cormorants hang out here near the peer here. Unusual sight for a fresh water lake.
HLL017
Location: 37.116688, -122.060120
Stay R at unmarked trail junction.
HLL016
Location: 37.117355, -122.059738
R @ Y. Stay to the lake side. There are a couple of unmarked trail junctions in this area. After talking with a ranger he said they rerouted the trail utilizing the "fisherman" trails, but have not put up any markers yet.
HLL015
Location: 37.117706, -122.059738
R @ Y. Stay on Loch Trail around Fir Cove.
HLL003
Location: 37.110992, -122.062752
R across foot bridge. Continue on Gilchrist trail. More redwoods and madrone and oak and climbing. Trail is still loamy and covered with some switchbacks as you climb.
HLL012
Location: 37.120354, -122.059517
R @ Y on Loch Trail. Continue to follow the shoreline of the lake.
HLL014
Location: 37.119488, -122.060883
R @ Y. Remain on Loch Trail.
HLL018
Location: 37.112007, -122.063309
Arrive at Loch View Picnic area, stay right and pick up the trail through the picnic area along the water. Follow the trail to the trailhead. Check out Clar Innis island.
HLL006
Location: 37.112415, -122.059105
R @ Y to Big Trees Trail. New growth redwoods at the head of the trail.
HLL004
Location: 37.111053, -122.061577
R @ Y at sign post past the Glen Brae Picnic Area. Trail continues to climb.
HLL002
Location: 37.110729, -122.063278
R at Gilchrist Trail Trailhead (the second wooden foot bridge on the right). Cross bridge and head up the Gilchirst Trail under a heavy canopy of oak and madrone trees interspersed with new growth coastal redwood trees. The leaf covered dirt trail is well maintained.
HLL011
Location: 37.125195, -122.059921
L @ Deer Flat Picnic Area. Arrive at Deer Flat (boat in) Picnic area, enjoy the vies of the lake and watch for egrets along the shore. Pick up trail at marker left of the Picnic area.
HLL013
Location: 37.120068, -122.059891
Cross Creek and head up wooden steps out of Huckelberry Cove. Note: each cove and along the shore are numerous "fisherman" trails. Some, like this one at Huckleberry cove appears to be a legitimate trail, but just ends at the lake.
HLL008
Location: 37.111828, -122.056953
L @ 3-way onto Highland Trail. The Highland Trail is a service road however, unlike many service roads, it is not gravel and maintains the "trail" feel, even though it is a wide trail! More significant elevation gain for the next .75 miles.
HLL007
Location: 37.111870, -122.058578
L @ 3-way on Big Trees Trail. More heavy canopy and climbing.
HLL010
Location: 37.126881, -122.050644
L @ Y. Start descent towards lake and back under a heavier canopy.
HLL005
Location: 37.111893, -122.059471
Cross Loch Lomand Way and pick up trail on other side at the Glen Corrie Picnic area. The trail heads to the right towards the Big Trees Trail.
Loch Lomond Vista
Location: 37.121899, -122.054695
MacGregor Cove
Location: 37.114372, -122.061447
Clar Innis Island seen from the shores of MacGregor Cove
Lakeside Trail
Location: 37.116310, -122.060516
The trail can't get much closer to the lake.
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