West Ridge Trail to Aptos Creek Fire Road
(12 miles, +2400/-2400 feet).

My buddy MixMaster recently moved to NorCal, so I went up to see him and his family after they got settled in. And of course we had to hike! He showed me a nice loop in Nisene Marks State Park. It was so different than SoCal!

It’s a pretty hike through dark woods and we had a cool foggy morning.

On the way up was trail, but the way down was a fire road where we could walk side by side for easier conversation. Both were nice!

My favorite part of the day was our two banana slug sitings!

And on the gentle descent we were greeted by wildflowers shortly before returning to the car.