Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
Parking is outside the park gate on the shoulder across the highway from Waddell Beach or in the Waddell Beach parking lot.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
A sign marks the entrance to the trail. Keep in mind only campers with reservations and visitors with disabilities are permitted to drive into the small parking area inside the gate.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
Hoover Grove scenic area on the walk to the ranger the station.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
The ranger station, open limited hours, marks the starting point for the Skyline to the Sea Loop Trail.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
A vault toilet, water, interpretive sign, and self-pay station for campers are located at the ranger station and trailhead area.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
There are a few informational signs around the ranger station, but there are few once the trail begins.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
Though hikers can head onto the loop in either direction, heading up the main trail and returning on the bypass reserves much of the scenic singletrack for later.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
Hiking up the main Skyline to the Sea Trail initially follows a dirt road leading to a couple of private residences in the valley.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
The dirt road parallels a working farm.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
Once it passes the residences, the path stays wide and packed down. It also begins to pass through a much more scenic area.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
Redwood groves are only a few miles from the Pacific Ocean along the trail.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
A seasonal bridge helps hikers cross Waddell Creek.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
There are several areas near the crossing along Waddell Creek that make for nice stops along the hike.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
At an intersection with trails heading further into the park's interior.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
The bypass trail is singletrack with a lot more elevation variation, and it heads past stands of redwoods in the park's hills.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
Standing beside a coast redwood along the bypass trail.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
At its higher elevations the trail opens up to views across the valley, including this spot overlooking the coast.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
The is much more diversity in plantlife along the bypass trail.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
Singletrack past oak trees along the bypass trail.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
The bypass trail generally remains hard dirt, though there are some slippery spots along this trail.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
Completing the loop at the Skyline to the Sea Trail.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
07/18/2018
One benefit to hiking the bypass trail out and returning on the primary trail is that the trail maps list places of interest sequentially in that direction.