[Journal entry for December 23, 2014; Castle Rock State Park, near Los Altos, California]. This park, at the crest of the Coast Range, is known for its spectacular rock formations, including the aptly named Castle Rock. They are composed of sandstone with large – sometimes room-sized tafoni (cavities) – formed where pods of softer shale have weathered out. I parked off Skyline Drive (Route 35) at Sanborn County Park, across the highway from the State Park entrance, for the parking is free there. I walked the Castle Rock Trail to a rock formation that extended down the hillside. Being below the canopy of trees, it is covered with thick green moss that glows where the sun’s rays reach it. I circled the formation, admiring the tafoni and small caves on its downhill side. I then continue along the trail to Castle Rock, itself.

This Rock is in a clearing, lit up by the morning sun - a tan monument perhaps fifty feet tall and a hundred wide. Its rock faces are full of tafoni, some making small caves. I circle it twice, peering into to the caves and cavities and walking under overhanging ledges. I then continue on the Castle Rock Trail, which descend into the valley of Kings Creek and joins the Saratoga Gap Trail.

I take the Saratoga Gap Trail downhill along the creek, cross it, and then ascend the Ridge Trail up onto Goat Rock. This hill top has a series of sandstone hogbacks that just up from the vegetation. I have a hard time keeping to the trail as it switches up the flank of the hill, for many alternate informal trails crisscross the area. I meet a couple of climbers, Mike Jay and his son, who are also searching for the way up. Eventually we ask a couple of hikers who are on their way down; we have missed a sharp left turn by a rock face. A few minutes later we are at the top. We climb up onto the sandstone high point and stand at the precipice, gazing westward out over the hills and chatting about the outdoors. Mike recommends Mission Peak, on the east side of the Bay, as one of his favorite hikes in the area.

I spend a few minutes poking around the hilltop. Most of it is rounded, with fields and low woods of oaks; only the western edge has bare rocks. I wandered around this grove, named after Max D. and Mable B. Crittenden and spotted five of six Mule Deer, grazing under the trees and in nearby fields.

I continued on the Ridge Trail, taking it past the Saratoga Gap Trail intersection as far as Varian Peak. I bushwhacked to its summit and managed to find a few view points among this hill’s dense bushes and trees. I then backtracked and took the Saratoga Gap Trail back towards the park entrance. Part of this trail is cut into the side of Goat Rock, about halfway up, and commands a beautiful view of the rocks of that hillside and of the more distant part of the Coast Range. The afternoon was warm and sunny and the air felt wonderful.

The Saratoga Gap Trail eventually intersected Kings Creek by Castle Hill Falls, a high but narrow waterfall. I stood at the edge of the observation platform and stared down into the narrow gorge for a few minutes. I then continued on the trail, uphill, back to the main entrance.

About 4:30.