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Natural Monuments

North Trail — Salt Point State Park

Natural Monuments

North Trail — Salt Point State Park

Highlight (Segment) • Forest

North Trail — Salt Point State Park

Name: North Trail — Salt Point State Park
Rating: 2

Recommended by 1 hikers

This Highlight goes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Salt Point State Park

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Location: Sonoma County, California, United States

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Best Hiking Routes to North Trail — Salt Point State Park

4.3

(3)

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1. Salt Point Rock Formations – Stump Beach - Bluff Trail loop from Sea Ranch

13.1km

03:49

360m

370m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

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2. Salt Point Rock Formations – Gerstle Cove Marine Reserve loop from Sea Ranch

12.7km

03:42

330m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

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3. South Trail – Prairie loop from Sea Ranch

7.03km

02:06

220m

230m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

🕊️ 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓

May 5, 2025

This is a key segment of one of Salt Point State Park's world wonders: a pygmy forest. The Bishop and Bolander pines, Mendocino cypresses, and redwoods here are fully mature (and in some cases, more than a century old), but at only a few feet tall, are uniquely miniature.
These trees’ stunted growth is caused by an inhospitable combo of highly-acidic, nutrient-free soil and a below-surface hardpan layer that blocks soil drainage and prevents the trees from setting the deep roots they need to thrive.
The 3.8-mile, two-hour loop of the Pygmy Forest Trail takes you through a mixed evergreen forest, a grassy prairie surrounded by pines, and lots of mushrooms and wildflowers (in season) before you reach pygmy tree territory.
Start out on Central Trail, located near the ranger station. You’ll pass madrone, Douglas fir, tan oaks, and eucalyptus as you ascend steadily upward. The occasional interpretive signs are interesting, describing various plants and the way they were used by the area’s first residents, the Kashaya Pomo.
After you’ve walked about one-and-a-half miles you’ll come to an intersection; turn left onto this North Trail, which brings you through the pygmy forest. Turn left again at the Water Tank Trail; it’s short, less than a quarter mile, at which time you rejoin the Central Trail by turning right. This brings you back to the ranger station parks.ca.gov/?page_id=453

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Details

Informations

Distance 1.48 km

Uphill 10 m

Downhill 80 m

Weather

Today

Friday 7 November

17°C

11°C

27 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 4.0 km/h

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Sonoma County, California, United States

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Pygmy forest

North Trail

Stump Beach Trail

Stump Beach

North Trail — Salt Point State Park

1. Salt Point Rock Formations – Stump Beach - Bluff Trail loop from Sea Ranch

2. Salt Point Rock Formations – Gerstle Cove Marine Reserve loop from Sea Ranch

3. South Trail – Prairie loop from Sea Ranch

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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