Cupertino to the Sea
Brief trip report

A 40+ mile hike from the edge of Cupertino to the Sea in Big basin. 

We did it in 4 days.  Our route started at Steven's creek county park and went up Steven's creek canyon to the Black mountain backpacking camp.  Our second day through long ridge and down to the backpack camp in Portola State Park.  The next leg to the Sunrise camp in Big basin (a long day).  And the final day past Berry Falls to the sea.  Although it is possible to catch a bus back from the coast (via several connectors), we had friends pick us up and return us to our truck in Cupertino.  Camping fees are $4 (MPROSP) + $5 (Portola SP) + $5 (Big Basin SP) = $14.

About 90% of the route is through wild and scenic areas, many of them were spectacular.  You go up 3 high ridges (over 2).  We saw over 100 species of wildflowers, 2 western rattlesnakes, a very friendly coyote, a turtle, a great blue heron, some baby coots, 11 species of ferns, and an unusual 12" long lizard, later identified as a California Whiptail.

We started on Thursday and had the Black Mountain and Portola camps to ourselves.  It was gusty at Black Mt. camp which is pretty tipical of this camp. Also it was totally dark and silent at the Portola backpack camp which was a real treat.

(FYI, Lane Backpacker camp in Big basin has been pretty much destroyed by pigs.  Looks like a roto-tiller has gone through it.  Even the trail is badly damaged.) One surprise for us was that there is a public dirt road which passes very near Lane camp.

(We took a camera and hope to have a few photos, but it was a daylight only camera and much of the trip was overcast or shaded by forests so we only will get a few photos from this trip.  If you want more info write to me using the feedback button my main backpacking page.)

-- Howard, May 2002