Back to Wilder Ranch to Walk the Bluffs

August 20, 2017
Santa Cruz, CA
Hikers: Cathy, Laura, Noreen, Dawn
Distance: 7.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 240 ft.
 


An incredible walk along the bluffs. We saw snakes, bunnies, quail, harbor seals, seagulls, pelicans and frogs. Yep, an amazing day to say the least.

Our plan was to walk down to Four Mile Beach to get an eight mile walk in. However, this was not the case. Our assumption that Three & Four Mile Beach were named for how far they were from the parking lot was wrong. We only went as far as Three Mile Beach. The beaches are aptly named for how far they are from the western end of Santa Cruz.



 


The only bench . . .  in the very beginning of the walk.













Pelicans!




Bunny hiding in the brambles.

No fishing.

What? I'm not fishing . . . 




Making our way to Fern Grotto Beach. 









It pays to look up . . . 



















Cormorants. 


Harbor seals!!!















Leeks.



























An ampersand - ha ha .


Making our way to Strawberry Beach.



Yes, there actually is a trail here.










Love finding the perfect break spot!






All that black . . .  bugs!

And if you go near them, they swarm you. Trust me. Yuck!!









"Open Sesame"

This means you, Goat!!



Brussels sprouts.









Brussels sprouts as far as the eye can see.








Trails:
Old Cove Landing Trail, Ohlone Bluff Trail, Rail Road Tracks.