Buzzards Roost–Sempervirens Falls, 6 sights is a 7.9-mile out-and-back in Big Basin Redwoods State Park near San Lorenzo Park, CA. The route passes Sempervirens Falls and Leonard Redwood Grove before reaching Buzzards Roost at the turnaround, 4 miles in. It climbs 1,421 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade. It scores 67/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Buzzards Roost–Sempervirens Falls, 6 sights
7.9 mi · ▲ 1,421 ft · 3 hr 21 min
Elevation 941–2,127 ft
Out & Back · Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Trailhead: Shadowbrook Trail · 37.18256, -122.21024
Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 88°F / low 57° · precip 0% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:15 PM
No dogs on part of this route · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Shadowbrook Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Sequoia Trail, heading SW.
- 150 ftPass Sempervirens Falls.
- 1.6 miPass Leonard Redwood Grove.
- 350 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Skyline To The Sea Trail, heading NW.
- 0.1 miSharp left onto SttS/Hihn Connector Trail, heading S.
- 0.9 miSharp right onto Pine Mountain Trail, heading E.
- 1.1 miSharp left, heading NW.
- 450 ftReach Buzzards Roost, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.2 miSharp left onto Pine Mountain Road, heading W.
- 0.9 miContinue straight onto SttS/Hihn Connector Trail, heading NE.
- 100 ftSharp right onto Skyline To The Sea Trail, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Redwood Trail, heading W.
- 1.6 miContinue straight onto Sequoia Trail, heading N.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Shadowbrook Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.7 mi in (~118 min). Leave by 5:58 PM for the 8:15 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- No dogs on part of this route
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Shadowbrook Trail Trailhead
- Sequoia Trail 2.4 mi · ▲ 497 ft
- Sempervirens Falls–Leonard Redwood Grove, 6 sights 3.6 mi · ▲ 204 ft
- East Ridge Road & Eastridge Connector Trail via Shadowbrook Trail 3.8 mi · ▲ 1,029 ft
- Sempervirens Falls–Leonard Redwood Grove, 6 sights 6.9 mi · ▲ 1,012 ft
- Vallco Fashion Park Redwood Grove–East Ridge Trail, 4 sights 16 mi · ▲ 2,617 ft
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Hikes near San Lorenzo Park, California