Crystal-clear waterfall (Unsplash).jpg
Wilson Ye wilsonye123 · CC0

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

0 mi942 – 2,126 ft · steepest grade: 18%8.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Shadowbrook Trail 37.18256, -122.21024
Nearest town San Lorenzo Park, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

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

  1. Start on Shadowbrook Trail, heading SW.
  2. 50 ftContinue straight onto Sequoia Trail, heading SW.
  3. 150 ftPass Sempervirens Falls.
  4. 1.6 miPass Leonard Redwood Grove.
  5. 350 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  6. 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
  7. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  8. 50 ftTurn right onto Skyline To The Sea Trail, heading NW.
  9. 0.1 miSharp left onto SttS/Hihn Connector Trail, heading S.
  10. 0.9 miSharp right onto Pine Mountain Trail, heading E.
  11. 1.1 miSharp left, heading NW.
  12. 450 ftReach Buzzards Roost, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  13. 1.2 miSharp left onto Pine Mountain Road, heading W.
  14. 0.9 miContinue straight onto SttS/Hihn Connector Trail, heading NE.
  15. 100 ftSharp right onto Skyline To The Sea Trail, heading NE.
  16. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NW.
  17. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  18. 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
  19. 50 ftTurn left onto Redwood Trail, heading W.
  20. 1.6 miContinue straight onto Sequoia Trail, heading N.
  21. 150 ftContinue straight onto Shadowbrook Trail, heading N.
  22. 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

1% paved1% dirt98% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 88°F57°
Precip0%Wind6 mphUV8Humidity40%
Hourly temperature
90°55°
Sunrise 6:16 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:15 PM
Tue 84°57°
Wed 82°52°
Thu 83°53°
Fri 92°63°
Sat 88°58°
Sun 80°52°

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.

More sunset hikes nearby

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