Moore Creek Trail–UCSC Connector/Cave Gulch, 3 sights
5.1 mi · ▲ 687 ft · 2 hr 3 min
Moore Creek Trail–UCSC Connector/Cave Gulch, 3 sights is a 5.1-mile out-and-back in Wilder Ranch State Park near Allegro Heights, CA. It climbs 687 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade. It scores 10/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Moore Creek Trail–UCSC Connector/Cave Gulch, 3 sights
5.1 mi · ▲ 687 ft · 2 hr 3 min
Elevation 170–717 ft
Out & Back · Wilder Ranch State Park
Trailhead: East Meadow Trail · 36.97405, -122.06480
Weather Aug 3: Fog, high 68°F / low 54° · precip 0% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:14 PM
Transit-accessible: Western Drive & Meder Street stop 570 m from the trailhead
- Start on East Meadow Trail, heading W.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading N.
- 500 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto UCSC Connector/Cave Gulch, heading NW.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Wally World, heading NW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto UCSC Connector/Cave Gulch, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Long Meadow Trail, heading W.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Wally World, heading SE.
- 0.6 miSharp left onto UCSC Connector/Cave Gulch, heading SE.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading S.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading SW.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Prairie View Trail, heading S.
- 200 ftBear right, heading S.
- 300 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 100 ftBear left onto Moore Creek Trail, heading S.
- 0.6 miBear right onto East Meadow Trail, heading E.
- 200 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 2.1 mi in (~61 min). Leave by 6:53 PM for the 8:14 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Western Drive & Meder Street stop 570 m from the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from East Meadow Trail Trailhead
- Moore Creek Trail 2.3 mi · ▲ 300 ft
- The Triangle & Arboretum Pond via East Meadow Trail 2.8 mi · ▲ 108 ft
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