The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Sand Point Overlook–Aptos Rancho Trail, 5 sights
13.5 mi · ▲ 2,392 ft · 5 hr 42 min
Sand Point Overlook–Aptos Rancho Trail, 5 sights is a 13.5-mile out-and-back in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park near Monte Toyon, CA. The route reaches Sand Point Overlook at the turnaround, 6.7 miles in. It climbs 2,392 ft. It scores 71/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Sand Point Overlook–Aptos Rancho Trail, 5 sights
13.5 mi · ▲ 2,392 ft · 5 hr 42 min
Elevation 111–1,620 ft
Out & Back · The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Trailhead: Aptos Creek Road · 36.99041, -121.90639
Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:13 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 100 ftTurn right onto Aptos Rancho Trail, heading NW.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Aptos Creek Road, heading N.
- 250 ftBear right onto Aptos Rancho Trail, heading N.
- 200 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 50 ftBear left, heading N.
- 350 ftTurn left onto Aptos Creek Road, heading N.
- 0.4 miBear left onto West Ridge Trail, heading N.
- 4 miContinue straight onto Big Stump Gap Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear right onto West Ridge Trail, heading E.
- 1.3 miBear right onto Hinckley Basin Fire Road, heading E.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Aptos Creek Fire Road, heading E.
- 50 ftReach Sand Point Overlook, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Hinckley Basin Fire Road, heading NE.
- 0.4 miBear left onto West Ridge Trail, heading W.
- 1.3 miBear left onto Big Stump Gap Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto West Ridge Trail, heading SW.
- 4 miBear right onto Aptos Creek Road, heading SE.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Aptos Rancho Trail, heading SE.
- 350 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear right, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 200 ftBear left onto Aptos Creek Road, heading S.
- 200 ftContinue straight onto Aptos Rancho Trail, heading S.
- 0.4 miTurn left, heading S.
- 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 3.5 mi in (~108 min). Leave by 6:04 PM for the 8:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Aptos Creek Road Trailhead
- The Advocate Tree–Aptos Rancho Viewpoint Loop, 3 sights 1.3 mi · ▲ 227 ft
- Vienna Woods Trail 2 mi · ▲ 331 ft
- Aptos Creek Road & Aptos Rancho Trail 3.1 mi · ▲ 413 ft
- Aptos Creek Fire Road–Aptos Creek Road, 3 sights 5.9 mi · ▲ 549 ft
- Aptos Creek Road–Aptos Rancho Trail, 3 sights 7 mi · ▲ 976 ft
- Land of Medicine Buddha–6 mile trail loop, 3 sights 12.6 mi · ▲ 1,937 ft
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