Sand Point Overlook–Big Slide Trail, 5 sights is a 15.5-mile out-and-back in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park near Monte Toyon, CA. The route reaches Sand Point Overlook. It climbs 2,453 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade. It scores 75/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Sand Point Overlook–Big Slide Trail, 5 sights
15.5 mi · ▲ 2,453 ft · 6 hr 24 min
Elevation 188–1,620 ft
Out & Back · The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Trailhead: Aptos Creek Road · 37.01439, -121.90538
Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:13 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
- 150 ftBear left onto Aptos Creek Road, heading S.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto West Ridge Trail, heading W.
- 4 miContinue straight onto Big Stump Gap Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear right onto West Ridge Trail, heading NW.
- 1.3 miBear right onto Hinckley Basin Fire Road, heading NE.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Aptos Creek Fire Road, heading N.
- 50 ftPass Sand Point Overlook.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto White's Lagoon Road, heading S.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Big Slide Trail, heading SW.
- 0.2 miReach Sand Point Overlook, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto White's Lagoon Road, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Aptos Creek Fire Road, heading NW.
- 0.9 miContinue straight onto Hinckley Basin Fire Road, heading W.
- 0.4 miBear left onto West Ridge Trail, heading W.
- 1.3 miBear left onto Big Stump Gap Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto West Ridge Trail, heading S.
- 4 miTurn left onto Aptos Creek Road, heading E.
- 0.5 miBear right, 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 3.0 mi in (~94 min). Leave by 6:19 PM for the 8:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Aptos Creek Road Trailhead
- Aptos Creek Road 1.9 mi · ▲ 213 ft
- Aptos Creek Road 2 mi · ▲ 223 ft
- Aptos Creek Fire Road 2 mi · ▲ 85 ft
- Aptos Creek Road 2.5 mi · ▲ 390 ft
- Loma Prieta Grade via Aptos Creek Fire Road 2.5 mi · ▲ 108 ft
- Aptos Creek Road 2.5 mi · ▲ 363 ft
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