AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

The Advocate Tree & Old Growth Loop Trail

1.1 mi · ▲ 238 ft · 29 min

The Advocate Tree & Old Growth Loop Trail is a 1.1-mile out-and-back in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park near Aptos, CA. The route reaches The Advocate Tree at the turnaround, 0.4 miles in. It is mostly level, with 238 ft of elevation gain. It scores 21/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi69 – 236 ft1.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 36.98492, -121.90377
Nearest town Aptos, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

The Advocate Tree & Old Growth Loop Trail

1.1 mi · ▲ 238 ft · 29 min

Elevation 68–235 ft

Out & Back · The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Trailhead: 36.98492, -121.90377

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:13 PM

Dogs allowed on leash · Transit-accessible: Soquel Dr / State Park Drive stop 650 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 150 ftTurn right onto Split Stuff Trail, heading NW.
  3. 0.1 miSharp left onto Aptos Rancho Trail, heading W.
  4. 150 ftSharp right onto Old Growth Loop Trail, heading S.
  5. 0.2 miTurn left onto The Advocate Tree Spur Trail, heading SW.
  6. 150 ftReach The Advocate Tree, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 150 ftBear left onto Old Growth Loop Trail, heading SE.
  8. 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  9. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Oak Ridge Trail, heading NW.
  10. 50 ftContinue straight onto Old Growth Loop Trail, heading NW.
  11. 0.2 miTurn right onto Aptos Rancho Trail, heading E.
  12. 0.1 miTurn left, heading SE.
  13. 250 ftBear left onto Split Stuff Trail, heading S.
  14. 250 ftTurn left, heading S.
  15. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/the-advocate-tree-old-growth-loop-trail-out-back

Weather

Sunrise 6:16 AMSunset 8:13 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.5 mi in (~15 min). Leave by 7:38 PM for the 8:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Transit-accessible: Soquel Dr / State Park Drive stop 650 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Aptos, California