AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve

Chris Macintosh Trail & Whittemore Gulch Trail

5.6 mi · ▲ 1,636 ft · 2 hr 41 min

Chris Macintosh Trail & Whittemore Gulch Trail is a 5.6-mile out-and-back in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve near Redwood Park, CA. It climbs 1,636 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade. It scores 61/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi456 – 2,028 ft · steepest grade: 22%6.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: North Ridge Trail 37.45002, -122.33867
Nearest town Redwood Park, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Chris Macintosh Trail & Whittemore Gulch Trail

5.6 mi · ▲ 1,636 ft · 2 hr 41 min

Elevation 455–2,028 ft

Out & Back · Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve

Trailhead: North Ridge Trail · 37.45002, -122.33867

Weather Aug 4: Clear, high 77°F / low 63° · precip 1% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:17 AM · sunset 8:16 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on North Ridge Trail, heading SW.
  2. 150 ftContinue straight onto Chris Macintosh Trail, heading SW.
  3. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Ridge Trail, heading W.
  4. 50 ftTurn left onto Chris Macintosh Trail, heading NW.
  5. 200 ftContinue straight onto North Ridge Trail, heading SW.
  6. 250 ftBear right onto Chris Macintosh Trail, heading W.
  7. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Ridge Trail, heading W.
  8. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Whittemore Gulch Trail, heading W.
  9. 50 ftBear left onto North Ridge Trail, heading W.
  10. 150 ftContinue straight onto Whittemore Gulch Trail, heading NW.
  11. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Ridge Trail, heading NW.
  12. 350 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  13. 50 ftBear left onto Whittemore Gulch Trail, heading SW.
  14. 2 miReach Chris Macintosh Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  15. 2 miBear right, heading E.
  16. 50 ftTurn right onto North Ridge Trail, heading NW.
  17. 350 ftContinue straight onto Whittemore Gulch Trail, heading NW.
  18. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Ridge Trail, heading NW.
  19. 150 ftBear right onto Whittemore Gulch Trail, heading W.
  20. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Ridge Trail, heading NW.
  21. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Chris Macintosh Trail, heading E.
  22. 50 ftBear left onto North Ridge Trail, heading E.
  23. 250 ftContinue straight onto Chris Macintosh Trail, heading SE.
  24. 200 ftTurn right onto North Ridge Trail, heading SE.
  25. 50 ftContinue straight onto Chris Macintosh Trail, heading SE.
  26. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Ridge Trail, heading SE.
  27. 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/whittemore-gulch-trail-out-back

Weather

ClearTemperature 77°F63°
Precip1%Wind6 mphUV8Humidity35%
Hourly temperature
80°60°
Sunrise 6:17 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:16 PM
Wed 73°50°
Thu 73°49°
Fri 79°49°
Sat 67°47°
Sun 62°46°
Mon 63°46°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 7:56 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 8:16 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 8:44 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from North Ridge Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Redwood Park, California