soquel demonstration state forest
TRANSCRIPT
Revised October 2016
FOREST RULES
Forest Rules are designed to protect the resources and visitors of SDSF. Please help by adhering to these rules:
Day use recreation only (dawn to dusk). No camping is permitted. No nighttime use is allowed.
Firearms of any kind are not allowed.
Motorcycles or any other motorized vehicles are not permitted.
Park smart. Don’t impede emergency access by blocking fire roads or gates.
Respect private property by not trespassing onto adjacent private lands.
Smoking or fires of any kind are not allowed in the forest due to the associated fire risks.
Horses and mountain bikes must stay on designated trails and roads.
Please do not litter- pack out what you pack in.
Practice Trail Etiquette. Be courteous to other forest users. Mountain bikers yield to horse riders and hikers, hikers yield to horse riders.
Keep trails in good condition by not riding when it is raining or when soils are saturated.
California Fish and Wildlife regulations prohibit fishing in the East Branch of Soquel Creek.
SOQUEL DEMONSTRATION STATE FOREST
Public Entrance: 29400 Highland Way Los Gatos, California
Office Location: 4750 Soquel-San Jose Road
Soquel, California 95073 (831) 475-8643
State of California
The Natural Resources Agency Department of Forestry and
Fire Protection
www.fire.ca.gov
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
DEMONSTRATION STATE FORESTS
Demonstration State Forests are parcels of timberlands purchased by the State of California and administered by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). These eight forests cover 71,000 acres in California and are used primarily for the demonstration of sustained-yield timber management, education, research and recreation.
The State Forests grow approximately 75 million board feet of timber annually and harvest an average of 30 million board feet of timber each year, enough to build 3,000 single-family homes. Revenue from these harvests funds the management of the State Forests. The forests also provide research and demonstration opportunities, public recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, and watershed protection.
Soquel Demonstration State Forest (SDSF), dedicated in 1990, is the first state forest to be added to the system since 1949. The Forest is located along the East Branch of Soquel Creek and includes portions of Amaya Creek and Fern Gulch Creek. It contains nearly 2,700 acres of redwood, mixed hardwoods, riparian and chaparral ecosystems.
The State Forest is geologically active. The San Andreas and Zayante Faults pass through the property. The epicenter of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake is approximately 2 miles south of the Forest, in the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.
The close proximity to large metropolitan centers provides excellent opportunities for hands on forestry education, experimental timber harvesting techniques, watershed restoration, cone collection for redwood seed, a variety of university research projects, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking and demonstration of a working forest for the public.
SDSF GOALS
Restore and enhance the natural resources within the Forest, including watershed protection.
Provide public recreational uses that are consistent with protection of SDSF.
Develop a forestry education program for the public, schools and interested organizations.
Demonstrate sustained-yield timber harvesting sufficient to cover forest operations and management costs.
Protect old-growth redwood trees.
Provide research opportunities in forestry and natural resource management.
SAFETY
SDSF covers rugged terrain and many areas with difficult access. Emergency response can take an extended period of time in some areas and cell phone reception is not consistent. Please be safety-conscious at all times. Travel with others whenever possible and let someone know of your plans. There is no developed water source in the Forest and poison oak and ticks are common.
Bring plenty of drinking water.
Advanced terrain exists on mountain biking trails. Ride within your limits.
Practice trail etiquette. Ride at a safe speed.
Braille Trail, Flow Trail and Sawpit Trail are recommended for downhill traffic only. Watch for and expect two-way traffic on all other trails and roads.
Check signboards for any current closure areas.
Stay off trails during wet weather.
Report problems and hazards to SDSF staff. Please call 911 in an emergency.
Watch for and expect forest management traffic on forest roads.
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The Forest of NiseneMarks State Park
Heste
r Crk Rd
Radonich Rd
area closedto public
Mill
private propertystay on road
Soquel
-San Jos
e Rd
Ri d g eTra
i l
Trail
Lakewo od Rd
Corral Rd
Hihn's
Rd
private propertynot an exit
private propertynot an exit
private propertynot an exit
Sulpher
Springs Rd
Creek
Hinkley
Hester
Amaya
Branch
East
FernGulch Soquel
Creek
Creek
Hinckley Basin Rd
Aptos
C reek
Fire
Rd
Buz zar d Lagoon Rd
Highland Way
Creek
Creek
Highland Way
Eureka Canyon R d
Amaya Cree k Rd
AmayaBasin
Long R
idge Rd
Ridge Trail
1,000'
1,200'
1,400'
1,600'1,800'
2,000'
2,200' 2,400'
1,000'
800'
TractorRd
Tractor
Trail
Flow Trail
Flow
Rd
Ridge Trail
Sawpit Trail
Corral Trail
Cusacks Trail
B raille Trail
-121°50'-121°50.5'-121°51'-121°51.5'-121°52'-121°52.5'-121°53'-121°53.5'-121°54'-121°54.5'-121°55'-121°55.5'-121°56'-121°56.5'
37°6'
37°5.
5'37
°5'37
°4.5'
37°4'
1.5 miles to State Forest Headquarters
0 0.5 10.25 Miles
see vicinity reference inset map
Soquel Demonstration State ForestCalifornia Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
1:30,000 1 inch = 2,500 feet
All visitors are responsible for knowingState Forest regulations and fees.
Contact office for information.
FNMSP
To Los Gatos
SDSF Headquarters4750 Soquel-San Jose RdSoquel, CA 95073(831) 475-8643
To Watsonville
S A N TA C R U ZC O U N T Y
S A N TA C L A R A C O U N T Y
Highland Way
Corra
litos R
dFreedom Blvd
Porter
St
Summit Rd
Highland Way
17
1
Soqu
e l-SanJos
e Rd
Burrell CAL FIRE Station25050 Highland Way
AptosSoquel
Santa Cruz
ScottsValley
Capitola
Main Entrance
1
E u reka CanyonRd
SDSF
Main Public Entranceto the State Forest
29400 Highland WayLos Gatos, CA
VicinityReference
to Summit Road and Highway 17
ACCESS: The State Forest entrance is located on Highland Way6 miles east of Soquel-San Jose Road (Old San Jose Road)and 10 miles east of Highway 17
9.5 miles to Aptos
GateSignboardParkingPicnic table
Nisene Marks State ParkMajor Streams
Paved RoadSoquel Demonstration State ForestHelipad Disclaimer: This map and any data within shall be used for
reference only. The State of California and CAL FIRE make norepresentations or warranties regarding the accuracy of data ormaps. Neither the State nor the Department shall be liable underany circumstances for any direct, special, incidental, orconsequential damages with respect to any claim by any user orthird party on account of or arising from the use of data or maps.Mileage Markercontour interval = 40'
Print Date: May 2015 - Headley
Unpaved Road
Trail
#Spur Road