Wunderlich Park Encore

On a return visit to Wunderlich County Park, I took a 3-mile hike just at the right moment to catch the late afternoon light at the golden hour. It was wonderful to see the light playing off of the eucalyptus and the redwoods. Whereas I started my last trip from Skyline and then hiked down the mountain, I started this hike at the park's main entrance near the town of Woodside. From this starting point, I got to see the historic Folger Stables, built in 1905 for the estate of James A. Folger II of Folgers Coffee Company.

From the parking lot, I walked past the stables to access Bear Gulch Trail. I stayed straight on Bear Gulch when the Loop Trail peeled away to the left. I turned to the left to get on Madrone Trail and followed that all the way to Salamander Flat. At the pond, the Madrone and Redwood Trails merge, leading from the denser mixed redwood and madrone forest into the airy, beautiful eucalyptus forest. Here, pick up the Meadow Trail heading downhill and to the left. When the Meadow Trail arrives at the tee, head left back toward the main entrance. I took the Loop Trail back to where I entered the park, but the Alambique Trail also heads back to the parking lot.