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Google Trekker Maps Santa Cruz Mountains Trails

Sempervirens Fund Partners with Google Trekker

Virtual Hikes from the Skyline to the Sea

Thanks to Google Trekker, you can not only hike in the Santa Cruz mountains wherever you have internet, you can also go back in time to take in trails and views from before the 2020 CZU Fire. You may know that Google Maps allows you to enter Street View mode, giving you a 360-degree panoramic view of a street location, from which you can explore the scene by clicking and dragging your mouse. The Google Trekker backpack brings this same technology to locations that are only accessible by foot and the Trekker Loan Program makes it available to nonprofits like Sempervirens Fund. Thanks to dedicated volunteers and staff sweating it out on the trails with the 40-pound Trekker pack. We have captured imagery of over 60 miles of trails in the Santa Cruz mountains, including the 31-mile Skyline to the Sea Trail.

Sempervirens Fund volunteer Paul Davis maps the Sequoia Trail in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, by Dan Coyro, Santa Cruz Sentinel.

Explore Virtually With Google Trekker

San Lorenzo Valley Vista

Saratoga Gap Trail, Castle Rock State Park

Move your mouse around the image above to explore a section of the Saratoga Gap Trail (above) in Castle Rock State Park. You can turn around 360 degrees or click to move along the trail in either direction.

Click here for instructions from Google on how to use Street View on Google Maps.

This Trekker imagery can help you plan your hiking or backpacking trips by giving you a better sense of the terrain or help you experience trails you may never be able to visit in person. You can also explore campgrounds to see what they really look like and to scope out the best site. Through our Tribute Program, donors name specific trees or groves in honor of a loved one. The maps can help you find the right trees or groves for such a dedication. And we also see potential for integrating this visual information into educational programming in the future.

Featured Locations

First State Park Plaque

Where: The foot of Slippery Rock Shadowbrook Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

It was at this site that the original Sempervirens Club was formed on May, 15, 1900!

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Berry Creek Falls Viewing Platform

Where: Skyline to the Sea Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

There is said to be a ghost in the falls for whom they are named.

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Waterman Gap Trail Camp

Where: Skyline to the Sea Trail, Castle Rock State Park

An important stopover for backpackers on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.

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Looking out "to the Sea"

Where: Waddell Beach, Skyline to the Sea Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail connects 30-miles of trails.

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Sempervirens Campground

Where: Shadowbrook Trail and Big Basin Way/Hwy 236, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Named for the concerned citizens that helped protect California's 1st State Park in 1902.

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The Father of the Forest

Where: Redwood Loop Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

This iconic old-growth redwood in the Santa Cruz mountains survived the 2020 CZU Fire.

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Trekking to Tribute Trees

Google Trekker allows you to virtually hike down a trail and view dedicated trees and groves, like the examples below. It is a great tool to visit the location when you cannot be there in person. Learn more about how to honor someone with redwood trees dedicated as living memorial or gift.

City of Mountain View Redwood Grove

Where: Creeping Forest Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

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Dedicated Redwood Tree

Where: Pine Mountain Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

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Want to volunteer to Google Trek with us?

Sempervirens Fund would like to use Google Trekker to map more trails in the Santa Cruz mountains and is looking for volunteers to help. Please visit our Volunteer Opportunities page for contact information as well as additional volunteer opportunities. Specify your interest in Google Trekker when you contact us. Thank you!

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