Sempervirens Fund Partners with Google Trekker to Map Trails from Skyline to the Sea

Sempervirens Fund volunteer Paul Davis maps the Sequoia Trail in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. 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.

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.

Here are some featured Trekker locations:

First State Park plaque at 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! (more history.)

Berry Creek Falls Viewing Platform, Skyline to the Sea Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

 

Waterman Gap Trail Camp, Skyline to the Sea Trail, Castle Rock State Park

Looking out "to the Sea" at Waddell Beach, Skyline to the Sea Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

 

Sempervirens Campground, Shadowbrook Trail and Big Basin Way/Hwy 236, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

The Father of the Forest, Redwood Loop Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

This Loop was not mapped by Sempervirens Fund but it’s a must visit trail right by Headquarters!

 

Trekking for Sempervirens Fund’s Tribute Program

Google Trekker allows you to virtually hike down a trail and view dedicated trees and groves or available sites open for dedication. It is a great tool to get the feel of the location when you cannot be there in person. Learn more about the Tribute Program. Examples:

City of Mountain View Redwood Grove, Creeping Forest Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Dedicated Redwood Tree, Pine Mountain Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Can you see the small stake in the ground at the foot of the redwood? It may be hard to see but providing this visual map to the donor of this tree helps immensely when they want to visit the tree.

 

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!

Additional Resources

• Hike, Bike & Ride the Santa Cruz Mountains
• Visit the Virtual Redwoods
• Google Street View - California State Parks
• Google Street View – Natural wonders and world landmarks
• Google Maps Treks
• Big Basin Redwoods State Park trails coming to Google Maps (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
• Google Trekker Shows the Way to Living Memorials (Hilltromper)