The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is a fascinating 10,000-acre redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains, located just outside Aptos. .
Here is an overview of what makes the park unique:
1. Natural & Geological Significance
Earthquake Epicenter: The park contains the epicenter of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (magnitude 6.9). .
You can hike to the exact location, which is marked with informative signs, though the physical "scars" on the land have largely been reclaimed by the forest.
 |
| On the other side of this post is the description of the earthquake |
Inland Sea History: Surprisingly, much of this mountain forest was once under an inland sea. .
If you look closely at the creek beds, you can still find fossilized seashells embedded in the rocks.
Albino Redwoods: There are rare "albino" redwoods (trees that lack chlorophyll and appear white) hidden in the park, though their exact locations are often kept quiet by locals and enthusiasts to protect them.
2. Human & Cultural History
Logging Era (1883–1923): Between these years, the Loma Prieta Lumber Company removed roughly 140 million board feet of lumber. .
The main "Fire Road" used by hikers and bikers today actually follows the old standard-gauge railroad grade built to haul those logs out. Loma Prieta Ghost Town: At its peak, the forest housed a small town called Loma Prieta with roughly 300 residents, a schoolhouse, and a hotel. .
You can still find remnants of logging camps, such as the Hoffman Historic Site, which features some of the best-preserved ruins. The Marks Family: The park is named after Nisene Marks, whose children donated the land to the state in 1963. .
They originally bought it hoping to find oil, but when drilling failed, they chose to preserve the forest in her memory. There are residends inside the park. Same may be families of the loggers while others are the modern-day private property owners who live in "inholdings" within or immediately adjacent to the park boundaries.
3. Popular Trails & Activities
The park features over 30 miles of trails ranging from easy strolls to strenuous all-day treks:
Old-Growth Loop (Easy, 1.5–2 miles): This is one of the few places to see original old-growth trees that escaped the logging era, including "The Advocate," a massive redwood roughly 1,000 years old. This part is closer to the entrance.
Maple Falls (Moderate/Challenging, ~8 miles):
A beautiful hike through fern-lined canyons that leads to a 30-foot waterfall. . It’s best visited after it rains, though the creek crossings can be tricky. Five Finger Falls (Strenuous, ~13 miles):
A long, rewarding trek that passes near the earthquake epicenter and leads to a spectacular multi-tiered waterfall. Mountain Biking: Biking is permitted on the Aptos Creek Fire Road and four single-track trails below the steel bridge (Aptos Rancho, Split Stuff, Terrace, and Vienna Woods). I would say half the visitors are on bikes because this is really a big park.
Essential Tips
Fees: There is an $8 vehicle day-use fee collected at the entrance. You can visit other state parks the same day with the same ticket. Get a map here! (as seen below)
Cell Service: Signal is extremely spotty or nonexistent once you get deep into the canyons, so it's a good idea to download a map beforehand.
Bridge Crossing: The seasonal bridge over Aptos Creek is usually removed during the winter (November–April), which may require wading through the creek to access certain trails.
