Woods Trail

Overview

The Woods Trail starts at a small parking area at the Mt. Umunhum Road turnoff from Hicks Road.<br><br>Woods Trail is a continual climb on wooded hillsides for the first 5.2 miles. For about the first 4 miles, this wooded hillside is the east shoulder of Mt. Umunhum. The hillside drops off steeply to the right of the trail. To the left of the trail, the hillside rises steeply to a ridge that forms the east shoulder of Mt. Umunhum. Although the woods are thick, due to the rugged terrain and steep hillsides, there are great views of other ridges and summits, including the summit of Mt. Umunhum. Seasonal streams and a few permanent streams cascade down the hillsides. In the winter, after drenching winter rains, the Woods Trail crosses many streams and waterfalls along the way. Coastal fog is frequent in these mountains and keeps them moist year round. In shaded areas, the trees and rocks are covered with thick bright green moss. <br><br>After the first 4 miles, Woods Trail turns north (right), to continue on hillsides of a ridge that connects Mt. El Sombroso to the ridge of Mt. Umunhum and Mt. Thayer. Again, the hillside drops off steeply to the right of the trail, and climbs steeply to the left of the trail. As the trail continues to climb, the woods become somewhat thinner in places, with shorter trees. Great views of Mt. Umunhum, the Quicksilver Park Hills (Capitancillos Ridge), and the East Bay Hills can be seen. <br><br>After a little over a mile (about 5.2 miles from the start of the trail), Woods Trail veers left to climb to the top of this ridge that connects Mt. El Sombroso to the Mt. Umunhum/Mt. Thayer ridge. The woods give way to brush and grass, as the Woods Trail reaches the top of this ridge after climbing the ridge for about .7 miles. A short spur trail leads to the summit of Mt. El Sombroso - 2,999 ft., shortly after Woods Trail reaches this ridge top. Woods Trail then runs along this ridge top for its last . 6 miles where it ends at its trail junction with Kennedy Trail and Limekiln Trail. Views

Trail Stats

Photos

Looking north, San Jose and Mt. Diablo stand in the distance from the summit of Mt. El Sombroso (2,999 ft).

Looking north, San Jose and Mt. Diablo stand in the distance from the summit of Mt. El Sombroso (2,999 ft).

Look west over the Santa Cruz Mountains from near the summit of Mt. El Sombroso (2,999 ft) along the Woods Trail.

Look west over the Santa Cruz Mountains from near the summit of Mt. El Sombroso (2,999 ft) along the Woods Trail.

Mt. Umunhum (3,486 ft) can be seen from the summit of Mt. El Sombroso (2,999 ft).

Mt. Umunhum (3,486 ft) can be seen from the summit of Mt. El Sombroso (2,999 ft).

Steep hillsides covered in thick woods filter the afternoon sunlight on Woods Trail.

Steep hillsides covered in thick woods filter the afternoon sunlight on Woods Trail.

Expect gorgeous views as you climb through rugged terrain on the Woods Trail in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Expect gorgeous views as you climb through rugged terrain on the Woods Trail in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Capitancillos Ridge of the Quicksilver Park Hills makes for a great view from the Woods Trail.

Capitancillos Ridge of the Quicksilver Park Hills makes for a great view from the Woods Trail.

Mt. Umunhum shines in the late-afternoon sun from the Woods Trail.

Mt. Umunhum shines in the late-afternoon sun from the Woods Trail.

Mt. Umunhum stands prominently in the distance from high on the Woods Trail.

Mt. Umunhum stands prominently in the distance from high on the Woods Trail.

Enjoy phenomenal views looking east from high on the Woods Trail. Quicksilver Hills stand on the left in the distance; East Bay Hills in the far distance (left); and the east shoulder of Mt. Umunhum stands on the right.

Enjoy phenomenal views looking east from high on the Woods Trail. Quicksilver Hills stand on the left in the distance; East Bay Hills in the far distance (left); and the east shoulder of Mt. Umunhum stands on the right.

A creek along the Woods Trail cascades vigorously after winter rains.

A creek along the Woods Trail cascades vigorously after winter rains.

Enjoy the first views of Mt. Umunhum right near the Woods Trail trailhead.

Enjoy the first views of Mt. Umunhum right near the Woods Trail trailhead.

A waterfall cascades down mossy rocks along the Woods Trail after winter rains.

A waterfall cascades down mossy rocks along the Woods Trail after winter rains.

Moss-covered trees are abundant in the woods along the Woods Trail. Coastal fog keeps everything moist.

Moss-covered trees are abundant in the woods along the Woods Trail. Coastal fog keeps everything moist.

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