1.7 hr
Overview
Opened to the public for hiking in June 2019, the Alma Trail starts at the parking lot along Bear Creek Road and climbs steeply up to a junction with the Redwood Springs Trail and Madrone Knoll Trail through a forest of fir and redwood trees. Park in the new parking lot along Bear Creek Road and cross the road via the pedestrian crossing. From here, the trail begins to immediately climb steeply uphill via a series of switchbacks. <br><br>The trail is wide, packed gravel at this point which makes the hiking easy. Flowers bloom along the trail in spring time and trees are all around you, providing shade throughout the day. At roughly 0.7 miles, the trail levels off for about 0.2 miles as it hugs the side of the hill before it starts to climb steeply again. <br><br>1.1 miles along the trail, the Redwood Springs Trail breaks off to the right while the Alma Trail begins to descend ahead of you. For 0.75 miles, the trail either descends or is flat, giving you a nice break from the 500+ feet of climbing you accomplished in the first mile. After crossing a small creek via a bridge at the 1.8 mile marker, the trail starts to approach boundary of the park that is open to the public. <br><br>At 2 miles, the trail breaks off to the right and transforms from gravel to dirt as it nears Bear Creek Road. For the next mile, the grade of the trail is often between 5-10%. The forest opens up in places, but the trees provide a great amount of shade for most of this section. At close to 3 miles, you arrive at the junction of the Redwood Springs Trail, the Madrone Knoll Trail, and the Alma Trail. From here, you can turn to the left and hike up to Madrone Knoll (Bear Creek Summit) or you can continue forward and enjoy the Redwood Springs Trail. <br><br>Since the hike back down the Alma Trail is the same distance as hiking the Redwood Springs Trail, you have options. Combining the two trails makes for a nice loop hike through the forest of redwoods and fir trees that the preserve protects.
Trail Stats
4.8 km
313 m
570 m
303 m
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Photos
The Redwood Springs Trail levels off as it approaches the Alma Trail.
The Redwood Springs Trail levels off as it approaches the Alma Trail.
A small creek works its way downhill, and helps provide the surrounding forest with life.
A small creek works its way downhill, and helps provide the surrounding forest with life.
The preserve has been worked on since 1999 to prepare it for public use. Here, rocks help counteract the threat of a landslide happening.
The preserve has been worked on since 1999 to prepare it for public use. Here, rocks help counteract the threat of a landslide happening.
Flowers bloom along the trail.
Flowers bloom along the trail.
The trail turns to dirt at this point as it climbs higher into the preserve.
The trail turns to dirt at this point as it climbs higher into the preserve.
The trail levels off and provides a great opportunity to enjoy a break from all the climbing you have done to this point.
The trail levels off and provides a great opportunity to enjoy a break from all the climbing you have done to this point.
If you look closely around you, you can see evidence of human occupation in the early parts of your hike.
If you look closely around you, you can see evidence of human occupation in the early parts of your hike.
Most of the views are obstructed by trees, but occasionally you get a glimpse of the surrounding hills.
Most of the views are obstructed by trees, but occasionally you get a glimpse of the surrounding hills.
The St. Joseph's Shrine sits in the trees today. It once housed a statue of St. Joseph, the patron saint of Italians, who likely erected much of the Alma College complex.
The St. Joseph's Shrine sits in the trees today. It once housed a statue of St. Joseph, the patron saint of Italians, who likely erected much of the Alma College complex.
Upper Lake where you may encounter bullfrogs, turtles, salamanders, and newts, native to the area.
Upper Lake where you may encounter bullfrogs, turtles, salamanders, and newts, native to the area.
This old growth redwood sits off the left side of the trail and reminds you just how gigantic these trees can become.
This old growth redwood sits off the left side of the trail and reminds you just how gigantic these trees can become.
A turkey feeds along the trail in the evening.
A turkey feeds along the trail in the evening.
Blackberries ripen along the trail.
Blackberries ripen along the trail.
A nice bridge provides you an easy method for crossing this creek.
A nice bridge provides you an easy method for crossing this creek.
Roses and other flowers can be seen along the trail. You'll notice how blackberries, native to the area, grow among the flowers.
Roses and other flowers can be seen along the trail. You'll notice how blackberries, native to the area, grow among the flowers.