Muddy Hollow Road Trail
Trail length: 2.2 miles
Terrain: coastal scrub
Restroom? No
Parking: gravel parking area
Kid friendly? Yes
Dates visited: 7/4/16, 9/9/16, 7/22/18, 9/2/18, 8/18/19, 10/23/20
Favorite plants on this trail: Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)
Starting at the Muddy Hollow Trailhead off Limantour Road, take the trail at the right end of the parking area — not to be confused with the Muddy Hollow Trail which is to the left. The Muddy Hollow Road trail descends to a small creek which is not difficult to cross but I’ve slipped and stepped into the creek at least once resulting in a soggy hiking boot for the next few hours. The trail is mostly in the open with just a few trees arching over the trail for shade along the way. It tends to be cooler in this valley so heat is only an issue on very warm days in summer and fall. The views are expansive across the meadow and into the hills beyond. The Estero trail to the south (left) runs parallel to the Muddy Hollow Road trail for the first mile or so, but it’s hidden by a screen of trees.
Several trails intersect with this trail. First is the Bayview Trail/Drakes View Trail and then the Bucklin Trail. These trails ascend steeply to the Inverness Ridge so it’s easier to hike them starting from the highest point at the Inverness Ridge end and walk downhill. For example, hike the Inverness Ridge-Drakes View-Bayview loop.
The Muddy Hollow Road Trail is popular with joggers and horseback riders but it’s not a crowded trail. It’s a great trail for wildflowers and wildlife spotting. There are plenty of Tule elk in the area so your chances of seeing one are good. During rutting season in the late summer and fall, you can hear the males whistling and bugling from quite a distance as they vie for position in the herd.
Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus)
Hiking the Muddy Hollow Road Trail in August 2019, I was drawn to the intricate beauty of the Thimbleberry plant and photographed it from every angle.
Volunteer Opportunity for Families: Native Plant Seed Collection
Help park staff in collecting native grass seed for use in park restoration and conservation projects. Open to kids age 7 and older accompanied by an adult. You’ll learn to identify native plants and learn when it’s time to collect the seeds.