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Pajaro Valley’s plentiful hiking opportunities are worth revisiting during the summer

Tarmo Hannula/File photo W ith summertime comes a surge in outdoor activity and recreation. From mountain biking to horseback riding, fishing to swimming, the Pajaro Valley has plenty to offer.

Hiking is perhaps the most popular and accessible of these activities. One only needs a good pair of walking shoes, sun protection and a map in their back pocket.

And for those in the Pajaro Valley, they don’t have to travel far for a long walk.

One of the gems of Watsonville is its six-and-a-half miles of trails that hug its 800 acres of wetlands. Watsonville’s wetlands are the state’s third largest remaining coastal freshwater wetlands, running through the city until they connect with the Pajaro River and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. They support more than 270 bird species, and 23 of its native plants and animals listed as threatened, endangered, or species of special concern.

Watsonville Wetlands Watch reminds everyone to be courteous of each other and the natural habitats. This includes staying on the trails themselves as much as possible and using pet waste bags to clean up after their pooches.

Also, observe the bounty of the environment around you. Wildlife can be viewed from the trails if you stop and look closely. Bird watching is a popular activity in the Pajaro Valley; in a couple of months, Fall migration will begin, and a diversity of birds from as far north as the Arctic Circle will stop in Watsonville’s wetlands.

Slightly farther south, the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is one of the region’s most impressive hiking spots. The 1,700-acre reserve located at the east end of Elkhorn Slough, inland from Moss Landing, offers guests access to five miles of hiking trails meandering through wetlands, oak woodlands and meadows. ➝ 6

LOOKOUT POINT Birders enjoy an up-close view of birds at Elkhorn Slough Reserve.

CITY IN NATURE A man strolls along a trail beside Harkins Slough, which is part of the City of Watsonville’s six-and-a-half-mile trail system around area sloughs.

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Wildlife sightings are common in the reserve, especially migratory birds that pass through the Pacific Flyway, a major north-south route for migratory species in America. The area has been recognized by the National Audubon Society, and was designated as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 2018.

When heading out to any park or trail system, there is plenty to take into account. Keeping the place you are visiting cleaner than you found it is one of the most important. The seven Leave No Trace principles are as follows: • Plan Ahead and Prepare • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces • Dispose of Waste Properly • Leave What You Find • Minimize Campfire Impacts • Respect Wildlife • Be Considerate of Other Visitors

In addition to caring for the environment, hikers should also take care of themselves, their friends and family by bringing plenty of water, applying sunscreen and wearing hats. Be sure to wear durable shoes, and have a comfortable pack that includes some basic first aid supplies.

Paper maps are also critically important.

Planning ahead—the first of Leave No Trace’s principles— can also be helpful, especially for novice hikers. A number of websites and apps, including alltrails. com, are packed full of important information.

MORE LOCAL HIKING

Pinto Lake County Park — 757 Green Valley Road, Watsonville. Open sunrise to sunset, this 183-acre park includes picturesque views of Pinto Lake from its 2.7-mile hiking trail loop. Good for all skill levels. Mt. Madonna County Park — 7850 Pole Line Road, Watsonville. A 4,600-plus-acre county park marked by redwood forest and chaparral. Visit the ruins of the Henry Miller Estate, search for banana slugs and take in the scenery at Valley View. The park, located off Hecker Pass Road, comprises primarily redwood forest and sits atop the Santa Cruz Mountain range. It is a popular destination for camping, hiking, horseback riding, archery and picnicking. Byrne-Milliron Forest — 809 Browns Valley Road, Corralitos. Composed of 402 acres, this property includes trails to hike and explore, with ancient redwoods and panoramic views of the Pajaro Valley and Monterey Bay. The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County works the forest as a sustainable forestry operation and boasts the “Great White” Redwood tree, a 250-foot tall 1,000-year-old monarch that somehow escaped past clear-cutting operations. Forest of Nisene Marks State Park — Aptos Creek Road, Aptos. Thirty miles of trails wind through these 9,700 acres of semi-wilderness terrain that rise from sea level to more than 2,600 feet. Hikers can see the scars left behind from the more than four decades of logging that ran up until the early 20th century.