Today was a double-hike day. We decided to hike up to Strawberry Rock first, which is located just outside Trinidad. Strawberry Rock is a popular place with the locals - there were eighteen cars parked by the trail-head, and the hike was bustling. Although owned by a private logging company (and plastered with "No Trespassing" warnings) many people enjoy this destination. This 1.5 mile hike winds through a second growth mixed coniferous forest with a dense undergrowth of Salal, Spike Moss and Evergreen Huckleberry. The overgrown trail passes through a quarry and ends at the base of Strawberry Rock.
After bumbling around the base of the rock, we finally found a place to climb up, but the ascent was harrowing. Though one of us was quite the chicken (Daniel) when it came to climbing the rock, we both made it up.
At the top, the rock offers commanding views of the Pacific Ocean, Trinidad Head and surrounding forests. The hike to Strawberry Rock is much less exciting than climbing up the rock itself. The trail is definitely overgrown and can be hard to navigate at times, but the views from the rock make up for that.
Overall we think it deserves a 6.5/10.
Our next hike today was Trinidad Head. This is a short 1 mile loop hike. The trail-head is located next to the beach and is very popular. The hike was a major knee-killer, meaning it was very steep for at least the first half-mile. Several spurs off the main trail lead to benches with incredible views of Trinidad Bay and the mighty Pacific.
The main trail winds through dense shrubbery (Coyote Brush, Blue Ceanothus, and Blackberry). While hiking, we heard sea lions barking from the rocks below, and we saw many birds, including wrentits, ruby-crowned kinglets, fox sparrows, and song sparrows, as well as a small Brush Rabbit that hopped across the trail. At the top of the head we came across a cross which was dated 1775 now that's old. This cross was dedicated by Spanish explorer Bruno de Hezeta and two Franciscan monks to King Charles III of Spain. The original wood cross was replaced in 1913.
Overall we would rate this hike an 8/10 for accessibility, interesting sites, and the sheer beauty of the Pacific Ocean.
