Castle Rock State Park

I visited this park briefly about a year ago, mainly to use the porta potty which at the time was filled with bees. That was quite a quandry because I really had to go, but didn't want to get stung on the "bee hind". :) I went, but quickly.

So today I decided to go back for a little hike. The California State Park website calls this adventure #50. But they don't mention why this park is called Castle Rock. I saw the huge rock formations, but they don't look like castles. More like huge chunks of swiss cheese. But they don't call it "Huge Chunks of Swiss Cheese Rock Park". There really should be explanations for these things, because I'm sure I'm not the first person to ask.

This is the first huge rock formation you see when you head down the trail. I'd like to know how it got hollowed out. Wind, rain?

This is standing in the shadow of the rock and taking a picture upwards. It's really amazing when you stop and think about how that rock came to be. Where did the rest of it go? It's surrounded by woods. How did it get there?

Castle Rock is an easy hike. Smooth, flat trails through the woods.

It was a short hike to Castle Rock, but when I got there I didn't stay long or try to take a picture. There were two people nestled in the carved out portion of the rock simultaneously kissing, and smoking. Which was irritating. Kissing you can do back at the parking lot. I'm not sure it is really neccessary to suck face at a national monument. And smoking? Um, thanks for putting the entire Santa Cruz mountains at a fire risk there, bud.

I moved on.

This is Goat Rock trail. This trail leads a half mile up over several large rocks. I think it's called Goat Rock because only a billy goat would find it easy to get over.

I climbed over lots of rocks.

The view from Castle Rock Falls.

I met these guys on the trail back.

Castle Rock was a lot of fun, but most importantly I finally broke in my new hiking shoes.