Hiking Jack's Peak in Monterey, California
Monterey County Park Showcases Views of Bay, Pines, Miocene Fossils
Jul 20, 2009
Within the city limits of Monterey, this regional park offers an easy getaway for residents and tourists alike. Miles of trails wind through rare native Monterey pines, pausing at scenic overlooks and fascinating geologic outcroppings.
Monterey, California
Monterey was founded in 1770, and served as the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico. Situated on Monterey Bay and home to the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey has long been a premium destination for lovers of nature and marine life. The Elkhorn Slough estuary offers opportunities to view birds and sea otters up close, while the forested hills are home to mountain lions and native Monterey pines.
One of the many nearby tranquil parks and recreation areas is Jack's Peak County Park, an easily accessible place to picnic, meditate or hike among the towering pines.
Jack's Peak County Park in Monterey
Covering 525 acres of forested ridge top, Jack's Peak County Park has been open since 1977. Named after a fortune-hunting Scottish immigrant, the peak is the highest point on the Monterey peninsula at 1,068 feet, giving visitors spectacular views of both the peninsula and Monterey Bay. The day-use park provides picnicking facilities, including a group area (available by reservation) that accommodates up to 50 visitors and which is available for weddings.
The park is open mid to late morning, 10:00 am or 11:00 am, depending upon the month, and closes between 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm on a similar schedule. A modest fee is charged. Apart from the tranquil setting, the park's primary attractions are the Monterey pines and the trail system that runs through them.
Monterey Pine Trees and Other Plant Life in the Park
Jack's Peak park is one of only three remaining stands of native Monterey pine trees in the world. The pines are of little economic value in the US today, but are planted for timber in Australia, New Zealand and Chile. The other two native tree areas are also on the California coast, at Cambria and Santa Cruz.
Monterey pines grow relatively quickly to a height of 100 feet, but seldom live more than 80 or 90 years. The trees thrive in the cool, foggy environment of the coast, and add a cathedral-like setting to the park's trails.
Other plants and trees found in the park include California live oak, Ceanothus, Coyote brush, Toyon and Coffeeberry. Hikers and picnickers should note that Poison oak is also widespread.
Jack's Peak Park Hiking Trails
The park provides more than 8 miles of excellent hiking and horseback trails, There are 11 named trails, and although none of them are more than a mile or so in length, many of them interconnect and can be combined to create a wide variety of interesting hikes. One of the best introductory hikes that a visitor should take is the Skyline Nature Trail.
The Skyline Nature Trail starts near the second picnic area at the end of the road into the park, Jack's Peak Drive. The trail is self-guided with a number of interpretive signs, and winds up the hill through tall Monterey pines. There are multiple viewing spots and benches along the way. In less than a half mile, the trail intersects with the Pine Trail, but first time visitors will want to continue a short distance to the summit area and its views south along the peninsula.
From the summit, hikers can return on the half mile Jack's Peak Trail, or continue a half mile to an intersection with the Iris Trail. Turning right at this intersection adds a bit more than 2 miles to the return, or one can turn left and return to the picnic area in less than a half mile. Photographic opportunities are plentiful throughout the system.
Miocene Fossils in the Aguajito Shale Beds
The Skyline Nature Trail parallels an ancient shale bed outcropping before it reaches Jack's Peak, and Miocene epoch fossils are present throughout this formation. Some 12 million years ago the sea that covered all of the present county began receding, exposing the park's peak as the tip of an island. The lightweight shale exposed along the trail was part of that Miocene shoreline, and fossilized marine life and leaves can be seen in the rock shelves.
A Day at Jack's Peak County Park in Monterey
Jack's Peak doesn't share the draw of Monterey's Bay, aquarium or Cannery Row. Tourists flock to these and the many other publicized attractions. This alone may be reason to seek out this peaceful park.
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