Trail run in Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve

Every year for our anniversary, my husband and I typically go trail running together then go out to eat. This year marked 11 years and we decided to explore Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve, up near Half Moon Bay. I ran a race on some of these trails back in April, but we had never been here together.
It was a hot but gorgeous day. We hiked the first 4M to skyline as it was mostly straight up, and then we enjoyed 5+ miles of downhill and flat single track. For anyone who lives locally, this is a beautiful park filled with different microclimates, with the redwood sections giving off Big Basin / Nisene Marks / Henry Cowell vibes.
My husband made a little video with the action cam, and captured (without my knowledge) this lovely first section where our tired brains couldn't do simple math. Well, at least he couldn't haha!
Fueling was Skratch sports drink as well as the everyday hydration mix (had to get lots of electrolytes in given the heat), Skratch bar, Go Macro bar, and Precision chews. We were out for about 3 hours, and then we grabbed burgers in Davenport on the way back to Santa Cruz!
FYI, the parking lot near the trails where we started (Purisima Creek Trail) was closed, but we parked on the street and there were TONS of hikers, runners and cyclists once you got into the preserve. Definitely can't wait to go back!
#trailrunning #running #runner #ultrarunning #enduranceathlete #california #redwoods #purisima #statepark