On a crisp fall day, I drove down to the city of Monterey for a short and relatively easy hike. Located in Jacks Peak County Park, this lollipop would take me through most of the park’s trails and much of what it has to offer. It was a perfect day above the Pacific with bright blue skies, and simply being outdoors was fantastic!
Miles/Elevation:
5.2 miles
1,099 feet vertical gain
About Jacks Peak County Park:
Located just outside the city of Monterey on California’s Central Coast, Jacks Peak County Park is a 525 acre park comprising coastal hills, pine forest, and coastal scrub. The park contains about 8 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. There is no camping available in the park, but there are multiple day use areas for picnicking or just relaxing!
Getting To The Trailhead:
Help keep nature pristine. Follow Leave No Trace!
To reach the Monterey area, take Highway 1 south from Santa Cruz, 101 and 1 south from the Bay Area, 68 west from Salinas, or 1 north from Big Sur. Once in Monterey, get on Highway 68 (or stay on it if coming from Salinas), and follow it until about 1.5 miles east of Highway 1. Here turn onto Olmsted Road and follow it south for half a mile. Park in the pullouts on the right side of the road across from where the trail starts on the left. The trailhead is not marked, so you will have to keep an eye out.
Tips:
- The trailhead is unmarked. Look for a small pullout on the side of the road and a steep dirt path across from it.
- Cut out the lollipop portion of this hike. There isn’t anything exciting to see.
- Head just a couple miles south to Point Lobos for a much better hike.
The Jacks Peak Lollipop:
To The Picnic Area:
Always follow basic trail etiquette when you’re hiking!
From the pullouts on Olmsted Road, look for the use trail heading into the trees on the other side of the road. Once you find it, begin. The trail begins with a very steep climb up and away from the road. The packed dirt trail could definitely be slippery or treacherous, especially in wet weather, but fortunately, it is only about a 100 foot climb and you’ll be done with it shortly.
An easy nearby hike is the Creamery Meadows Trail at Andrew Molera State Park!
Once atop the first climb, you’ll start having some nice views out over the Monterey area and the Pacific Ocean. There are no major viewpoints or real highpoints, but occasionally you will get nice glimpses through the trees.
For more awesome coastal hikes, check out our list of the best hikes in Big Sur!
Along with views of the ocean, you will also have some nice looks inland. There are actually probably more open views looking inland towards the hills and forests of Carmel, and from up here there’s a pretty nice vantage!
Travelling to Big Sur? Check our complete Big Sur road trip itinerary!
Eventually, you will begin losing the views and enter denser forest. The trees here may not be as large or spectacular as the Redwoods or Giant Sequoias, but this forest is pretty unique. The native Monterey Pine is extremely endangered in the wild, and Jacks Peak Park is one of only 3 remaining places with native stands of the trees!
After passing a house or two, you will reach the East Picnic Area and main parking lot of Jacks Peak Park. Hike past the East Picnic Area and continue on the Sage Trail.
The Lollipop:
Once you’re past the East Picnic Area you’re fully on the lollipop portion of the hike. You’ll descend down the other side of the park, walk through some lower elevation forests, and then climb back up towards the picnic area.
The lollipop follows the Sage Trail and the Madrone Trail. I’m not going to lie, I would recommend skipping this part of the hike. There just really isn’t much to see. I was hoping for some nice views, but you just descend further down into the forest. The trail quality is fine, but it’s not like the hiking is really that exciting either. It’s honestly just a walk through the woods, which is fine if that’s what you want, but it wasn’t all that interesting.
Brazil Ranch might be the best short hike in Big Sur!
After a bit under two miles, you’ll be back up by the picnic area and ready to head back towards the trailhead. Continue back on the trail you took previously to make your way towards the trailhead.
Hiking Back:
Once you’re back on the first trail of the day, you could just hike back to the trailhead in a straight shot. However, I noticed a trail branching off the main one earlier, and since I was enjoying the day, I decided to check it out.
This side trail leads up a steep hill, and I was hoping that there would be a nice lookout point at the top. Upon reaching the top after a quick 60 or so foot climb, I was disappointed to see the entire hill was covered in dense trees. No viewpoint for me! Weirdly, there was a bench up there situated to look out over the ocean, but you could hardly see through the trees. Could have been a great spot.
Hike the Spine Trail for more great coastal views!
From there it was a quick hike back to the trailhead. The steep descent back down at the end was uneventful, and after a pleasant couple of hours, I was done!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 7/10
This isn’t a terrible hike, and I honestly had a very pleasant time while hiking it, but there is nothing spectacular about this trail. There are some good views in one or two spots, but mostly you’re just walking through the woods. There’s nothing for exposed trail, and honestly there just isn’t anything spectacular here.
If you’re in the area and are just looking for an easily accessible place to get some fresh air and stretch your legs then yea this hike is fine, but there are much more interesting hikes to be found, especially if you drive a little ways south towards Big Sur!
Pros:
- Some nice views
- Generally good trail quality
- Shaded
Cons:
- Little for views during most of the hike
- Stretches of boring trail
- Parking lots and road walking midway through
Alternative Hikes:
Point Lobos Loop Trail | Map, Guide – California | AllTrails
Animas Pond via Pond, Vista Lobos and Inspiration Point Trail | Map, Guide – California | AllTrails
Fort Ord Trail 51 and Trail 52 Loop | Map, Guide – California | AllTrails
Earl Moser, Madrone, Rhus, Iris, Coffeeberry, Pine, Sage Loop | Map, Guide – California | AllTrails
When To Hike In Jacks Peak:
Monterey is definitely a 4 season destination. Spring is a fantastic time to visit, and the weather should be pleasant and mostly dry. Spring is also the best time to see wildflowers in all their glory!
Summer brings the warmest temperature of the year (still comfortable), and morning fog that usually burns off by afternoon. Fall is generally the clearest weather, and winter brings the most precipitation, though it’s still a nice place to visit! Honestly, I’ve been to this area every time of year, and Monterey is always awesome, so I’d just find a day with a clear forecast!
Links For Further Reading:
Jacks Peak via Olmsted Road | Map, Guide – California | AllTrails
