Garland Ranch Regional Park - Carmel, California
Posted by: 
hotshoe
N 36° 30.640 W 121° 46.160
10S E 610200 N 4041295
4500 acre park managed by the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District
Waymark Code: WM5VW9
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 02/17/2009
Views: 4
"This park is home to a variety of landscapes that occur at elevations from 200 to 2000 feet. From the willow covered banks of the Carmel River through the cottonwood-sycamore stands of the old floodplain, the trails ascend steeply. Atop the northern crest of the Santa Lucia Mountains, the trails encounter open oak savannas and spectacular vistas. Along the way, you will travel through maple-filled canyons, dense oak woodlands, and thick stands of chaparral. Garzas Creek gently bisects the park and provides a peaceful, shaded trail that reaches a secluded side canyon of redwoods."
(
visit link)
The park is popular with runners who train mostly in the lower, less steep areas, and with hikers who can challenge themselves with miles of trails which reach the ridge top and loop back in various interesting routes. Horses are allowed on many trails. There are restrooms near the main parking, a few water fountains (and horse water troughs), and a few picnic tables and benches scattered through the park, but there are no park play facilities (no ball fields, no playground, etc)