Opened in 1971, Toro County Park has provided thousands of visitors with breathtaking views of its rugged canyons and hills, as well as lush springtime meadows. It’s the perfect place for a casual stroll or exhilarating mountain bike ride and is just the spot for a serious uphill marathoner. And for the more curious-minded naturalists, Toro Park offers a fine look into the plants and animals of chaparral Monterey. Being someone who trekked by both foot and pedal, all while taking a look into the natural side of the park, here’s a recollection of sights and places that stuck with me the most during my travels in Toro Park. 

 

Last June, I decided to head out into Harper’s Canyon as I researched that a plane wreckage was within it. On my map of Toro Park, a smaller canyon that split off the Harper Canyon trail was labeled Airplane Canyon, which piqued my curiosity. Online, I found a video of a biker who explored it and found a metal scrap of what indeed appeared to be a small airplane. While the wreckage wasn’t very significant, I figured the reward of simply locating it would be exciting.

 

That being said, I did not locate any wreckage, as I deemed the location of Airplane Canyon overgrown. The trip was already growing long, so I decided to call it quits. However, the dry land I had covered before and the lush green canopy I wandered into after was an oasis for that hot, muggy June day. The sun danced through the green leaves and shone upon the small creek that ran with cool water along the trail as moss sat healthily upon the trunks of the trees. The air was fresh, and I felt relaxed and renewed after being in the hot sun as I sat on a boulder. After the rainy spring, I felt relieved knowing that the park still held pockets of such greenery. 

Establishing itself as a large, central dirt road within the park, Toyon Ridge takes you higher and higher, granting its hikers an astonishing panoramic view of Salinas Valley. Venture high enough, and Monterey Bay is visible, with two smokestacks of the Elkhorn Slough power plant appearing as a speck just near the shoreline. If you ever plan to return to the park, then Toyon Ridge and the several peaks along it serve as a great vantage point for spying out other trails that you might consider exploring next time. A pair of binoculars would more than likely help you get the most out of your sightseeing experience! 

 

However, what captivated me most as I walked along the trail one day were the deep gorges and canyons directly below me. The rugged geography dotted with scrubby ceanothus, toyon, and sage just about covered everything around, with the ever-familiar oak here and there. I could see Fort Ord to the west, the familiar neighboring park. I wondered how the two could have physically connected into one park if it weren’t for the highway below. The openness around me and the heights I stood at gave me a feeling of liberation and mental clarity. The breeze is sure to gather any troubles of yours and let them flow into the valleys below. If you want to take in sweeping views of Toro Park, Toyon Ridge is the place to be.

Mark’s Canyon features an extensive trail that begins as a slightly challenging mountain bike downhill, from farther within the hills, and goes down onto its Creekside Trail entrance near the Monterey-Salinas highway. Having gone downhill by bike, which was really fun with its slopes and dips, provided me with a natural rollercoaster that demands both speed and concentration.

However, the mountain bike trail portion of Mark’s Canyon comes to an end once the trail widens into the road. From there, the road leads down to Mark’s Ranch, an 1800s chicken farm. Its old architecture and walled-off garden add depth to the park’s history. Mark’s Canyon has a creek that runs full after a rainy spring and contains a lush variety of plants under the oaks and sycamores. Rocky outcrops peer over the branches of the trees, providing some geological sightseeing. Mark’s Canyon also has off-trails that conveniently lead up into Toyon Ridge. Where the canyon widens, closer to the Creekside Trail entrance, cows can be seen grazing peacefully in a fenced-off area. Mark’s Canyon is one of my favorite areas to visit for a great mountain bike downhill, shortcut, or casual wooded stroll down the much less intense dirt road portion. 

In my early days of exploring, I started with brief trips to explore shorter trails. I took notes and pictures to piece together how they connected on my map of Toro Park. I was sure to remember their length and difficulty. I also needed to remember the points at which many intersected, as a wrong turn can be a hassle when exploring. 

 

With a solid understanding of one area, planning trips to new sections of the park became much easier. And as I put together larger trips, I knew I would have to go during the summer as I would have enough daylight if I set out early enough. And of course I would not be in school! 

 

So, when I did go on big trips, like to Black Mountain, one of the highest peaks in the park, I was sure to take adequate supplies of water and make sure I knew the most efficient way back. I logged these journeys in a notebook, noting what I saw, the challenges presented, and anything I could have done differently, as I knew learning and remembering from my adventures was the best way for me to head into new ones. I still take this detailed approach as I continue to explore Toro Park, and it’s nice to see everything I've covered once I put it down on paper. 

 

Now documenting the park like I do isn’t the only way to enjoy what it has to offer. Toro Park has great trails for one-time visitors or the casual hiker and is a top-notch spot for honing some mountain biking skills or being on the lookout for some local wildlife. No matter your reason for visiting, consider making room in your springtime schedule for a great day in Toro Park! 

 
Nicholas Jachno is a junior at Salinas High School. He loves writing, biking and hiking. He's also busy volunteering after school. He lives in Las Palmas II with his family.