Elkhorn Slough is a seven-mile arm of the Monterey Bay between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey on the California Coast. This arm bends as it goes inland, and the Elkhorn Reserve lies at this bend. The Reserve is owned and managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) which partners with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the non-profit Elkhorn Slough Foundation. It is one of 22 national estuarine research reserves in the U.S.
The slough itself is the remainder of an ancient river valley and feeds approximately 2,500 acres of salt marsh, tidal mud flat, freshwater pond, oak woodland, and grassland habitat. Elkhorn Slough is the largest area of tidal salt marsh in California outside of San Francisco Bay.
An estuary is an area where fresh water meets salt water and is one of the most productive of all biological habitats supporting many plant and animal species. While critical habitats, they are among the most endangered by human activities. In California nearly 90% of estuarine habitats have been destroyed.
The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve protects 1,439 acres of this estuary habitat. It is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday each week. Visitors can explore the reserve on one of three main trails. There is no access to the trail system when the Reserve is closed on Monday and Tuesday, and all visitors must check in with a ranger before going on any of the trails. There are about five total miles of dirt and gravel hiking available with one incline on each trail. You can experience oak woodlands, grasslands, the salt marsh, and tidal flats on the trails. There is a paved, accessible path from the visitor center to an overlook. All the other trails are reached from this overlook area. All of the trails have benches periodically placed along the trail where you can sit and watch wildlife or just commune with nature.
The Trails
Trail #1. South Marsh Loop Trail. This is a 2.2-mile loop which can be hiked either clockwise or counterclockwise. The direction you choose may be determined by whether you are hiking at high or low tide (I had to hike counterclockwise as the tide was covering part of the trail in the other direction when I started). There are two extensions that can be included bringing the total hiking distance to 3.4 miles.
At the beginning of the trail you will find two barns. The bigger barn has two owl boxes. In the counter clockwise direction, you will walk through an oak woodland along water. In this area I encountered a large number of buffleheads diving in search of invertebrates. Next, you reach a grassland area where raptors can be watched, and finally, the salt marsh/mudflat area with egrets, herons and a variety of shorebirds.
North Marsh Overlook Extension: (0.6 miles roundtrip). This out-and-back trail heads up a grassland rise to a viewpoint where you can look to the north across tidal mudflats to Kirby Park. Here I was able to see pelicans in the far distance.
Whistle Stop Culvert and Levee Extension, and Hummingbird Island (HBI) Extension: (0.6 miles roundtrip). This out-and-back trail gives you mudflat views before crossing active railroad tracks and up a steep staircase to the crest of the island where you have nice views of the main Elkhorn Slough channel.
Trail #2. Five Fingers Loop Trail. This is a 1.1-mile loop which is fairly flat for the first 0.25 miles before winding down through a eucalyptus forest. There are two extensions that can be added to this trail.
Parsons Overlook Extension (0.6 miles roundtrip) takes you to a high point that overlooks the Slough where occasionally sea otters and seals can be seen. During low tide, this is a good shorebird viewing spot.
The second extension takes you down a steep set of stairs to a wildlife viewing blind above the mudflat.
Trail #3. Long Valley Loop Trail. This is a 0.8-mile dirt path that descends to the water’s edge with a small T-boardwalk over the salt marsh which is currently closed. This trail intersects with the Five Fingers Loop.
Elkhorn Slough is home to a variety birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and mammals. Notably, the Slough has a high concentration of sea otters. At least 100 of them call this area home although I was not lucky enough to see one during my day at the Reserve. The Reserve maintains two “otter cams” for behavior observation. Here is a video of a mother and her baby caught by the otter cam:
Hiking at the Reserve is one way to experience Elkhorn Slough. Another way to explore is on the water. Although you cannot access the water at the Reserve, there are two main locations for launching a kayak or boat – Kirby Park or the Moss Landing Harbor District Launch Ramp. There are kayak rental locations in Moss Landing as well as companies offering tours of Elkhorn Slough. The next time I visit, I will be bringing my kayak to search for that elusive sea otter!