Fremont Peak and Valley View Loop Trail is a 2.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near San Juan Bautista, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.
360 degree view of Monterey Bay, San Benito Valley, Salinas Valley, and the Santa Lucia Mountains east of Big Sur. The trails are very nicely up-kept, and wide enough for two people. For the less eager there is a great resting spot with a view south toward Salinas, a wooden bridge and a bench looking out south. In the summer heat, refuge can be found in the shade of the alcove behind the bench and north of the bridge.
California state parks website http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=564
Getting to Fremont State Park is an adventure in itself. The actual park is located some 11 miles south of San Juan Bautista. To get there turn off of Highway 156 onto San Juan Canyon Road. Follow the signs to the left and follow the road for 11 miles. The drive takes about 25 to 30 minutes depending on how fast traffic is moving. Watch for turkey vultures as they soar above canyons in search of food. Other wildlife includes coyotes, snakes, deer, bobcats, raccoon, and even the occasional fox! At night the observatory occasionally opens up to the public and visitors can see the stars from the 30-inch observatory telescope. The peak is 3169 feet above sea level and gets its current name from Army Captain John C. Fremont when he built a strategic fort on top of the mountain in 1846. Camping is available to the public at a first come first serve basis but you can make reservations ahead of time to ensure a site is saved for you. There are three main campgrounds, Valley View Campground, Oak Point Campground, and Doe Flat group campground. There is one flush toilet near the entrance of the park, and plenty of non-flush toilets litter the park.
very nice trail and views. a lil overgrown with poison oak but not bad at all, passable.
Lots of poison ivy overhanging the trail going down from near campsite 9, single wide path. Poison ivy gone in uphill section of trail towards oak grove campsites. This section from oak grove with a small side jaunt on part of Cold springs trail is double wide. Also has two picnic tables in a medium size clearing as it connects to the Cold Springs Trail. Overall it is a nice walk in the forest. The Cold Springs Trail has caught my interest. I will go back and do that full trail later.
I was lost for the first 30 minutes because of how overgrown everything was. Even after I found my way, the pathway was still unclear and with that being said, I wasn't able to enjoy the scenery as much, in fear of being lost again.
Got confused with finding the trail path, since there aren’t very clear signs to follow. The valley view trail was a little overgrown and not clearly marked. There is some incline, but it’s not too tough. The trail leading up to the peak was more defined, but be careful for how rocky it is. Really enjoyed the clouds, birds, and wildflowers!
Beautiful hike! Definitely doesn’t take 2 hours to complete but I stopped a lot for pictures. Parking is $6 so make sure you have cash. There was a little bit of snow on the ground coming down from the Fremont Peak Loop!
Agree with previous reviewers. Poorly maintained trail and the ranger that hides in the bushes to give out parking tickets. Went to the restroom after a long drive to that park and came back to a parking ticket. 8 mins max. Almost as bad as the parking ninjas at SFPD. Calm down, I said "almost." Would not recommend. Will not be going back.
very dependent place. We were there today 1/1/2017 (yes, new year's date). It was 38 degree, super super windy with mist. For some, it wouldn't be fun but we liked it. We felt like walking in clouds and with strong misty wind, our minds were blown. It should be a great trail on sunny day as well. Go!
This trail is awful. The flies in this park are relentless (no amount of bug repellent helped quell the hordes of them incessantly following us EVERYWHERE) and the park staff does a terrible job of trail upkeep. Virtually no path to follow, overgrowth, and not many trail heads to be found.