Coast - Gwen Creek Cook Ridge Loop

Extremely nice walk. Very lush fern understory, some monumental trees. Numerous clumps of Indian Pipe on the Cooks Ridge portion. Hear and occasionally see Gwynn Creek. Local hiker reported chanterelles are plentiful in fall on the Gwynn Creek leg. Only "views" are of the coast when walking leg along Highway 101. Generally easy grade. Shady (90%), lunch at sunny clearing beginning downhill on Cooks Ridge. Recommend doing in counterclockwise direction. Number of other hikers on sunny July Saturday (primarily on Cook Ridge), not surprising given easy access, but not crowded. Parked at access to spur trail on FR 1050 (Cummins Creek trail) because wanted to have option of longer hike that would go up Gwynn Creek and return via Cummins Creek, but did this shorter one after all. Would make more sense to either park a Cape Perpetual visitors center, or the parking lot on Highway 101 if just doing this walk. 07/20/2019 sih, cvg bb partial (bum knee)