Entry No. 26 — the Santa Cruz file — filed under: environmental art

Byrne-Milliron Forest — Jeff Helmer's Hidden Trail Sculptures

For 25-plus years, caretaker Jeff Helmer stewarded this 402-acre redwood forest and quietly tucked his own folk-art carvings and constructions along the trails as, in the Land Trust's words, 'a treat for hikers' — no plaques, no map, you just stumble onto them between old-growth redwoods on the way to A.J.'s Point or the Great White loop. The trailhead itself is an event: turn at the '809' sign off Browns Valley Road and climb a mile-plus of narrow, winding single-lane dirt-and-pavement road to reach parking.

The move: Hike the 2.5-mile Byrne Trail to A.J.'s Point together with no itinerary except 'find the art' — treat Helmer's hidden pieces like an unmarked scavenger hunt, then picnic at the overlook with views across Pajaro Valley to Monterey Bay.

• 📍 Corralitos
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 809 Browns Valley Road, Corralitos, CA 95076

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: santacruz.org · landtrustsantacruz.org

last checked: 2026-07-20