Certain types of plants and animals can be seen anywhere in the park. Occasionally there are red-shouldered hawks as well. Danielson advises looking at the tops of trees surrounding meadows to see the hawks. During the winter, visitors with a watchful eye might see predators such as coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. In addition, scarce food causes the animals to spend more time hunting, especially during the day.
Deer are also common in the park.
Gene Salamin, a park visitor, enjoyed the loop trail but also tried to see the rest of the park. My favorite trail is the one that fords the river. Before the land became Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, it had a varied and diverse history. Gold, lumber, and limestone have all been extracted from the land since its discovery. According to State Park Docent Pat Rapp, Ohlone Native Americans, who lived all over Santa Cruz County, survived off the animals and plants living in the park.