Mountain Biking the Bay Area - Preview by Peter Kelly

BikeMapDude Productions

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Mountain Biking the Bay Area by Peter S. Kelly

2nd edition Copyright 2008 BikeMapDude Productions, Millbrae, CA. All rights reserved. Important Legal Notice Mountain biking is a potentially dangerous activity. Mountain Biking the Bay Area makes no representation as to the safety of the trails described. While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, the editor and publisher assume no liability for any inaccuracies or for any injuries or losses sustained while using this book.

Introduction Ever since the mid-1970s when mountain biking pioneers such as Gary Fisher and Joe Breeze bombed down the trails of Mount Tamalpais on specially rigged bikes, the San Francisco Bay Area has been considered the birthplace of mountain biking. While some riders in Crested Butte, Colorado, and elsewhere might dispute this, there's no arguing the fact that the Bay Area hosts some of the finest riding that can be found anywhere. Mountain Biking the Bay Area gives you the tools to explore the great trails that the Bay Area has to offer. The book's unique concept combines the best aspects of trail books and fold-out maps in a trail-ready and easy-to-use design. Mountain Biking the Bay Area comprises 16 topographical maps of the best riding spots in the Bay Area, all based on U.S. Geological Survey data. Each map shows all bike-legal trails and fire roads for the area and includes ski-map-style symbols denoting trails' difficulty, as well as written descriptions. In addition, the maps include a written overview of the area, two featured rides with directions and on-map guides, and inspiring color photos. Literally hundreds of miles of trails are described, giving you the tools to create an almost unlimited number of rides.

About the Maps The ratings assigned to each of the trails factor in both the trails' technical difficulty and their aerobic difficulty. I've tried to rate the trails conservatively and avoid the pitfalls of some books written by extraordinary riders who underestimate the trails' level of difficulty. In general, trails marked easy are both technically easy and relatively flat. Trails marked intermediate may include some steep sections, but are generally rideable by average recreational riders. Advanced trails are either relentlessly steep fire roads or technically challenging single-track trails. These trails may include some fall-offs and should be approached with caution. Ride Safely While your time on the trails will likely be much less dangerous than the drive (or ride) to the trailhead, there are some hazards that mountain bikers should be aware of. The most obvious - falls, dehydration and equipment failure - can usually be avoided simply by riding within your ability and being prepared with tools, water, and food. Mountain lions and rattlesnakes both inhabit the Bay Area. They will usually go out of their way to avoid humans. In the extremely rare event that you're confronted by a mountain lion, stand tall, make noise, use your bike as a shield/weapon, and fight back if actually attacked. Never run or ride away as this might convince a lion that you're prey. Ride Responsibly Mountain bikers share public trails with a number of other user groups, including hikers and equestrians. Our access to the trails is contingent on our riding responsibly, riding safely and respecting the other user groups. In practical terms this means obeying the posted speed limits and trail closures, passing others with care, being friendly, dismounting when passing horses, and avoiding skidding or otherwise damaging the trails.

Acknowledgments: Cover artwork designed by Mike Bergstrom (www.mikedesignco.com) Elevation profiles were produced using the National Geographic TOPO! software. For more information on TOPO!, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/topo or call (800) 962-1643.

Other Great Local Rides The Bay Area is filled with smaller, easily accessible parks that provide great riding opportunities for riders of all levels. Some of these have a relatively small network of trails while others, such as Grant Ranch County Park, have extensive networks. Below is a list of some of these spots, including web addresses where you can find more information and even trail maps. Water Dog Park - Belmont www.belmont.gov/Upload/Document/ D240001116/OpenSpaceTrailMap2005.pdf Arastradero Park - Palo Alto http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civica/filebank/ blobdload.asp?BlobID=6049 Mid-Peninsula Open Space District - includes the parks listed below: http://www.openspace.org/preserves/ Fremont Older - Saratoga Purisima Creek - Half Moon Bay Sierra Azul - Los Gatos Santa Clara County Parks - includes the parks listed below: www.parkhere.org Grant Ranch County Park - San Jose Santa Teresa County Park - San Jose Almaden Quicksilver - San Jose Harvey Bear Ranch/Coyote Lake - Gilroy Rancho Canada del Oro - San Jose http://www.openspaceauthority.org/Properties/ RCDO.htm East Bay Regional Parks - includes the parks listed below: www.ebparks.org Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park - Pleasanton Del Valle Regional Park - Livermore Joaquin Miller Park - Oakland http://www.oaklandnet.com/JoaquinMillerPark/map.html

Trail Access Organizations International Mountain Biking Association Umbrella organization for local groups www.imba.com Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers South Bay and Peninsula www.romp.org (408) 380-2271 East Bay Bicycle Trails Council www.btceastbay.org (510) 466-5123 Marin Bicycle Trails Council www.btcmarin.org Access4Bikes Marin County www.access4bikes.com Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz www.mbosc.org

Parks and Land Trusts State Parks - www.parks.ca.gov Wilder Ranch State Park - (831) 423-9703 Annadel State Park - (707) 539-3911 China Camp State Park - (415) 456-0766 Mount Tamalpais State Park - (415) 388-2070 Mount Diablo State Park - (925) 837-2525 Henry Coe State Park - (408) 799-2728 Camp Tamarancho Requires an annual or day pass. For more information go to: www.boyscouts-marin.org (415) 454-1081 Marin Headlands www.nps.gov/goga/marin-headlands.html (415) 5614700 Mid-Peninsula Open Space Manages most of the land holdings off of Skyline Boulevard www.openspace.org (650) 681-1200 East Bay Regional Park District Manages many of the East Bay parks www.ebparks.org (510) 635-0135

Mountain Biking the Bay Area Overview Map

Santa Rosa

8 7

Mill Valley

Walnut Creek

Berkeley

6 San Francisco

Map Locator 1. El Corte de Madera Open Space 2. Mid-Peninsula Open Space 3. Wilder Ranch State Park 4. Forest of Nisene Marks/Soquel Demonstration Forest 5. Annadel State Park 6. Marin Headlands 7. Mount Tamalpais State Park 8. China Camp State Park 9. Pine Mountain/Camp Tamarancho 10. Western Marin 11. Tilden/Wildcat Canyon Parks 12. Redwood/Lake Chabot Parks 13. Briones Regional Park 14. Mount Diablo State Park 15. Henry Coe State Park - North 16. Henry Coe State Park - South

San Jose

1 2 15 Morgan Hill

Santa Cruz

Featured Ride1 1 Mileage: 15.4 miles Aerobic: intermediate Technical: advanced intermediate Trailhead: Channel Drive Description: Long stretches of buff single-track punctuated by short, rocky, technical sections characterizes this great route through varied terrain.

Start at the wide parking area on the east side of Channel Drive. Head south on the paved road until you reach the park HQ, where you pick up the Channel Trail. 1.1 miles at horse parking area, head uphill on Warren Richardson Trail. 3.1 miles left on South Burma Trail. 5.3 miles left on Marsh Trail. 6.2 miles stay right on Marsh Trail. 6.7 miles stay right. 7.1 miles stay right. 7.3 miles right on Ridge Trail. 10.6 miles left on Marsh Trail. 12.2 miles right on Canyon Trail (fire road). 12.7 miles stay left on Lake Trail. 12.9 miles left on Rough Go Trail. 13.3 miles right on Orchard Trail. 14.3 miles right on Cobblestone Trail. 15.4 miles Finish.

Featured Ride 2 2 Mileage: 17.5 miles Aerobic: intermediate Technical: advanced intermediate Trailhead: Lawndale parking area Description: Another great sampling of Annadel single-track featuring a sublime final descent on the Lawndale Trail.

Annadel State Park

Mountain Bike Trails

Description: Somehow I made it through eight years living in the Bay Area without experiencing this North Bay gem. I won't be making that mistake in the future. Annadel State Park offers countless miles of challenging-but-not-toochallenging single-track through remarkably diverse and beautiful terrain. The fun quotient is huge, with long, mostly single-track loops possible without the usual killer climbs.

Area Summary Location: Santa Rosa Best For: Intermediates Suitable For: All levels except extreme Ground Cover: Open grasslands, meadows, wooded canyons and a lake. Seasons: Good year round. Hot in summer.

While Annadel is an intermediate rider's dream, advanced riders will still have fun. In fact, before the park was "upgraded" and legalized in the mid-90s, Annadel was known for its gnarly boulder-strewn downhills. Rocks are still prevalent, providing ample technical challenges and sometimes bone-jarring descents. Start at the parking area on Lawndale Road. Head west on Lawndale, a narrow country road. 0.5 miles bear right on Schultz Road. 1.3 miles right on Schultz Trail. Begin moderate singletrack climb. 3.2 miles stay left on Ridge Trail. 6.5 miles left on Marsh Trail. Descend rocky and rutted double-track. 8.1 miles right on Canyon Trail (fire road) towards lake. 8.6 miles stay left. 8.7 miles stay right on Lake Trail. 8.8 miles left on Rough-Go Trail. 9.3 miles stay right on Live Oak Trail. 10.1 miles right on North Burma Trail. 11.1 miles right on Warren Richardson Trail (fire road). 11.3 miles left on South Burma Trail. 13.3 miles left on Marsh Trail. 14.2 miles stay right as Marsh Trail widens into fire road. 14.7 miles left on Lawndale Trail. After a brief rocky section, trail turns into a smooth single-track through sometimes dense forest before opening up into postcardready wine country scenery at the bottom. 17.5 miles Finish.

Annadel is a popular park where hikers, bikers and equestrians have maintained a fragile peace. Please ride with care and respect other users.

Directions to trailhead(s): Annadel State Park is located off Hwy. 12 just east of Santa Rosa. From Hwy. 101, head east on Hwy 12 for 1.5 miles. Take exit and go left on Farmer's Lane (still Hwy 12). In 0.8 miles turn right on Montgomery Drive. Drive 2.7 miles and turn right on Channel Drive. Parking is available on Channel Drive or you can drive a mile further to the park. The Lawndale trailhead is located just northwest of the town of Kenwood on Hwy 12. From Santa Rosa continue on Hwy 12 for 6.6 miles past the Montgomery Drive turn-off. Go right on Lawndale Road and follow it 1.2 miles to the trailhead parking area. .

BikeMapDude Productions Mountain Bike Trail Guides

Looking for more great mountain biking maps? Go to:

www.bikemapdude.com BikeMapDude Productions Millbrae, CA 94030

Important Legal Notice Mountain biking is a potentially dangerous activity. The trail guide makes no representation as to the safety of the trails described. While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, the editor and publisher assume no liability for any inaccuracies or for any injuries or losses sustained while using this guide.

Spr

Annadel State Park Stinson Legend Beach Easy

i ng e Lak

Park HQ

1.1

Y1 2

Intermediate Difficult Extreme

n ne

Trail Intersection Featured Ride 1

D ri

ve C

1.0

h an

Cobbleston e Tr ai l

Fire Road Single-track 0.9

Trailhead

r th Burma

View Steep hill - arrow points

uphill

Contours = 200'

a Tr

Ride Number Bathrooms

e n Ri c ha r rd 1.0 so

0.8

0.9

L i ve Oa k T ra

Tr a i l

Parking Road

1.1

Or c h a r d

a Tr

0.7

Featured Ride 2

ne l

s r in

r g C ee

0.3

Lake Ilsanjo

yT ra

il Tra

S o u t h Bu rm a 2.1

on Tr ail

r ai kT

0.5

1.2

1.5

2.2 M a r s h Tr a i l

1.6

Lawndale

The Trails

oa d L awn dal e R

South Burma Trail - Moderately technical single-track through mixed forest and open meadows. Some rocky sections. 3.0

Ridge Trail - Another long stretch of single-track featuring rocky open sections and smooth, fast forested sections.

La wnda le

3.3

Cobblestone Trail - Rocky sometimes technical single-track.

a il

Orchard Trail - Moderately technical single-track through oak woodlands Live Oak Trail - Technical, rocky single-track Lawndale Trail - Fun single-track flows into and out of deep evergreen forest. Channel Trail - Flat single-track through wooded terrain

Ridg Ground Cover Open grasslands Forest Scrub Farmland, orchards

e Tr a i

Ledson Marsh P i g F lat Tr a i

R oad

Rough-Go Trail - Rocky and technical single-track through open grasslands

S c h u l t z Tra i l

1.9 0.8

Sc h ult z

Marsh Trail - Mix of fire road and single-track through changeable terrain.