Forest of Nisene Marks

Forest of Nisene Marks

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	Forest of Nisene Marks
Location:	California - Bay Area
Nearest Town:	Aptos
Directions to Trailhead:	Highway One south to Seacliff Beach exit. Make a left back over the freeway, and turn right on Soquel Drive. Park entrance is about 1/2 up the road on the left.
Trail Description:	Two options: main fireroad which takes you up to a great view of Monterey Bay at Sand Point Overlook. Climbers can continue up and the trail eventually connects with Soquel Demonstration Forest (also reviewed here). Other option is to ride the legal singletrack loop south of the steel bridge.
Trail Length:	Singletrack loop - about 4 miles, Fireroad about 12 each way
Trail Type:	Singletrack & Fire Roads
Skill Level:	Trails for all skill levels
Submitted By:	Steven Chae

sillybilly from CA Date: May 10, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: none, it's a good place to go exploring. I personally prefer the Water Tower Trail (Cabrillo Trail) but dangit! it's illegal. Just don't get caught by the rangers (Most come out on Saturdays). Other recommended trails in the same area: Demonstration Forest (more advanced), De Laviega
Review: Most of the trails are pretty easy, unless you bike uphill to the demonstration forest (you might as well drive there). The best trails are the illegal ones! It really makes me mad.	Overall Rating:

p2 from soquel ca Date: March 17, 2003 Trail Ridden: Please Select
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: dala top of the world fun
Review: i have ridden buddah at least a dozen times. its only fun for the first time or so but its a medium speed downhill kida.	Overall Rating:

Big D from Santa Cruz Date: February 6, 2003 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: This place is not fun untill you get up to the Demo forest. The fire road might be good if your just trying to get a work out but don't come here for a fun technical ride.	Overall Rating:

hesh crue from east side bitch Date: January 1, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: anything illegal or just go to demo Other recommended trails in the same area: the illegal ones
Review: all you post office kids need to stop building up that double and start hauling wood up into the bushes and making bridges	Overall Rating:

hesh crue from east side bitch Date: January 1, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: anything illegal or just go to demo Other recommended trails in the same area: the illegal ones
Review: all you post office kids need to stop building up that double and start hauling wood up into the bushes and making bridges	Overall Rating:

Robert from Santa cruz Date: November 22, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: also you can take a route through cabbrillo collage at the top but be careful of the cops this trail is called water tower Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: more fun berms jumps a bridge and some really nice drops into intence down hills	Overall Rating:

Jared from St. Cloud MN Date: March 15, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Nisene of Marks Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: I must tell you, that I have ridden the trails of Nisene, more than I can count... The first time that I was blessed to ride the trails, was after the 1981 storm... We had nothing but singal speeds. We hacked and dug our way all the way to Sand Point.. What a sight to see!! We started to ride at least twice a week. I can still close my eyes and know every turn... There was a time that I remember(I am in noo way adivisng this), that we would camp out in this wonderful place... There are some prett interesting thangs bout Nisene.... Happy Riding!!	Overall Rating:

Larry from LaSelvaBeach Date: March 1, 2001 Trail Ridden: Please Select
Recommended Route: Update on my earlier posting........ The General Plan for Nisene Marks is starting up! This is your chance to be heard and to meet fellow bikers who are interested in working together for more trails in the Forest of Nisene Marks. The first public workshop will be held March 11, 2001 at Soquel High School, located at 401 Old San Jose Rd., Soquel CA, 95073. There will be an informal open house beginning at 2pm, followed by a formal presentation at 4pm, followed by a public comment period. See ya there! Other recommended trails in the same area: nada......
Review: Please remember, only trails below the steel bridge are open for bikes, above the steel bridge, fire roads onlu, until you enter Soquel Demonstration Forest up above. It is important, especially during this time to follow the rules! Don't ruin the chances we have.	Overall Rating:

Patty from Date: January 18, 2001 Trail Ridden: Please Select
Recommended Route: Drop off the backside into the Demo for some really sweet singletrack! Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Check out my post for Soquel State Forest. The Braille trail, one of the coolest singletracks on the backside of Nisene, will be OPENED for legal riding this spring. Also see http://www.stanford.edu/~imahorse/ for details.	Overall Rating:

MAX from E.S, Santa Cruz Date: January 8, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: All of them Other recommended trails in the same area: De La Veaga; above the disc-golf course.
Review: The left side has a lot more trails than the right. The wide roads are fun, single tracks are very good, and the chutes are very fun. The right side of the road has one of the gnarliest chutes I have ever seen. This place is best when muddy.	Overall Rating:

mikeb from san francisco Date: December 14, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: park in aptos, take the horrific eight mile fire road climb up, single track right. stop at the picnic table and have a "safety meeting" and singletrack your way into soquel demonstration forest. descend down some pretty serious singletrack trails to the fire road to the paved road, ride up the paved road to the fire road on the right, climb back up into nicene marks and descend one of the premier high speed fire road descents in the bay area. Other recommended trails in the same area: i'd like to explore the santa cruz area a little bit more...
Review: once again, the fireroad back down into aptos is THE BOMB if you like to ride downhill REALLY FAST on fairly smooth fire roads. the singletrack trails in soquel and the other portions of nicene marks are outstanding as well. this stuff probably is'nt suitable for neophyte mountain bikers--stay in the marin headlands and china camp until you get used to clocking along singletrack trails at a good clip.	Overall Rating:

Pepi from Marin Date: September 28, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Up to sand point and then to the summit. If you're ready for an epic ride hit the back side single track. Other recommended trails in the same area: I recommend doing the backsid of Nisene. The single track is legal and very fun. You get to see a wide variety of terrain. My five star rating is for the BACKSIDE ONLY!!!
Review: The fire road up to sand point is fairly uneventful. I ride it to keep up my leg strength. If you go down from sand point it is a quick steep down hill that keeps you begging for more but only takes about five minutes to complete. The down side is that you won't end up where you started in Nisene, but on Olive Springs RD.	Overall Rating:

Red Fred from Capitola Date: August 20, 2000 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: Olive Springs Other recommended trails in the same area: Done em all
Review: Reading the other reviews no has mentioned Olive Springs. Go up Old San Jose Rd. from Soquel to Olive Springs Rd. Follow that for a mile or so you will get to the end of the road there will be a gate on your right across from the quarry weight station. Drop in their follow the fire road across the creek a few times then the fun starts steep fire road climb to Sand Point. Their are a couple super steep chutes and once you leave the creek you heart rate is not coming down till Sand Point quarnteed. Try It!	Overall Rating:

dustin from aptos ca usa Date: May 28, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: take single track down and cross the creek and you will get a longer ride on some techinal trails Other recommended trails in the same area: illegal trails of nisen marks
Review: this is a great place to ride has a great "get in shape training ride" up to sand point and some fun trails like W.R. (this is an illegal trail) but a great deal of legal trails with steep descents and sick drop offs you want to keep the seat down here unless your going to the top. i say this is a great place for riders of any caliber form the kids on the $100 to the racers on the $5000 bikes	Overall Rating:

Dan from CA Date: April 4, 2000 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Do the singletrack at the bottom like the others say. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: The singletrack at the start is kinda fun but it is pretty short, and since you're just going parallel to the road it it felt kind of redundant. Once you get to the steel bridge there's nothing but a fireroad that goes up forever. I don't find that particularly fun. It's mostly a middle chainring climb and you can go fast, but it seems to go on forever. There are a couple places that look like mosquito breeding grounds. On the lower parts there was a fair amount of hikers, and someone with a baby carriage so that gives you an idea of how technical this trail is. We rode past sand point all the way up, and went back the same way. The downhill is long and flat...it's fairly fun but it's just a long flat road, and I was starving after the long climb (bring food). I think the only reason I would ever do this again is if I lived nearby, or as an addon to Soquel which you can ride into. It gets 2 stars for the scenery and workout factor.	Overall Rating:

GotsTaChill from Santa Cruz Date: December 23, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Any which way is fine. Other recommended trails in the same area: Wilder Ranch--bring lots of water.
Review: This park is great. The fireroad is always in good shape--even during the rainy season. I enjoy the climb up to Sand Point, but it took a few attempts. The singletrack is fast, with lots of roots and bumps. Another great feature about this park is it doesn't get too hot in the summer. The redwoods provide a natural AC that keeps this forest comfy, whereas if you were on an open ridge out in Wilder Ranch you'd be baking. Keep in mind that the park is closed after dark and even though it may be fun, technically challenging and thrilling, you should not ride here at night.	Overall Rating:

Larry from La Selva Beach Date: December 7, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Start at the bottom..........and go up! Sand Point is a good turn around point, good views, lots of fellow bikers if the weather is nice. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Thought I'd share some info about the park. I'm on the staff at Nisene ( Maintenance Supervisor ) and just a reminder,,,,,all single track above the Steel Bridge is ILLEGAL!! However,,,,,there possibly could be changes in the future, if you get involved. There is a group forming to address the bike issues at the park, and the State will be putting together a General Plan to guide any future decisions that are made. This park belongs to the citizens of California, and this group is a chance to voice your opinions and get involved. Need info? E-mail me and I will send you a flyer that has been circulated around the county.	Overall Rating:

justabill from San Jose Date: April 20, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Take the fire road up, any singletrack before the steel bridge is fair game. There is a nice loop that starts near the bottom, it loops back up at Georges camp. Other recommended trails in the same area: Soquel Demo Forest, Wilder Ranch
Review: Good place to take someone new to Mt biking if they are in good shape. The fire road is like riding up a regular dirt road without the cars. It's a very gentle climb through the redwood trees for the first few miles. When you reach the foot bridge, things start to pick up, and I do mean UP. The climb to Sand Point is a workout for anyone, and you can continue your workout to the top. Here you can turnaround for a fast 12 mile downhill, or drop down into Soquel Demo Forest. The trail Head for SDF is off to your left. SDF will add another 16 miles to the ride, and some fun challenging singletrack. Chack out the reviews of SDF for details. I'll give the ride 5 fat tires 1.it is a good workout. 2.fun downhill 3.not too many bikers, or hikers past the foot briidge 4.great scenery, and not too muddy in the winter, or hot in the summer. 5.good for all levels, as it starts off easy, then gets steeper, then (sdf)tchnical. After the ride drop in to "Pacific Rim Buffet" for an all you can eat asian food feed.	Overall Rating:

Ralph from Santa Cruz, CA Date: April 12, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Head up Aptos Creek Rd. to Sand Point Overlook. From there you have lots of options... Do West Ridge and Pig Trail for chure. Other recommended trails in the same area: Wilder, De La Viega Park
Review: I haven't gone much farther than Sand Point Overlook, but everything so far has been plush. From there you can go left and hit West Ridge, or keep going for a couple more miles and turn right onto Pig Trail. Or, scream back down the fire road for a shorter ride. When the weather clears up I'm going to give Buddha and Big Slide a try. Note all these rides are illegal except for Aptos Creek Rd... do them on the weekdays only (and move those damn stumps that the rangers love to throw on the trails).	Overall Rating:

Dick Fitzwell from Monterey, CA. Date: November 21, 1998 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: Only 1 way from Aptos that I know of. Climb fireroad to Sandpoint (Appox. 9mi. / 1500ft.) overview & drop in or continue 2mi. to top & Demonstration Forest. Other recommended trails in the same area: Demo. Forest: Tractor Trail, Sulpher Springs trails rock for decents! (Jumps, berms, etc.). Obviously made by bikers......
Review: Most singletrack seems to be OB but are really worth the effort & risk. Westridge, Budha & BigSlide will have you coming back again & again.	Overall Rating:

Kyle L. from Santa Cruz Mtns. Date: November 20, 1998 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: Go up the Aptos Creek Fire Road, then go throught Soquel Demonstration Forest. After your done with that, go back down the fire road. Other recommended trails in the same area: Soquel Demonstration Forest
Review: If you want a good workout, this would be a perfect trail for you, but if your looking for singletrack, don't bother coming. These trails here are mostly fire road and the little singletrack here isn't bad, but it's not worth coming except if you live around here. The fire roads are a constant uphill and somewhat boring. A good alternative would be Wilder Ranch or Soquel Demonstration Forest.	Overall Rating:

Steve from Gilroy Date: October 27, 1998 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Up Nisene Marks to the top. If you feel strong and energetic, continue left at the top into Demonstration forest; some of the best downhill singletrack in the state and it goes on for miles. You can follow any of three trails and it all brings you back to the fireroad climb back up thru Buzzard's Lagoon and back to Nisene Marks and down back to where you started. Other recommended trails in the same area: Wilder Ranch in Santa Cruz. Short climbs and nice singletrack.
Review: First 12 miles is a fireroad climb up to the top of Nisene Marks, then the fun starts when you hit the singletrack from the top and decend down some nice sweeping, winding singletrack; SWEEEEET!!!! Then starts a 4 mile climb up the fireroad back to Nisene Marks. Then it's 12 miles back down to where you started from. Give yourself some time to finish this route. It's about 35 to 40 miles total and will take 3 1/2 to 4 hours to complete.	Overall Rating:

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