Fort Ord

Fort Ord

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	Fort Ord
Location:	California - Bay Area
Nearest Town:	Salinas
Directions to Trailhead:	Hyw. 68 to Reservation Rd. or Laguna Seca Recreation Area entrances.
Trail Description:	Sandstone base. Choice riding in winter months, dunes during the summer.
Trail Length:	miles
Trail Type:	Singletrack & Fire Roads
Skill Level:	Trails for all skill levels
Submitted By:	Dick Fitzwell

Bill Descantes from San Mateo Date: June 30, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: using your bike Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Very fun singletrack. Can really complain about the track its a good one. This trail is unmarked, however you'll know youre on it if your smiling and flying along a little trail next to a stream in the bottom of a valley. Be careful in certain weather conditions. Can get very muddy and slippery after heavy rain. Watch out for some of the trail signs that are misplace. I crashed into one and ever since that day I only have had one testicle. So you can say its a ball smashing trail. Vere right and You'll come out on "rail trail" then be emptied out onto either mor single track (if you go right) or go left and get onto some narrow dirt roads (perfect for railing with your buddies) you'll take a hard left then drop down a little chute and off a jump next to a little dried out pond. Go right and take the fire road down to 7-11 parking lot.	Overall Rating:

Keith from MONTEREY Date: June 3, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Want a good XC traning ride? Other recommended trails in the same area: Wilder ranch. Pebble Beach.
Review: Park in Laguna Seca Camp ground. Then drop into 47 couch canyon. Take to top of hurl hill, turn right on the fire road. Take that to the split, then stay to the left of the fire road split. Bomb down to 44 S*@T house,"Be careful" a lot of loose gravel on the fire road. Take 44 to the bottom of the "S" turns, then turn right and go to 41 goat trail, your first trail on the left. 41, goat trail about a 1/2 mile into it splits in 2 directions, stay to your right and enjoy the roller coaster ride. At the bottom of goat trail, you will be on jacks rd. Take a left and go up until hit 10. That will be the 1st trail on the left. Go up the hill on 10 then your 1st trail on the right is going to be 42 red rock ridge."Extremely Dangerous Trail" hold on for you life on this trail. When or if you get to the bottom of this trail. You will be at the bottom of the grind. When the fire road splits stay to your right head up pilarcitos cyn rd "the grind". At the top, loop around and head down skyline rd until you hit 47. It's a little climb, but the fast single track back to your car its worth it. Take 47 down to the wooden fence pole. Turn right and pedal back to your ride. Approx 17 miles. Enjoy the ride..........	Overall Rating:

Patrick Garcia from Salinas Date: April 24, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: chp,laguna seca, east garrison Other recommended trails in the same area: toro- if you like to climb this is the trail for you, a straight shot to the top leaves an amazing ride down on linsay's trail(careful when wet)
Review: i ride the chp about once a week and i never cease to have fun riding it. they re-cut parts of goat trail and ewok trail, as well as re cutting the entire trail on the hill inbetween the two (sweet ride). check it out. East garrison gate is off reservation road over towards marina, i have only gone over there a couple of times, but if you find out where you are going it can be a heck of a ride, one of the best around. laguna seca is just the back side of chp. its where they start sea otter etc. go from there, then thru the chp side and back up skyline road, its a butt kicker	Overall Rating:

Big D from Santa Cruz Date: February 6, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: None I Know Of
Review: Fort Ord extreamly easy to get lost in because of its size and the fact that many of the trails are abondend and no longer maintained. Most of the time I ride here I go to the end of reservation road, turn off at the Highway potroll staition and ride from there. But a few days ago I started at the Lagona Saca side. It was much more sandy and the trails were much more boring. I highly recomend startiging at the HP station. Always bring your own map they are often out at the trail head	Overall Rating:

Jim Ryan from Los Gatos, CA USA Date: December 21, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Start at 68 and Reservation Road. Take 30 to Old Reservation Road. Pick up a map, choose and follow the singletrack west. Drop down into Red Rock Ridge, up Ewok to the Goat trail, Jacks to 02, either 02 or 31 down to your car. Other recommended trails in the same area: Coe (Middle Ridge). Heard Toro is good, haven't tried it.
Review: Great winter ride! The conditions shape up for a great time following the winter rains. Go there when you can't ride in the Demo Forest or ECDM because of the mud. Red Rock is the tightest and scariest downhill since MROSD closed Moodies and Faceplant. This trail is the reason we ride bikes off road rather than golf (It's great when your sport scares you). The Goat Trail is one of the most fun rides in the area.	Overall Rating:

veinr from San Marcos CA Date: October 11, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: park at reservation rd. and chp.,ride sport loop Other recommended trails in the same area: Toro, Jacks, SDF, Wilder.
Review: Haven't ridden this trail since i lived here two years ago. It's true what they say about not being the same when you go home. It was pretty sandy. Guess the lack of rain this year has really hurt this area. Ewok was fun.They closed part of manzanita evidently due to restoration efforts. The rock garden was still pretty much the same:fast and fun. Red rock was pretty beaten up though. The grind hasn't changed at all. The beginning of the Sea Otter course is still fast as hell. Was confused once I finished the hardpacked single track in the open field area between couch canyon and hurl hill. Saw some trail closed signs pointing in the wrong direction after I was way to comitted. Got on the white road to Goat. They flattened out the jump at the beginning of the goat. The next section was still very fast though. Didn't even recognize some sections of the lower part of the goat. roda around the pond, took the sport loop turnout to the top of boyscout and then the paved road to the parking lot. Have a lot of sweet as well as painfull memories of this place. still has a lot of good riding but the conditions really make you want to join in the trail maintenance effort. looks like there has been a lot of work done. maybe more trail closures and some badly needed rain would help.	Overall Rating:

Rickerr from Salinas, CA Date: October 7, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Start from the old Fort Ord hospital area and work your way east heading towards either Laguna Seca or Salinas. Other recommended trails in the same area: Starting off of Reservation Rd. headed towards Salinas and the CHP station. Also, starting over by 7-11 off of highway 68 heading towards Marina.
Review: This side of Ft.Ord is a little milder than what you'll find towards highway 68. It has the monster climbs and single track if you know where to go. If you don't you may keep running into the giant sand trails. I've find alot more variety of trails on this side of the fort, whether its fire roads, single tracks, steep hills, or small ones. There's also a couple of ponds where you kick back if you want. Beware of the mountain lion in this area. He was spotted around trail 17 a few times. Overall, the hospital side is great for those who would rather enjoy a ride rather than torture yourself to get over Mt.Everest sized hills the whole ride. In the summer sand plays a big factor, but in the winter the riding is alot better.	Overall Rating:

adam noto from capitola, ca Date: April 3, 2000 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Trail # 30, to #03, to #36, to Red Rock, to Ewok, to Goat Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Check out my review of this trail on my website: http://www.geocities.com/gohikesbasecamp Go to the adventure tab and follow the link to Fort Ord!	Overall Rating:

Matt from Seaside, CA Date: March 6, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Start from either Laguna Seca, on Ft. Ord, or just off of 68 at the state police barracks. Pick a trail and see where it takes you. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: I have been riding these trails pretty much every weekend for 6 months now and still find new trails every time I go out there. Only downfall is every now and again you'll hit a bed of sand you're not getting through. Wait until it rains and hit these trails, you'll come back for more.	Overall Rating:

Keira from Royal Oaks, CA Date: December 30, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: The link below has a map - click on "maps" and you will find the map in two parts. It is very useful. Other recommended trails in the same area: Toro Park
Review: http://www.redshift.com/~montereyjack/	Overall Rating:

allen from salinas Date: December 22, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: up the pave left up the dogs tail down switchbacks up the bitch then back to the pave up to smokey joes down the fireroad to the goat at the end go left on the fireroad then right to the bonus track. Many different trails and hidden sweet spots with steep drops. Other recommended trails in the same area: pacific grove
Review: go to red rock and drop in on the turkey also tech 1 and tech 2 are choice.	Overall Rating:

Mary from Carmel Date: October 7, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Either start at the 7-11 or the dirt parking lot outside of the park. Lots of riders meet at the 7-11 parking lot, so if your'e in need of riding partners you may find one leaving from here. I beleive its the Toro Regional Park exit off of hwy 68 in between Salinas and Monterey. Go into Toro Regional Park and go up Oliason trail. Continue to go up sand hill, over Eagles peak then continue north, towards Salinas, back up hill. Stay on this and you'll eventually end up in Pine Canyon over by Indian Springs on River Road. Ride the road back or leave a car in Pine Canyon. Its about a 20 minute road ride back to 7-11. Other recommended trails in the same area: Tons of great trails here. Go explore. Great winter riding. These trails are why the Sea Otter race is so popular.
Review: This is called the Black mountain ride. Its a tough ride and can take a good 3 or 4 hours round trip. I always see Horny toads on this ride. They must like it up there. The trail can be a little over grown in some spots but just keep going. Its a great "epic" ride. Tons of climbing and fun descending. Make sure youre up for a long ride. Can get windy sometimes on the top of black mountain.	Overall Rating:

Milo from Monterey Date: October 6, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Start at Toro Park 7-11 parking lot. Go east under hwy 68 into Toro Reg. park. Go up sand or s%@& hill then over I think its Eagles peak at bottom take left then your next left onto Dave's trail. Awesome trail that requires your undivided attention if you carry some speed. Very fun singletrack. Ranks up there with some of the best. This trail is unmarked, you'll know youre on it if your smiling and flying along a little trail next to a stream in the bottom of a valley. Can get very muddy and slippery after heavy rain. You'll come out on "rail trail" then be emptied out onto either mor single track (if you go right) or go left and get onto some narrow dirt roads (perfect for railing with your buddies) you'll take a hard left then drop down a little chute and off a jump next to a little dried out pond. Go right and take the fire road down to 7-11 parking lot. Other recommended trails in the same area:* Airplane trail, Red rock, and some other secret trails.
Review: See above	Overall Rating:

Dana from Monterey, CA Date: August 16, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: From the CHP gate to Sea Otter sport loop (ridge trail)Tony's trail, red rock,up ewock to purple, fire road to top of cork screw, over to Bud Lite loop, up hurl hill, down to goat, back up to ridge trail, take the "jumps" down to pavement (where you started)cross take single track to CHP gate. Other recommended trails in the same area: The north (hospital) side of Fort Ord hard pack fast and fun
Review: Basically this is the Sea Otter loop starting in the middle with some conector trails thrown in. I have ridden different variations of this route but this seems to maximize the high speed decents. There is plenty of climbing and takes in most of the "good stuff" It's about 20 miles and takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours at moderate to fast pace. The place can cook so bring lots o'water. I ride mostly weekends or mornings during the week.	Overall Rating:

Toby Peters from Date: July 30, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Take Highway 68 to Reservation Road, turn at the State Police sign and park at the dead end. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Head up on the pavement, take the first right after the sign post. Follow trail up, cross over pavement. Take first right up hill, follow trail. When you get to pavement again, go right then first left. Follow trail to Red Rock, take it down. End of Red Rock, left and left again. At intersection, go across, you are now on Goat Trail. Follow all of goat trail, you end up at the lake. Take a right at the end of the trail, and the first left. This takes you to a housing area where after a short half mile ride you are back at the car. Its a good 1.5 hour max ride. Take it easy on Red Rock, it can kick your ass bad.	Overall Rating:

John Kochis from Monterey Date: July 10, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: You can get to Planet Ord via hwy 1 or 68. The best part about biking in Ord is that there is minimal trafic if you like pavement, and none if you like trails, fire roads, and spur roads. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: You'll encounter lot's of dirt roads, some overgrown with scrub brush and erroded. You'll also find some great trails. If you don't like sand it might not be your cup o tea. You don't run into alot, but there are sections that you kind of have to surf thru. It's a blast to ride and can get a litttle techinical when it comes to some fo the erroded areas. A word of advice, some areas of Ord are being swept for exlposives by EOD (Ordinance Disposal Guys). There are areas that you can't go and they're clearly marked. I ride 3 times a week at Ord and have run into the EOD guys a few times. If you stay on the trails or fire roads you shouldn't have a prob. If you want to avoid the EOD guys, ride on the weekends or on friday (they aren't around then).	Overall Rating:

Dennis Conte from San Jose Date: June 10, 1999 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: It is best to start from the raceway at the Bosch overpass. The route to take is the one used for the 24hrs of Adrelanin Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: The ride starts off with single track and there is sand on some of the first ascents, stay to the right of it, then the trails picks up speed as you begin to descend into the valley, in the spring high grass can hide the trail, watch out for ticks, then you begin to make moderate climbs out of the valley all on single track. You will get to what is affectionally call Hurl hill. It is a short vertical climb but doable. Once you have passed that you will turn right on the ifrewall and let it fly, you will go about 3/4 of a mile to a mile before turn back on to single track, it will be a left turn. The final climb out is on a fireroad call the Grind and it is certainly that, about 2 miles. This is a very fun ride.	Overall Rating:

Benny from CA Date: April 12, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Start @ the race track, Goat trail, red rock etc. Other recommended trails in the same area: Singletracks that allow you to use speed. It is pretty open so even if you do see someone hiking or riding you have plenty of time to react.
Review: Try finding a ranger at the camp sites or shooting range to get maps from them. Or if you are lucky they will be in the $5 toll booth on the way in.	Overall Rating:

Monster T from Orange County, CA Date: April 7, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a year
Recommended Route: Goat Trail Singletrack to Fire Road that leads to Laguna Seca. Other recommended trails in the same area: Check out the Toro Regional Park across hwy 68 from Fort Ord. It is actually a better place to ride. Killer climbs. It had some El Nino damage last year. I hope that it is fixed now. I plan to be back in the summer.
Review: The Goat Trail is a wild rollercoaster ride. Taste it, it's sweet. All fire roads are decent. This place gets deathly hot in the summer. Don't let its proximity to the Monterey Peninsula fool you. Bring lots of water. For those seeking maps, contact the Bureau of Land Management at (408)637-8183 or email to ca019@ca.blm.gov or call the Hollister Field Office at (831)630-5000.	Overall Rating:

brian from aptos Date: February 18, 1999 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: where can i get a good map of all the trails? i got a bit lost when i went there.any help wuld be appreciated. thanks.	Overall Rating:

Devian from Monterey Date: January 23, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: SEAOTTER LOOP Other recommended trails in the same area: Toro Park..........
Review: Best MTB ride on the Monterey Penninsula. Conditions change alot thru the year. Trail maitenance is alot better now that the BLM is in charge. In the summer the clay is rock hard with a thin layer of loose stuff & the winter gets pretty muddy. Depending of course on the amount of rain. Spring & fall give the best conditions. The soil gets pretty tacky. Also lots of wildlife to be seen during spring & fall, mostly bobcats,mountain lions,turkey,rabbits,hawks,eagles, I even saw a badger once.....	Overall Rating:

johnjohnblazed from marina cali Date: December 30, 1998 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: take the gate close to the CHP station. it is by far the best way to go and have a blast riding. Other recommended trails in the same area: try pebble if you like?
Review: try the red rock trail and the goat trial. they appear to be the best trails i have ridden out there. there are all kinds of conditions to ride. for the first time riders out there, they should be forewarned that this place is not for novices.	Overall Rating:

Greg from Monterey Date: November 23, 1998 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: From CHP up to all the trails. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Whatever you do, make sure to hit couch redrock and billy goat. The rest you have to find. Don't worry its easy.	Overall Rating:

Dick Fitzwell from Monterey, CA. Date: November 21, 1998 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Start from "Yellow Gate". Follow trail markers into bowels of area & make your choices as you go. Other recommended trails in the same area: Toro: "Airplane Trail"
Review: Exceptional burley routes can be chosen from any of the main fire roads throughout the base. Most single track trails not recomended for the "faint of heart" type rider. (Many a rider has left after 1st. ride, never to be seen again!). "Sherwin's" is highly recomended for ego boosting. "Red-Rock" has broken many spirits with intense drops, deep ruts & jagged surface conditions. "Towers" has sent many left mumbling "MEDIC"!	Overall Rating:

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