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Grant Ranch County Park |
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Grant Ranch County Park |
| Grant Ranch County Park | |
Location: |
California - Bay Area |
Nearest Town: |
San Jose |
Directions to Trailhead: |
Take highway 680 north, exit at Alum Rock to the east. Turn right on Mt. Hamilton Road and proceed 8 miles up the road till you see the entrance to Grate Ranch County Park on your left-hand side. It will cost you $4 to enter the park, and you can get a map at the entrance. |
Trail Description: |
Great park, many trails. I did Hotel trail all the way up, and took los Huecos trail (from the other side of Mt. Hamilton road) the way down. NOTE: This is a very steep trail, at least for my opinion, but then again, I’m a beginner so maybe it does not consider as a difficult one. It took me 3.5 hours to get all the way up to the apex, a 1000 fit of incline, with many stops to rest. But the downhill ride worth it, although it last only 15 minutes!! If you don’t want to go all the way up, and you can make it with two vehicles there is a solution... You can park one car at the park, and take the bikes on the second car up on Hamilton road till you get a parking area to the left of the road. You can go north towards Los Huecos trail, or south, and ride Hotel trail downhill. |
Trail Length: |
10 miles |
Trail Type: |
Fire Roads |
Skill Level: |
Advanced |
Submitted By: |
DD |
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Trail Ridden: Ridden Once |
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Recommended Route: We took the loop starting Twin Gates to Canada de Pala, which according to a guide book was easy and is about 8.5 miles.
Other recommended trails in the same area: |
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Continue up this trail and you pass two gates. At the fork at Canada de Pala/Pala Seca we took the right side (ccw) - which to me was the better direction because the climb was straight forward. |
Overall Rating:
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Trail Ridden: Once a week |
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Recommended Route: If you like to ride to Grant Ranch instead of taking the car therefore earning the name'hardcore,Take Quimby Road.It's steep,narrow and you'll scrape bar-end to car door if you don't take sharp corners carefully.This will take you past the horse ranch to your right and turn right.You'll see the park and you'll see the Hotel trail that climbs with a slight bend.This looks easy from the entrance. The ride is recommended for beginners to expert.Bring plenty of water and do wear a helmet.Check your speed. If the beginner wants an idea of what a race course is about,this is it.
Other recommended trails in the same area: |
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You can take rigids,hardtails and duelies and ride fast.You need good knobs and brakes and you'll use them!I used to use Specialized's old Ground Controls but now use Hutchinson Mosquitos and Python Airlights. This initial ride from the first gate is a nice downhill ride with sweeping right benders.Just make sure that if you have f/r specific treads,especially up front,make sure those are in the correct direction or you'll find yourself ditching your bike on the off camber turns.Wearing a helmet is strongly recommended. Before you hit the Lower Hotel,gear down to your granny gear and pace yourself.Don't try to burn your friends because you have more hills like this one.This climb is a little of hardpack,loose dirt and rocks and it's steep enough to lift up your front end so keep your butt way back and your upper body on your front end and use the granny and stay seatedIf you have enough strength left over and your friends are panting,you can sprint the rest of the way up.You'll get some downhill time before you hit another gate on your right.Pass this and it's a slow climb.Stay on your middle ring or hit your granny(gear!ha ha).Keep your weight down front or you'll pop a wheelie.My best friend decided to show off and he fell off his rig! Ha! You'll reach the top and then you'll turn left.The right side trail is a horses only trail except for races.You'll have a great view of San Jose.In most cases,you'll be higher the the jet aircraft landing at SJ Airport. You'll get a steady climb and some downhills and there are other trails to your right but keep this one and you'll pick up speed and jump a berm near a gate.I've done this trail on a vet racing rigid frame Stumpjumper recently.You'll get an idea what it was like back in the days. You'll reach a sharp left hand bender,go over a dry or wet stream with rocks.If you're on a rigid,lighten on the grip and stand on the pedals.Hardtails and F/Ss,same thing but keep your weight back. From here it's a long climb with switchbacks to the poser lines.You'll pass wild pigs and babies occasionally.Just don't pick a fight with them unless you can outrun them uphill. You'll pass a small pond to you right and you'll continue climbing.Finally you'll reach the top and have a choice of more climbing or downhilling.I hit the downhill and then reach a sharp turn heading down to the wide riverbed with big and little rocks.This can also be done on a rigid.Finally,you'll have the pleasure of climbing back up the Hotel trail again.Watch your weight and pace youself.When you hit the gate at top,you'll scream down the Hotel which is cool..until you turn a sharp right so hit your brakes easy and lean a hard right when you hit bottom or you'll kiss the fence.Then it's another easy slow climb back up to the first gate leading into the parking lot/restroom area.Or you may do it over again. What's great about this trail is I've never really see horses but I see some runners so be cautious and courteous.Stay off the closed trails.The trails are fast and nicely maintained so be cool.Very little horse doodoo. Have fun! |
Overall Rating:
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Trail Ridden: Once a week |
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Recommended Route: Been riding this park for several years now, and it always can keep you on your toes! Try LineShack if you're up for a burner climb session...
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Trail Ridden: Please Select |
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Recommended Route:
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