Skeggs Route Recomendation

stvberry · Jun 28, 2007

I'm planning a visit to Monterey next week and was hoping to meet a buddy of mine from Santa Rosa for a ride. Skeggs looks like it would be a good meeting point for us and from what I've read here in this forum, it sounds awesome.:eekster:

I've downloaded the trail map from the preserve site. Can anyone volunteer moderate/fun loop that would get us on the "not to miss" trails? I looks tricky and I would like to avoid a death march. My buddy only rides once in awhile and I don't want to make a complete day of it.:nono:

Anyway to keep this ride under 2000ft of climbing? We will have two cars if there is anyway to semi shuttle. Any tips are greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to getting out of our 100+ temperatures and in the shade of those redwoods!! :thumbsup:

Thanks for any help.

Denis · Jun 29, 2007

stvberry said:
...

Anyway to keep this ride under 2000ft of climbing? We will have two cars if there is anyway to semi shuttle. Any tips are greatly appreciated.

...
Thanks for any help.

How many miles / how long of a ride are you looking for? Do you prefer single track / rocky / fireroads?

stvberry · Jun 29, 2007

Denis said:
How many miles / how long of a ride are you looking for? Do you prefer single track / rocky / fireroads?

Thanx Denis.

Probably 10 to 12 miles or a couple hours of riding. I just talked to my buddy and he said he's in pretty horrible shape right now. I like to torture him but I don't want it to be a death march. We would like to get as much single track as possible. I think I have figured out which trails are not to be missed from this board.

I guess what I'm looking for is advice on what trails are in the best shape now and not to be missed? And also any long brutal climbs to avoid if possible when planning a loop. Any recommendation is greatly appreciated!

Thanks again.

singlespeed.org · Jun 29, 2007

There is a recommended route and printable map on the Passion Trail Bikes web site.

Denis · Jun 29, 2007

singlespeed.org said:
There is a recommended route and printable map on the Passion Trail Bikes web site.

This is actually a pretty good route that links two of my favority small loops. It will probably be more than 2000' of climb (or very close). I'd recommend parking either at Skegg's or at the CM02 gate along Skyline and definitively do the loop clockwise. This way you'll hit two of my fav trails (Blue Blosson and Resolution) the "right" way (these are single trails).

There are no "easy" way to get out of Skeeg's when you've hit the bottom. The "best" way I found it just to hit El Corte De Madera Creek trail (north of the park) up and grind it for a mile+. It's not that steep and it's a fairly good fireroad.

Loll · Jun 29, 2007

1.5-2 Hr Ride

From parking, go to trail head, take the right instead of left up the paved road. Do Tafoni, to fir, then down resolution, up to north leave, ride all the way to the creek, up it, and the look for the new Giant Salamander trail. Do that, then back up manzanita , back to parking.

Good fun.

jedicoder · Jun 29, 2007

Denis said:
This is actually a pretty good route that links two of my favority small loops. It will probably be more than 2000' of climb (or very close). I'd recommend parking either at Skegg's or at the CM02 gate along Skyline and definitively do the loop clockwise. This way you'll hit two of my fav trails (Blue Blosson and Resolution) the "right" way (these are single trails).

There are no "easy" way to get out of Skeeg's when you've hit the bottom. The "best" way I found it just to hit El Corte De Madera Creek trail (north of the park) up and grind it for a mile+. It's not that steep and it's a fairly good fireroad.

I haven't been up El Corte De Madera Creek trail, but it would seem, this is a good way out since it's probably the coolest, temp wise. I used to take it down at the start of my ride, and if I remember correct, I'd be freezing by the time I'd get to the bottom.

I must be the one you pass going the "wrong" way on Resolution. This is one trail I don't mind yielding to bikes going down. I usually yield to bikes going down on the single track on N. Leaf also.

I've never tried Blue Blossom. How's the climb up Spring Board? I like going down Steam Donkey, so an excursion out to SB, then BB might be nice for an extra 3 miles.

Denis · Jun 30, 2007

jedicoder said:
I haven't been up El Corte De Madera Creek trail, but it would seem, this is a good way out since it's probably the coolest, temp wise. I used to take it down at the start of my ride, and if I remember correct, I'd be freezing by the time I'd get to the bottom.

You are right, it's nice and shaded and stays cool most days. Even in winter it's not too sloppy and I found it to be a good way out of the park on the north side.

jedicoder said:
I must be the one you pass going the "wrong" way on Resolution. This is one trail I don't mind yielding to bikes going down.

I've tried Resolution going up once (my first time at Skeggs), found it too rocky to my taste and I like it much better going down. Some days I can get a nice flowing rythm bouncing from rock to rock, dodging the roots... Love it!

jedicoder said:
I usually yield to bikes going down on the single track on N. Leaf also.

I haven't done the West side of the park in a while. I use to have a ride starting in Purissima creek (down Northridge / Whittemore, up Purissima Creek trail / Border Hatch Mill - that last one is a b**ch) that I would link to Skegg's (through Tunitas Creek / Star Hill road) at the South Leaf entrance, then go to North Leaf to El Corte De Madera Creek trail up to Skyline and ride Skyline back to Purissima parking lot. Nice 20+ miles...

jedicoder said:
I've never tried Blue Blossom. How's the climb up Spring Board? I like going down Steam Donkey, so an excursion out to SB, then BB might be nice for an extra 3 miles.

I usually get to Blue Blossom from either taking Bear Gluch to the CM06 entrance or from Lawence Creek Trail (which is an easy - if not what seems like forever long - uphill). Then from the north end of Blue Blossom I usually take Spring Board north to Cross Cut / Timberview / Methuselah / parking lot.

Team Donkey going up is a real pain, much more fun going down, especially in the middle of Winter ;-)

So many loops... so little time...

Cheers.

Skeggs Route Recomendation

stvberry

Denis

stvberry

singlespeed.org

Denis

Loll

jedicoder

Denis

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