What are some trails that go through Redwood Forests? I plan to be in California at some point this summer and would like to do some Redwood riding.
MTB Trails that go through Redwood Forests
downhilldan
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Borden Hatch Mill tr-Purisima
Won't need a guide at this preserve. My fave loop is starting from the coastal side,up Borden Hatch Mill tr, down Grabtown, up Purisima Cr tr, short pave ride to Whittemore Gulch tr + down. Lots of Redwood Forest to gaze at....
Resource suggestion:
http://www.passiontrailbikes.com/pages/rides
http://openspace.org/preserves/pr_purisima.aspdownhilldan said:
Won't need a guide at this preserve. My fave loop is starting from the coastal side,up Borden Hatch Mill tr, down Grabtown, up Purisima Cr tr, short pave ride to Whittemore Gulch tr + down. Lots of Redwood Forest to gaze at....
Resource suggestion:
http://www.passiontrailbikes.com/pages/rides
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There are thousands. Where in particular are you going to be?downhilldan said:
And please, California. :thumbsup:
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Cali? You should be posting this in the South America forum...downhilldan said:
No redwoods here, it's all beaches and palm trees.
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I can be anywhere. I'm planning to drive all over the state. I fixed it, its says California now.cmdrpiffle said:
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Thanks!
OK; it's a big place. It is as far from San Diego to Oregon as it is from San Francisco to Denver, so you could do a bit of driving once here. There are two kinds of redwoods here, giant Sequoias and coastal redwoods.
There is some riding in the giant redwoods south of Sequoia National Park in the Sequoia National Forest. There's a pretty good writeup of this on the Mountain Bike bill website. Google it and you should be good to go there. That would be on the west slope of the Sierras, north of Bakersfield but south of Fresno.
Coastal redwoods happen along the coast from Big Sur up to about Oregon. There are areas around Santa Cruz and on the peninsula north towards San Francisco with a variety of trails. North of San Francisco, there are some trails in the Mendocino area. I haven't ridden up there, can't help much with that area, except to say it is beautiful.
Lots of folks come here in the summer. Campgrounds, particularly state parks, can book up far in advance. Same with developed campgrounds in national forests. You'll want to nail down some reservations as son as you have a rough itinerary. Don't forget to dig a little for county parks with campgrounds. If you hit up the Sierras, national forests often have remote camping, what they sometimes call dispersed camping. Rules vary, but often all you need is to camp off roadways and get a fire permit at a ranger station.
OK; it's a big place. It is as far from San Diego to Oregon as it is from San Francisco to Denver, so you could do a bit of driving once here. There are two kinds of redwoods here, giant Sequoias and coastal redwoods.
There is some riding in the giant redwoods south of Sequoia National Park in the Sequoia National Forest. There's a pretty good writeup of this on the Mountain Bike bill website. Google it and you should be good to go there. That would be on the west slope of the Sierras, north of Bakersfield but south of Fresno.
Coastal redwoods happen along the coast from Big Sur up to about Oregon. There are areas around Santa Cruz and on the peninsula north towards San Francisco with a variety of trails. North of San Francisco, there are some trails in the Mendocino area. I haven't ridden up there, can't help much with that area, except to say it is beautiful.
Lots of folks come here in the summer. Campgrounds, particularly state parks, can book up far in advance. Same with developed campgrounds in national forests. You'll want to nail down some reservations as son as you have a rough itinerary. Don't forget to dig a little for county parks with campgrounds. If you hit up the Sierras, national forests often have remote camping, what they sometimes call dispersed camping. Rules vary, but often all you need is to camp off roadways and get a fire permit at a ranger station.
Redwoods
Yup! We got 'em.
Here in Mendocino County you're going to need to hook up with a guide of some sort to get the full effect. Some of the write-ups I've seen from people who got their "inside dope" from people that don't live here are comical. There are quite a few fun trails that are no-brainers with the aid of the maps available at our two LBS. But, signage is basically absent; we're working on that. Some one or some group from Mendocino Coast Cyclists is riding here pretty much every day so if you find yourself here get in touch.
If you give me a couple week's notice I can (less for Sunday rides) arrange anything from one to ten hours of riding for you. And you will not see the same patch of ground twice 'till you get back to your rig. And there are 10-15 others around that have the knowledge and ability to do the same for you. Though not that many that tend towards the all day ride.
So there you have it. We've got the goods; but they are hidden. Oh, and don't expect to see throngs of people while you're riding here. 250+ square mile riding area, 70-80 dedicated riders; do the math.
Cheers,
David
P.S. Thanks for sticking up for California Commander; oh, and nice ears.
Yup! We got 'em.
Here in Mendocino County you're going to need to hook up with a guide of some sort to get the full effect. Some of the write-ups I've seen from people who got their "inside dope" from people that don't live here are comical. There are quite a few fun trails that are no-brainers with the aid of the maps available at our two LBS. But, signage is basically absent; we're working on that. Some one or some group from Mendocino Coast Cyclists is riding here pretty much every day so if you find yourself here get in touch.
If you give me a couple week's notice I can (less for Sunday rides) arrange anything from one to ten hours of riding for you. And you will not see the same patch of ground twice 'till you get back to your rig. And there are 10-15 others around that have the knowledge and ability to do the same for you. Though not that many that tend towards the all day ride.
So there you have it. We've got the goods; but they are hidden. Oh, and don't expect to see throngs of people while you're riding here. 250+ square mile riding area, 70-80 dedicated riders; do the math.
Cheers,
David
P.S. Thanks for sticking up for California Commander; oh, and nice ears.
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Are you talking about arranging 1-10 hours of free guided riding, or a paid tour?BikeMendo said:
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In the South Bay/Santa Cruz area there are several good options:
Big Basin State park: fire roads through the Redwoods to the Pacific or around Butano State Park and back.
Skeggs aka Corte de Madera park: single track up and down through the Redwoods: Resolution, North and South Leaf, Blue Blossom and more.
Soquel Demonstation Forest: great downhill single track through the Redwoods, but you may need a tour guide.
Wilder State Park/UCSC: great views over the Pacific. I think Old Cabin and Enchanted Loop trails have some Redwoods.
Big Basin State park: fire roads through the Redwoods to the Pacific or around Butano State Park and back.
Skeggs aka Corte de Madera park: single track up and down through the Redwoods: Resolution, North and South Leaf, Blue Blossom and more.
Soquel Demonstation Forest: great downhill single track through the Redwoods, but you may need a tour guide.
Wilder State Park/UCSC: great views over the Pacific. I think Old Cabin and Enchanted Loop trails have some Redwoods.
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I think there's a redwood tree growing deep in the remote wilderness of Henry Coe Park. You should go see THAT one. On a hot summer day.
Kidding of course! Avoid Coe. Everyone's suggestions are great. I'd defnitely recommend taking up the guided tour of the Mendocino trails. But don't miss out on riding Santa Cruz either. I'd say give yourself one full day in Mendo Co., two full days in Santa Cruz area, and one full day exploring the Peninsula trails (i.e. Skeggs). Also, make sure you devote some non-bike time exploring the redwood communities, because they are just as unique as the trees themselves. The bay area forest culture will offer you a glimpse into what defines the California lifestyle in a way that no other "landmark" will. Artisan crafts, folk music, wine, cheese, organic farming...we've got it all.
Ps...oh, and the offer to ride Mendo trails was, I'm sure a gracious voluntary effort. But it's amazing how some quality beer says thanks!
Kidding of course! Avoid Coe. Everyone's suggestions are great. I'd defnitely recommend taking up the guided tour of the Mendocino trails. But don't miss out on riding Santa Cruz either. I'd say give yourself one full day in Mendo Co., two full days in Santa Cruz area, and one full day exploring the Peninsula trails (i.e. Skeggs). Also, make sure you devote some non-bike time exploring the redwood communities, because they are just as unique as the trees themselves. The bay area forest culture will offer you a glimpse into what defines the California lifestyle in a way that no other "landmark" will. Artisan crafts, folk music, wine, cheese, organic farming...we've got it all.
Ps...oh, and the offer to ride Mendo trails was, I'm sure a gracious voluntary effort. But it's amazing how some quality beer says thanks!
Guided Tour
Did some one say beer ? :thumbsup:
I have found that when the question gets asked, you don't have the money to pay me what I'm worth.
Tips are good; beer is good enough, if it's good beer. No Belgian ales; too sweet.
If you litter, I get :madmax: If you skid a lot,:nono: If it all builds up to :madman: ; I leave you 5 hours out in the forest. Here,kitty,kitty.
Just kidding, I haven't lost anyone yet.
david@bikemendo.com
Did some one say beer ?
:thumbsup: I have found that when the question gets asked, you don't have the money to pay me what I'm worth.
Tips are good; beer is good enough, if it's good beer. No Belgian ales; too sweet.
If you litter, I get :madmax: If you skid a lot,:nono: If it all builds up to :madman: ; I leave you 5 hours out in the forest.
Here,kitty,kitty.Just kidding, I haven't lost anyone yet.
david@bikemendo.com
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okay, I can do that.BikeMendo said:Did some one say beer ?
I have found that when the question gets asked, you don't have the money to pay me what I'm worth.
Tips are good; beer is good enough, if it's good beer. No Belgian ales; too sweet.
If you litter, I get :madmax: If you skid a lot,:nono: If it all builds up to :madman: ; I leave you 5 hours out in the forest.
Just kidding, I haven't lost anyone yet.
david@bikemendo.com
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This sounds like an awesome time.
Later this summer I may need to drop you some email!
Later this summer I may need to drop you some email!
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All the good beer is brewed in your neck of the woods. How could anybody repay you when you've got North Coast Brewery up there?BikeMendo said:Did some one say beer ?
I have found that when the question gets asked, you don't have the money to pay me what I'm worth.
Tips are good; beer is good enough, if it's good beer. No Belgian ales; too sweet.
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