Longwall Canyon Trail

Overview

Longwall Canyon Trail starts from Casa Loma Road just before (east of) reaching the Rancho Canada del Oro parking lot on Casa Loma Road. Longwall Canyon Trail begins in Calero County Park, and crosses into Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve that abuts Calero County Park.<br><br>From its trailhead in Calero County Park, Longwall Canyon Trail begins as a wide trail through grassy terrain dotted with large stands of trees, primarily oak trees. Almost immediately, the trail comes to the Little Llagas Creek Loop Trail junction and a stream. Stay to the left at this trail junction to follow Longwall Canyon Trail, that follows this stream up its stream valley - Baldy Ryan Canyon.<br><br>Longwall Canyon Trail reaches the Needlegrass Trail .6 miles from the Longwall Canyon Trail trailhead, and then the Calero/Rancho Canada del Oro park's boundary, where the trail enters Rancho Canada del Oro. The trail narrows some, although it is still doubletrack, continues in grassy terrain, with some wooded sections now, still following the stream that is below and to the left of the trail. About .9 miles from its trailhead, Longwall Canyon Trail passes Catamount Trail on the right.<br><br>Longwall Canyon Trail veers away from the stream about 1.1 miles from its trailhead, and begins to climb to a high ridge and Bald Peaks Trail. As Longwall Canyon Trail veers away from the stream it enters a wooded section. The trail then passes Mayfair Ranch Trail on the left, and continues through the woods.<br><br>After about a mile in the woods, the woods thin and the trail, that has narrowed to singletrack by now, climbs more steeply through the grassy hills and wooded sections, for its last .8 miles. About a quarter mile before the trail ends it crosses a seasonal stream on a sturdy bridge.<br><br>Longwall Canyon Trail then ends on a high grassy ridge with great views. This is where Bald Peaks Trail starts.

Trail Stats

Photos

A wooded section of Longwall Canyon Trail crosses a stream

A wooded section of Longwall Canyon Trail crosses a stream

Little Llagas Creek Trail runs through a creekside meadow of golden summer grasses.

Little Llagas Creek Trail runs through a creekside meadow of golden summer grasses.

Longwall Canyon Trail runs through the golden summer grass of Calero County Park near its trailhead.

Longwall Canyon Trail runs through the golden summer grass of Calero County Park near its trailhead.

Nearby are the wooded and brush covered hills of Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve, with the trail far below. In the far distance across Coyote Valley, is the Diablo Range, seen looking east from high on Longwall Canyon Trail.

Nearby are the wooded and brush covered hills of Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve, with the trail far below. In the far distance across Coyote Valley, is the Diablo Range, seen looking east from high on Longwall Canyon Trail.

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