8.3 hr
Overview
The ride starts at the Lakeshore Picnic Area of Stevens Creek County Park near the junction with Montebello Road. Montebello Road is a narrow paved road that starts climbing immediately as it winds its way up the ridge through a shaded canyon. A couple miles up just past Monte Bello School, the climb eases a bit and views open up over Silicon Valley. Don't be surprised to hear what sounds like a mini-war going on. There's a shooting range near the rock quarry directly below. The road narrows to one lane eventually breaking out of the trees into chaparral and vineyards with more views out over the South Bay. <br><br>Just past the Ridge Vineyards is the trailhead for Waterwheel Creek Trail on the left. This old ranch road follows the contours of the ridge through old orchards and vineyards then reconnects with the dirt section of Monte Bello Road farther up. Use this as an alternate route when the trails are dry.<br><br>A mile past the Ridge Vineyards the paved road ends at a gate where you enter Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. The fire road starts as broken pavement up to a microwave installation turning into a smooth dirt road for the last couple miles to the top of 2,800-ft Black Mountain, another communication tower site. Enjoy the top-of-the-world views to the east over Santa Clara Valley to Mount Hamilton, south to Mt. Umunhum, and southwest down into Stevens Creek Canyon with Long Ridge and glimpses of the Pacific Ocean beyond.<br><br>Continue on Monte Bello Road a short distance turning left at the first junction on Indian Creek Trail which is a smooth fire road that drops steeply into Stevens Creek to connect with the Canyon Trail. <br><br>Another slightly longer ride option is to take the first right off of Indian Creek to Old Ranch Trail which runs parallel to Monte Bello Road then left on Bella Vista Trail down to the Canyon Trail.<br><br>Head down the Canyon Trail which starts as smooth doubletrack winding and rolling through the trees along Stevens Creek. The trail gets narrower and rougher as it pr
Trail Stats
27.8 km
773 m
851 m
167 m
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Photos
Stevens Creek water crossing on Canyon Trail.
Stevens Creek water crossing on Canyon Trail.
Upper Canyon Trail on Stevens Creek.
Upper Canyon Trail on Stevens Creek.
Last pitch to Black Mountain on Monte Bello Road.
Last pitch to Black Mountain on Monte Bello Road.
View down Indian Creek Trail from the top.
View down Indian Creek Trail from the top.
Lower half of Stevens Creek Canyon Trail in mid-December 2019. Note moss on trees and heavy leaf cover on trail.
Lower half of Stevens Creek Canyon Trail in mid-December 2019. Note moss on trees and heavy leaf cover on trail.
Bike packing continues along the Canyon Trail.
Bike packing continues along the Canyon Trail.
Indian Creek Trail looking down Stevens Creek Canyon and San Andreas Fault.
Indian Creek Trail looking down Stevens Creek Canyon and San Andreas Fault.
Ridge Vineyards.
Ridge Vineyards.
Black Mountain summit panorama.
Black Mountain summit panorama.
Black Mountain in Monte Bello Open Space
Black Mountain in Monte Bello Open Space