Purisima Creek Grand Loop

Overview

Best to park at the smaller parking lot at the end of Purisima Creek Trail, then start with a 2+-mile road to the North Ridge trailhead. You can also park here, but I feel that starting with the road ride is a good warm-up, rather than ending with a road ride.<br><br>From the North Ridge trailhead, rush down a wide descent for around 0.8 miles, this is a steep wide fireroad and hikers and equestrians are common so watch the speed.<br><br>Whittemore Gulch Trail is what makes this location special. It's a 2.2-mile stretch of superbly flowing singletrack, with switchbacks, starting quite exposed to wind and sun, but never scary and ending in lush forest, fern canyons and with huge redwoods.<br><br>From here you have THREE options, none are easy:<br>1) Climb back up Harkins Ridge Trail, which is a grueling 1500 feet climb in 3.2 miles, average incline of 10% with one section of technical roots. It is EVIL. Probably the hardest climb around, with a few hike-a-bike (15-20%) stretches and sun exposure. But it is worth it and will soon be forgotten because you get to do Whittemore Gulch Trail a second time. This is the best option for a 2hr ride.<br><br>2) Take Purisima Creek Trail out to the parking lot, it is a steady climb on fire road and in the shade with around 1200 feet in 2.8 miles, the average incline of 8.8%. It is a fire road and it boring riding but gorgeous views, nature, and trees..<br><br>3) After Whitemore Gulch Trail ride up Purisima Creek Trail until a right turn to Borden Hatch Mill Trail, which is a fire road / doubletrack, of 1000 feet in 2.6 miles there are stretches of serious incline but it is much more doable than Harkins Ridge due to the shade and resulting better grip. After Borden Hatch Mill Trail, which you take Grabtown Gulch Trail, a short doubletrack descent, back to Purisima Creek Trail, a second stretch of singletrack, a little more technical than Whittemore Gulch Trail, very pretty creek crossings and redwood tree dodging. Finish by going right at Purisima Creek Trail and climbing yo

Trail Stats

Photos

Grabtown Gulch Bridge

Grabtown Gulch Bridge

Near the top of Harkins Ridge climb looking across to Whittemore Gulch

Near the top of Harkins Ridge climb looking across to Whittemore Gulch

Grabtown Gulch Scenery

Grabtown Gulch Scenery

False summit of Harkins Ridge by intersection with private boundary

False summit of Harkins Ridge by intersection with private boundary

Doubletrack under shady trees at the end of Borden Hatch Mill Trail.

Doubletrack under shady trees at the end of Borden Hatch Mill Trail.

Purisima Scenery

Purisima Scenery

Downed tree on Wittermore Gulch Trail

Downed tree on Wittermore Gulch Trail

Vantage point from the first shaded area of trail before coming out to the dry section, which starts with a bit of crevasses and rocks that will lead you into the trail in sight, on the left.

Vantage point from the first shaded area of trail before coming out to the dry section, which starts with a bit of crevasses and rocks that will lead you into the trail in sight, on the left.

The top of Harkins Ridge awards my efforts

The top of Harkins Ridge awards my efforts

Purisima Scenery

Purisima Scenery

Purisima Scenery

Purisima Scenery

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