9.2 hr
Overview
Begin the loop at the Skeggs Point parking lot, where you'll find the entrance to the Preserve roughly 100 feet or so north off of Hwy 35. Take the left-most "trail" (a short paved road) to meet with Fir Trail (Upper) and continue until you see a turnoff on your left for Sierra Morena Trail. <br><br>Enjoy the warmup on Sierra Morena Trail and continue downward past the second parking lot until you eventually meet up with the top of Gordon Mill Trail. From there, exit the Preserve and take Hwy 35 southbound for half a mile or so until you see a sign for Bear Gulch Road (it will be a right-hand turn; don't mistake it for east Bear Gulch that will be on your left). Continue on Bear Gulch Road for a mile or so, and be on the lookout for a trailhead sign and entrance back into the Preserve on your right (the top of Spring Board Trail). <br><br>It can be quite easy to miss, although fortunately there is another entrance point not too far further that you can catch. Take the short doubletrack trail to meet up with Lawrence Creek Trail on your left. This is a slightly unpleasant steep downhill section with plenty of brake bumps, but quickly dumps you into a large, open sandy area where you can enter the top of Blue Blossom trail on your right.<br><br>Blue Blossom trail is an incredibly fun, flowy two-mile singletrack that you'll likely have to yourself. Take your time, hit the jumps and side features that are speckled along the trail, and enjoy the solitude of the south side of the Preserve. The trail eventually merges with the lower portion of Spring Board Trail with a fairly loose and rocky descent (and then ascent) that can be somewhat treacherous if you aren't prepared, as it isn't accessible to emergency vehicles. After the ascent, follow the sign to meet with Gordon Mill Trail.<br><br>Make a right on Gordon Mill Trail and climb half a mile or so to reach the bottom of Crossover Trail, which features tight switchbacks that I find equally engaging as both a climb and descent. Climb up Crossover, being mindful of des
Trail Stats
30.0 km
1019 m
724 m
407 m
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Photos
Memorial Plaque. The aircraft DC-6 was flying the Honolulu – San Francisco leg and crashed around here in October 1953. All 19 people on board were killed.
Memorial Plaque. The aircraft DC-6 was flying the Honolulu – San Francisco leg and crashed around here in October 1953. All 19 people on board were killed.
Fir Vista Point is a great place for a break with shade and ocean views.
Fir Vista Point is a great place for a break with shade and ocean views.
Funny Vista Point
Funny Vista Point
Creek Crossing
Creek Crossing
Memorial plaque for airplane "resolution" crash
Memorial plaque for airplane "resolution" crash
Forest on Manzanita Trail in El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve.
Forest on Manzanita Trail in El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve.
Resolution Trail artifacts
Resolution Trail artifacts
The sun JUST peaking through some second growth redwoods.
The sun JUST peaking through some second growth redwoods.
Creek Crossing at the base of the decent
Creek Crossing at the base of the decent
View so the coast from Manzanita Trail.
View so the coast from Manzanita Trail.
View of the Pacific Ocean from Fir Vista Point
View of the Pacific Ocean from Fir Vista Point
Forest in El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve.
Forest in El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve.
It was a pleasant sight to spot other MTBrs after seeing no one for hours during a cold a rainy day.
It was a pleasant sight to spot other MTBrs after seeing no one for hours during a cold a rainy day.