12.6 hr
Overview
Starts at Rockridge BART. Alternately, you can start at Ashby BART if on the Richmond line if you want to save the transfer hassle. Adds about two miles and little to no time.<br><br>Climbs on pavement mostly via a mix of cycling lanes, cycletracks, paved paths, and roads with few motorists. It generally follows the former Sacramento Northern electric interurban rail route. The paved path segments are on the rail bed itself.<br><br>The dirt starts at the Skyline Gate in Redwood Regional Park and does not stop for 20 miles. It roughly follows contour on West Ridge Trail, Castle Park Trail, and Sequoia Bayview Trail with the steepest parts connecting the the first two. The connector from Sequoia Bayview Trail back into Redwood Regional Park is a nice drop with a quite technical short bit of high timbered steps. There are various ways across to the south edge of Redwood Park from here. Angling left hits Dunn Trail, which makes the most of the bit of elevation loss. If you miss that turn though any of the routes ahead end up where you need to go.<br><br>A short jog right on Redwood Road hits Skyline Boulevard. Turn left on Skyline on the trail in the median. The median is narrow here and the trail is just along the northbound left turn lane of the road. So take your time and pick your moment to make the turn as the motorists waiting in the lane may think you are about to ride the wrong way in the lane. You are not though. Rather, you hop the curb almost at the point of the median and hit the trail.<br><br>From here, it is a fun 3.5 miles of singletrack. As stated in the description of that trail, there are periodic road crossings via curb hops. Take your time to look forward and back to check for motorists that might potentially turn to cross over the median at these locations. You do not have the right of way. Just past halfway along this segment the more obvious trail drops right down to the street. This connects to the top of Artemisia in the adjoining Leona Canyon Regional Preserve, which provides a means to sho
Trail Stats
44.7 km
827 m
433 m
49 m
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Photos
Trail start.
Trail start.
Just steps from the trailhead.
Just steps from the trailhead.
Redtail fire road "Trail" near Cottontail Trail junction.
Redtail fire road "Trail" near Cottontail Trail junction.
Start of Horseshoe Trail at equestrian center.
Start of Horseshoe Trail at equestrian center.
Coming up Jackson Grade
Coming up Jackson Grade
Mountain bike in front of the sign outside Rockridge BART station. Where a lot of fun begins!
Mountain bike in front of the sign outside Rockridge BART station. Where a lot of fun begins!
Redwood Trees and "narrow portion" of track
Redwood Trees and "narrow portion" of track
Top of Cinderella
Top of Cinderella
Upper Honker Bay Trail.
Upper Honker Bay Trail.
Redtail Trail leadoff from Brandon Trail
Redtail Trail leadoff from Brandon Trail
Singletrack
Singletrack
Lower Towhee Trail.
Lower Towhee Trail.
Upper Towhee Trail.
Upper Towhee Trail.
Misty morning at Miller Park, Saturday 9th Sept.
Misty morning at Miller Park, Saturday 9th Sept.
My 'home trails' are short but sweet!
My 'home trails' are short but sweet!