The great riding weather continues in Northern California. I start from Hunting Hollow at 8:40am beginning a route very similar to two weeks ago. Most of the morning is taken up with the awesome Anza Trail » Jackson Trail » Elderberry Spring Trail » Rock Tower Trail » Domino Pond Trail » Cattle Duster Trail » Coit Springs Trail » Cross Canyon Trail » Kelly Cabin Canyon Trail » Kelly Lake sequence of single-track trails. 8.3 miles, 2,350 footies including ~2.5 miles of streambed trails.
It was foggy until ~10am:
Once I was above the fog it was clear all day. Clear and windy. It seemed odd for it to be that windy this time of year when there was no sign of a storm coming.
Grainery tree on Coit Springs Trail:
Last week Roy, Jim, and Eric cut this fallen tree on Cross Canyon Trail:
A few years ago, a section of trail was bypassed by users when that tree fell. After some brushing, it could be brought back into use. The trail veers to the left and the streambed is on the right.
I rode over to Coit Lake, did a quick out&back on the perimeter trail along the west side of the lake. As I was leaving the lake area, I glanced across the lake and saw some trails. Well there is supposed to be a trail on the east side too. The map shows a horse camp over there. So I went and what I found was a maze of deer paths and volunteer trails. There are a couple of gullies too; hike-a-bike terrain so I left the bicycle and walked. Here's my reward, visiting a new place in Coe!
Coit Lake Horse Camp, 1:30pm
After that diversion, I focused on what I had now decided was the goal for the day, descending the Laurel Trail. Via White Tank / Rose Dam trails, I went to Pacheco Camp. 2:45pm I rolled through. It was deserted.
The last leg outbound was the Pacheco Ridge Road:
Look at that section in the middle, billiard table smooth. The road-grader driver must have been really happy with that bit!
This proves I made it to Laurel:
Do you see a trail there?
Actually, it was okay though I did stop once to cut down a small pine that had bent over the trail.
3:45pm I begin the return trip with the Pacheco Creek Trail to Pacheco Camp, again rolling through without stopping. Sunset is at 4:56 and the full moon rise 4:34:
That photo was taken at the highest point of my ride, the Wagon Road / Crest Road intersection. Besides photos, I ate a snack, put on lights and all my layers in preparation of night riding. By the time I get to Grizzly Gulch Trail, 5:30pm, it's dark and I have a fun, mostly downhill, night ride.
6:15pm, back at Hunting Hollow.
Start at Hunting Hollow » Gilroy Hot Springs Road » Coyote Creek entrance » Coit Road » Anza Trail » Jackson Trail » Elderberry Spring Trail » Rock Tower Trail » Domino Pond Trail » Cattle Duster Trail » Coit Springs Trail » Cross Canyon Trail » Kelly Cabin Canyon Trail » Coit Road » Coit Lake Perimeter Trail (west side of lake) » Coit Lake Perimeter Trail (east side of lake) » Coit Lake Horse Camp » Coit Lake Perimeter Trail (east side of lake) » Coit Road » Willow Ridge Road » White Tank Spring Road » White Tank Spring Trail » Rose Dam Trail » Pacheco Creek Trail » Pacheco Camp » Coit Road » Pacheco Ridge Road » Laurel Trail » Pacheco Creek Trail » Pacheco Camp » Coit Road » Live Oak Spring Trail (upper) » Wagon Road » Wasno Road » Tule Pond Trail » Grizzly Gulch Trail » Coit Road » Coyote Creek gate » Gilroy Hot Springs Road » Hunting Hollow parking. 36.70/6:28/9:36/6,116'
Gilroy:
Cordoza Ridge:
