Trail Reviews: Skeggs Point (El Corte De Madera OSP)
In the interests of providing some actual content on this Blog, I give you the inagural edition of Trail Reviews. This week we'll look at Skeggs Point, one of the most popular (yet highly regulated) mountain biking preserves.
NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list of trails at Skeggs. The list merely highlights trails and trail features that may not be obvious to those new to Skeggs.
Upper Steam Donkey: Generally ridden top to bottom. Steep rutted descent followed in quick succession by three short technical climbs. If you can climb all three you are DA STUD. Generally followed by
Lower Steam Donkey: Fun, fast descent. Be sure to hop the log at the top.
Blue Blossom: Generally ridden south to north. Now bi-directional. Along with Crosscut Trail,1 Blue Blossom used to be the last hardcore trail at Skeggs. If you could ride down the wall, you were DA STUD. Unfortunately, the last of the re-routes eliminated the wall. It's still a destination trail with a nice section of tight singletrack, though.
South Leaf: Tragically underappreciated. Subject to seasonal trail closures. Generally ridden north to south. Long, rutted climb followed by technical, cross-country singletrack. South Leaf is out of the way, so if you ride it, be prepared for a long day.
Virginia Mill: Generally ridden as a continuation of South Leaf. Not particularly interesting until the near the creek crossing. Used to be that you had to haul your bike on top of a downed redwood to cross the creek. Since the crossing was impassable to horses, they've now erected a bridge. The trail is still closed to bikes, so who can say how much fun they've sucked out of it.
Timberview: Generally ridden top to bottom. It's a fire road. Whee! Only mountain goats will appreciate the climb on the lower portions of Timberview. If you take a novice to intermediate rider up Timberview, be prepared to get smacked (at least once the puddle that was once your "friend" collects itself).
Manzanita: Yeah, it's fun, but everybody knows about it. 'Nuff said.
North Leaf: Watch out for rangers with radar guns (?!!?!) on lower sections near the El Corte De Madera Creek Trail junction.
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Recommended Short (<90 minute) Loop: Upper Steam Donkey, Lower Steam Donkey, Spring Board, Lawrence Creek, Blue Blossom, Spring Board, Gordon Mill
Recommended Long (3 hour) Loop: Upper Steam Donkey, Lower Steam Donkey, Gordon Mill, Crosscut, Timberview, Giant Salamander, Methuselah, South Leaf, Virginia Mill, Lawrence Creek, Blue Blossom, Spring Board, Gordon Mill
Be sure to check the ECDM website for the latest updates on seasonal and other trail closures.
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1. Currently closed for reconstruction
NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list of trails at Skeggs. The list merely highlights trails and trail features that may not be obvious to those new to Skeggs.
Upper Steam Donkey: Generally ridden top to bottom. Steep rutted descent followed in quick succession by three short technical climbs. If you can climb all three you are DA STUD. Generally followed by
Lower Steam Donkey: Fun, fast descent. Be sure to hop the log at the top.
Blue Blossom: Generally ridden south to north. Now bi-directional. Along with Crosscut Trail,1 Blue Blossom used to be the last hardcore trail at Skeggs. If you could ride down the wall, you were DA STUD. Unfortunately, the last of the re-routes eliminated the wall. It's still a destination trail with a nice section of tight singletrack, though.
South Leaf: Tragically underappreciated. Subject to seasonal trail closures. Generally ridden north to south. Long, rutted climb followed by technical, cross-country singletrack. South Leaf is out of the way, so if you ride it, be prepared for a long day.
Virginia Mill: Generally ridden as a continuation of South Leaf. Not particularly interesting until the near the creek crossing. Used to be that you had to haul your bike on top of a downed redwood to cross the creek. Since the crossing was impassable to horses, they've now erected a bridge. The trail is still closed to bikes, so who can say how much fun they've sucked out of it.
Timberview: Generally ridden top to bottom. It's a fire road. Whee! Only mountain goats will appreciate the climb on the lower portions of Timberview. If you take a novice to intermediate rider up Timberview, be prepared to get smacked (at least once the puddle that was once your "friend" collects itself).
Manzanita: Yeah, it's fun, but everybody knows about it. 'Nuff said.
North Leaf: Watch out for rangers with radar guns (?!!?!) on lower sections near the El Corte De Madera Creek Trail junction.
------------------------------
Recommended Short (<90 minute) Loop: Upper Steam Donkey, Lower Steam Donkey, Spring Board, Lawrence Creek, Blue Blossom, Spring Board, Gordon Mill
Recommended Long (3 hour) Loop: Upper Steam Donkey, Lower Steam Donkey, Gordon Mill, Crosscut, Timberview, Giant Salamander, Methuselah, South Leaf, Virginia Mill, Lawrence Creek, Blue Blossom, Spring Board, Gordon Mill
Be sure to check the ECDM website for the latest updates on seasonal and other trail closures.
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1. Currently closed for reconstruction
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