Directions: Take highway 9 through saratoga, becomes big basin way,
follow to junction with skyline (saratoga gap). make a left onto skyline, then
another left into parking lot at the gap. pickup trailhead at far left corner of
parking lot.
Trail Information: Well signed trails, starts out on old logging haul
road, becomes single track in about .5 mile. beautiful second-growth redwoods,
doug firs, madrones, bay, ferns and oaks. roller coaster the whole way. couple
of creek crossings over bridges. good mix of ups, downs and flats. dirt trails
covered in leaves and needles, very cushy. follow skyline ridge trail until you
come to skyline blvd, cross the road where you pickup loughry woods trail.
follow up to the service road, turnaround and retrace trail back to parking lot.
parts of loughry woods trail is cut into sandstone, climbing over sandstone
steps is required. awesome single track through dense forest and open chaparral
areas with gorgeous views to the south. 6.5 miles total. bigger loops are
possible by turning right at the service road and heading to the trail camps,
you can add the 6-mile saratoga gap/ridge trail loop south of the camps.
Miscellaneous Information: On weekends you may hear gunshots in the
distance, this is from the los altos rod & gun club. they own property that
borders castle rock. There are no restrooms or water at saratoga gap, restrooms
about 2.5 miles south on skyline at the castle rock main entrance.
mars