Review Date
August 24, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: stiletto ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Great area to Ride. Make up your own loop; hook together Grizzly Flat, Charcoal rd Stevens' Canyon etc.

Recommended Route:
Park top of Skyline/Highway 9. Ride Saratoga Gap in the usual fashion to Long Ridge. To change up the usual "loop", when you get to the Ward road/Peter's Creek intersection, go down the switchbacks to the bottom of Peter's Creek. When you connect back up to Long Ridge, the climb up Peter's Creek/Long Ridge will really test your technical skills AND your leg and lung strength. When you get to the top, ride the loop back out to Saratoga Gap. My rating (4) reflects the climb up from Peter's creek to Long Ridge.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
UCSC

Review Date
September 23, 2007

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: nemnem ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is definitely not a beginner's trail - it does require a good degree of fitness and there are some tricky bumps, rock and roots that could be troublesome for rookies.

That said, I rode it today and it isn't the most eventful trail - a good place to get a quick workout if you live nearby but not worth driving far for this.

One good thing about this trail is that its mostly shady so you don't have to worry about the heat so much. The shade and the extra moisture you get up here with the fog makes for less dry and sandy terrain which is great if you grew up biking in a more temperate climate like me.

I saw a flock (is that the right word?) of wild turkey - about 15 of them all blocking the road in front of me - never seen that before. Other than that it was pretty unmemorable.

Recommended Route:
take the gap trail all the way to long ridge road, then do the peter's creek loop back to the gap trail.

Tips:
Just after you climb up from the skyline rd crossing, there is a fork in the trail - the left leads to a meadow but is actually more interesting than turning right.

Don't bother trying to vary the loop back by going down ward rd after you exit peters creek trail - its just boring wide fire road which takes you down and then climbs back up steeply.

Review Date
July 25, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: sk8fool ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I love the gap trail and like to test out new gear on it. Its a quick uphill followed by some cool single track and can loop through it in under an hour. Although I usually cross over 35 at the end of the trail and ride the trails out there. Its 2/3 to 3/4 in the shade so perfect for hot summer days.

Recommended Route:
After the 2 miles of Saratoga gap trail I cross 35 and make my way to peters creek trail which is some brief up hill and even more downhill/single track. at the bottom of the trail turn right and its mellow uphill back up to where you came from. When I get back to 35 I usually just take the highway back to the parking lot. Once you see the fire station you are almost there.

Review Date
May 5, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Sushi Rider ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is one of my favorite trails to ride, it's in great condition, with enough tech. ride for every one, long ridge has one of the best views and our favorite snack stop, ride out of the Peters crk trail and ride down the Canyon Trail to the Redwood gulch.... though you need shuttle (park one car at the gulch) you will injoy one of best ride of the bay area...or just do the loop from Peters Crk to the Gap.

Recommended Route:
hwy 9 to the gulch, leave one car, and drive to the Skyline and hwy 9 intersection,parking is at left but it gets crowded in the week end.... get there early.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Wilder Ranch...enchanted loop..or when the days over 100 degrees, Fort ord, its alway cooler.

Review Date
March 6, 2006

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: Rex_Skidmore ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Very well-maintained network of trails.
Some singletrack, some fireroad. Nothing incredibly difficult --- unless the trails are wet. There are wet roots and rocks that will challenge most riders. The wet leaves in some corners can get you loose, too.

Get the map from Krebs or the country map at the trailhead.

One out of three rides here I encounter a Ranger on a bike or a truck. These are good things.

During the summer, apply your favorite brand of insect repellent. There's a pond or two in the area, and the skeeters are just as fast as you are!

Stunning vistas from the stone bench or the other one (mid-trail) toward the Pacific Coast. The ocean's a few miles away, but visible if not fogged in.

Because this territory is on the Skyline / Hwy 35, I've driven from the valley floor in sunlight and returned with a wet vehicle that was cloud misted. TRANSLATION: Bring layers.