Your Virtual Guide to Adventure Outdoors!
California Biking Adventures
Your Virtual Guide to Adventure
Outdoors!
California
Biking Adventures
Maps & Trails
Mammoth Mtn. Ride Summary
Palo Alto, Arastradero Preserve
Trails Summary
Orange County Mtn. Biking Guide
San
Francisco, Edgewood Co.Trail Summary
 |
 |
California Locational Map (11K)
Trails Map, full size-high
res. (208K)
Mammoth Mountain is one of the many ski resorts these days that attempts to cater to mountain bikers during the summer months. While most ski mountains seem to think that simply opening a chairlift to mountain bikers and giving them access to service roads is what people want, Mammoth Mountain seems to have figured out what true mountain bikers really want.
Mammoth Mountain has built a fairly extensive trail network that branches off in all directions from the 11,053’ peak. The trails are all well maintained and there are even water coolers, restrooms & phones located strategically around the mountain.
 |
The one thing that the trails on this mountain lack are true technical sections. While the trail map shows all levels of difficulty, this is primarily based on how steep the terrain is for a given section. So, if you’re a fairly skilled rider, you may soon become bored with the smooth, sandy trail conditions. Don’t let this stop you from coming here though, as there are other places to ride, FOR FREE.
Because of the investment Mammoth has made, don’t expect the prices to be cheap. Even though you only get use of the Gondola, you still have to pay near winter ski rates. One Day Park Passes are $23 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. Two Day Park Passes are $40 for adults and $20 for children. Trail Access Passes include unlimited trail use and one ride on either the Gondola or bike shuttle and are $12 for adults and $6 for children.
Daily operations will continue through September 29 and then weekends only through October 13. Friday. October 11 will be free to all mountain bikers.
Technical Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Physical Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Where: Near Edgewood Road and Highway 280, between Redwood City and San Carlos.
.How to Get There: From San Carlos or Redwood City, head west on Edgewood Road. At Old Stage Coach Rd. you'll see a sign on your left for the Preserve. Be careful with this left turn, particularly during commute hours, since Edgewood's traffic moves pretty quickly.
From 280, exit at Edgewood and head east, down the hill. The park entrance is on your right. There's a dirt parking lot just to the right of the entrance, and there's a paved lot for about a dozen cars a bit further along at the Preserve trailhead. A small picnic area, an information station and maps are located here. There are alternate walk-in entrances to the Preserve from Hillcrest Way and Canada Rd.
Trails: Edgewood Trail and Serpentine Loop encircle the Preserve, with the Ridgeview Loop trail and Sylvan Trail reaching the higher elevation and meadow areas. The Sylvan Trail is limited to hiking and running only, you'll see an occasional horse and rider on the Edgewood Trail. The Clarkia Trail follows the meadows down to Canada Road Attractions: The County Park and Natural Preserve contains a selection of ecological zones, from chaparral to riparian Oak woodland to grassland. Of the major zones specific to the Peninsula, only Redwood forest is not represented. The 600 ft. elevation gain within the park provides views of the San Francisco Watershed to the west, the Santa Cruz mountains, the South Bay and Mount Hamilton to the south, Mount Diablo to the east and San Bruno Mountain, San Francisco and Mt. Tamalpais to the north.Flora
and Fauna: A popular spot for viewing Spring wildflowers, Edgewood Preserve is home to many plant, insect and animal communities specific and native to California. Although the Preserve is within earshot of a major highway and many homes you'll still encounter a rich and diverse animal population. Deer, rabbits, bobcats, raccoons, coyotes, rattlesnakes and other species make their homes within Edgewood. Insect populations, particularly spiders and butterflies, are flourishing in the Preserve. Birders will find the varied plant life supporting a variety of species. Seven rare or endangered plant species have been identified within the Preserve. Hours: The park opens at 8:00 AM and closes at sunset.
Where: On 613 acres in the southern peninsula foothills, this accessible preserve is maintained by the City of Palo Alto. The preserve is open to hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians, and (leashed) dogs are permitted on weekdays.
Directions: Take Page Mill Road south from Interstate 280, turn right on Arastradero Road and proceed about a half mile to the preserve parking lot on the right. Trails: All trails except the Perimeter Trail are open to bicycles. Some of the trails are former ranch roads. The Corte Madera Trail from the parking lot's preserve entrance provides a short (half hour) walk to Arastradero Lake. Fishing is permitted at the Lake, although boating and swimming are not. Challenging sections: The first section of the Corte Madera trail (from the parking lot) has a few steep sections, and the trail is covered with loose gravel in several sections. Hours: Open daily from 8 am until sunset. Dogs are permitted, but must be on a leash at all times. Buildings on the preserve are closed to the public.| Trail | Miles | Kilometers | Hiking Time | Biking Times |
| Corte Madera | 1.25 | 2.0 | 1 hr. | < 30 min. |
| Perimeter | 1.0 | 1.6 | 35 min. | 15 min. |
| Meadowlark | 1.25 | 2.0 | 1 hr. | < 30 min. |
| Acorn | 1.75 | 2.8 | 1.5 hr. | 45 min. |
PS: These "times", are dependent upon Joe Average, but probably not a Huffy...your time will vary!
Note: Trail distances are from the City of Palo Alto's Arastradero Preserve trail map.
Drop us a line, your comments & trails welcome!
Original
Artwork, Text, & Maps © Trailmonkey.com 1997 -'07
Images Protected (Digitally
Watermarked) by Digimarc embedding
Paws Off Without Permission!
Privacy
Statement & Disclaimer
Designed & Tweaked by Flying
Squirrel Adventures inc
