Long Ridge OSP to Portola Redwoods and back (14.4 mi, ~2500 feet elevation gain)
Looking down into Portola Redwoods SP from Ward Road
This run links Long Ridge Open Space Preserve and Portola Redwoods State Park via Ward Road. The first half of the run is entirely downhill as you drop into a beautiful redwood-filled canyon. After a brief rest at the Park Office, it's time to head back up the hill for the second half. Be warned: the climb is fairly steep in sections. For example, you gain about 1500 feet in a single 3-mile stretch!
The run starts from the Hickory Oaks Trailhead on Skyline Blvd, about 1.5 miles north of the Hwy 9 junction (the trailhead will be on your left side if you are heading north on Skyline). There is a dirt parking area along the side of Skyline Blvd, large enough to fit several cars. If you reach the Ward Road trailhead, then you've driven too far!
The Dirt:
The run starts from the Hickory Oaks Trailhead on Skyline Blvd, about 1.5 miles north of the Hwy 9 junction (the trailhead will be on your left side if you are heading north on Skyline). There is a dirt parking area along the side of Skyline Blvd, large enough to fit several cars. If you reach the Ward Road trailhead, then you've driven too far!
The Dirt:
- For the upper portion of the run, download the official Long Ridge trail map found here.
- For the lower portion of the run, download the Portola Redwoods State Park map from Virtualparks here.
- For driving directions to the Hickory Oaks Trailhead via Google Maps, click here.
- To add on an additional 3.6 miles round trip, you can park at Saratoga Gap (junction of Hwy 9 and Skyline Blvd) and run north on the Saratoga Gap Trail to the Hickory Oaks Trailhead.
- There is no water at the trailhead, but there is water available at the Park Office in Portola Redwoods State Park.
- For an overview map of the run click here. For an elevation profile of the run click here.
- 0.0 mi: Begin heading up the Hickory Oaks Trail. After a few hundred feet, you'll pass the Achistaca Trail on your left. Veer right to stay on the Hickory Oaks Trail.
- 0.2 mi: The trail splits. You can go either direction, as both trails meet shortly.
- 0.8 mi: Veer left to stay on the Hickory Oaks Trail
- 1.1 mi: Trail ends. Turn left onto Ward Road and start really descending!
- 1.4 mi: Pass Ranch Spring Trail on your right. Stay on Ward Road.
- 1.6 mi: Enter Portola Redwoods State Park.
- 2.8 mi: Ward Road ends. Turn right on the singletrack to head down Slate Creek Trail.
- 3.6 mi: Cross Slate Creek. You will soon pass the old Page Mill Site.
- 4.6 mi: At the Slate Creek Trail Camp. Continue on the Slate Creek Trail.
- 5.7 mi: Intersection with the Summit Trail. Turn right to continue on Slate Creek Trail.
- 6.6 mi: Turn left to stay on the Slate Creek Trail, heading toward the Park Office.
- 7.0 mi: Right turn to stay on Slate Creek Trail, heading toward the Park Office.
- 7.1 mi: Trail ends. Turn right on the paved road, then left at the main road. Cross a bridge and the Park Office will be on your left.
- 7.3 mi: At the Park Office. Get water! Then retrace your steps by exiting from the Park Office, turning right, and then turning right again on the other side of the bridge. To make a small loop, don't get back on Slate Creek Trail. Instead, continue up the Service Road toward Old Haul Road. Keep an eye out for Summit Trail on your left.
- 7.9 mi: Turn left onto Summit Trail. Begin short but steep climb!
- 8.7 mi: At "The Summit". Just past the summit, veer right to get back onto Slate Creek Trail heading toward Slate Creek Trail Camp. At this point, just retrace your steps back to the car.
- 9.8 mi: Pass Slate Creek Trail Camp. Stay on Slate Creek Trail.
- 10.8 mi: Cross Slate Creek and really start climbing!
- 12.8 mi: Enter Long Ridge OSP.
- 13.3 mi: Turn right onto Hickory Oaks Trail.
- 14.4 mi: Back at the car!
