Wilder Ranch State Park
Wilder Ranch State Park is located off of Highway 1 just north of Santa Cruz. This park offers 30+ miles of trails that wind through the hills rising up from the coast. The trails in the park are primarily fire roads, with some excellent singletrack thrown in. When you run through the park, your surroundings vary from exposed grassy hillsides to wooded gulches. The profile of the park is almost like a wedge, with the elevation rising from about 100' along Highway 1 to about 1000' at the back of the park. Because of this, most of the climbing is done very gradually has you head towards the back of the park. Note that there is a parking fee, so don't forget to bring along some cash!
The Dirt:
The Dirt:
- For the official park web site click here.
- To download a free trail map from Virtualparks click here.
- For driving directions to the main parking lot via Google Maps click here.
- There is water available near the bathrooms at the main parking area; however, there is no water available inside the park.
Favorite Run #1: Old Cabin/Baldwin/Coast Loop (11.1 mi, ~1000 ft elevation gain)
This run has it all! Exposed fire road with grand ocean views, wooded singletrack through a redwood forest, narrow trails through a ravine, and a breathtaking return trip along a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. What more could you ask for?? One word of caution: The trails in the park are often rather tricky to follow. Please bring along a map (see the link to the trail map above under "The Dirt") and trace out the route on the map before you go! In the directions below, turns that are particularly confusing are marked with an asterisk (*).
Additionally, there is a rather hefty parking fee ($10 as of 5/26/11) so don't forget some cash. Or, if you prefer, some people leave their car parked alongside Hwy 1 to avoid the fee (you'll see the pull-outs on your way to the park). Personally, I would rather pay the $10 and not worry about the safety of my automobile... :)
To begin the run, follow the signs from the parking lot that guide you along the paved trail to the Farm and Interpretive Center.
Additionally, there is a rather hefty parking fee ($10 as of 5/26/11) so don't forget some cash. Or, if you prefer, some people leave their car parked alongside Hwy 1 to avoid the fee (you'll see the pull-outs on your way to the park). Personally, I would rather pay the $10 and not worry about the safety of my automobile... :)
To begin the run, follow the signs from the parking lot that guide you along the paved trail to the Farm and Interpretive Center.
- 0.0 mi: Head toward the farm along the paved road.
- 0.1 mi: Turn left and head up the driveway toward the old barn and farmhouse. Cut through the buildings, then head through the tunnel under Hwy 1.
- 0.5 mi: Just past the creek, veer left onto Engelsmans Loop (fire road) toward Wild Boar Trail.
- 1.7 mi: Turn left onto Wild Boar Trail (singletrack).
- 2.1 mi: Trail Junction. Continue onto Old Cabin Trail. This singletrack takes you down into a redwood-filled ravine, then back up.
- 2.8 mi: Trail ends. Turn left onto Eucalyptus Loop.
- *3.8 mi: This gets confusing here. You will see what appears like a driveway. Continue to follow the singletrack, indicated by a sign with a single arrow. The goal is to get to Enchanted Loop (the fire road part).
- 4.0 mi: Trail ends. Turn right onto the Enchanted Loop fire road toward Baldwin Loop.
- *4.5 mi: Keep a sharp lookout on your right for a small trail toward Baldwin Loop. Turn right onto this small trail and then veer left to get onto the Baldwin Loop (singletrack). This narrow trail takes you down a hillside and into a wooded ravine. The views along the way are amazing! Continue on Baldwin Loop trail all of the way to Hwy 1.
- 6.1 mi: Run through the tunnel under Hwy 1. Not long after the tunnel, you will come to railroad tracks. Turn left and follow the railroad tracks to get on the Ohlone Bluff Trail. This trail is actually more of an access road for the farmers that work these fields, but, the views are amazing! You'll follow this trail/road for the next 5 miles all of the way back to the car. Along the way you'll pass several picturesque beaches. Some of the turns can be confusing, but as long as you have the trail map you'll be fine!
- 11.1 mi: Back at the car!
