Review Date
June 3, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: cakes ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I have been to Henry Coe quite a few times on many different rides. This is my favorite of all tried since it has the most singletrack. The flat frog trail is indeed flat, narrow and very scenic. It is a great trail since it warms you up for a moderate climb to middle ridge trail after reaching frog lake. The first section of downhill is not too technical and not too steep and halts at a pretty steep uphill for a little less than a mile. Then, the downhill begins again. While not very technical (no roots, rocks, and dropoffs), it is what I prefer anyways which is FAST downhill riding on mostly hardpack but with a lot of scenery. The trail gives you that "crashing through the forest feeling" that I really like. Nearer the bottom, it is generally steeper with quite a few switchbacks to check your speed. This trail was completely rideable and represents the limit of my technical ability on a mountain bike (of course the trail is much easier with my Giant Reign 2). Once at the bottom, there is a small creek to cross (twice) that I never managed to get quite through without completely submerging my shoe. The uphill back to headquarters is the worst part. The fireroad route is VERY steep and you need to be in good riding shape to make it the whole way. The better alternative is to find your way to the China hole trail, singeltrack with a much gentler and scenic climb.

Recommended Route:
Flat frog trail to frog lake then to the middle ridge trail. Once at the bottom, find a way to the China hole trail start, a much better route than the fireroad climb back to the headquarters. Take lots of water, especially in summer (and get an early start in summer). Be sure to check yourself for ticks when you get back to the car.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I did a loop to coit lake in Henry Coe that was quite nice. The china hole trail might be a fun downhill and then uphill run. Other than that, I stick to the Braille trail in Soquel and Wilder state ranch in Santa Cruz.

Review Date
August 27, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: punkassean ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This loop is truly fun albeit cumbersome at times. I typically prefer a ride that starts with climbing and finishes with a nice long descent. This ride is sort of the opposite in that you can take Flat Frog trail most of the way to Middle Ridge Trail (which is the beginning of the downhill) After about 3 miles of really fun and fast but not very technical singletrack you end up in Poverty Flats. If you are lucky there might be some water down there but don't take the Rangers word for it, I have been told many times that the river was running only to find it dry. From there you can climb back up Pacheco Road to the HQ. This climb is very steep at times but luckily it is mostly shady until the last mile or so where it's not as steep anyway. You can also climb out of Cougar trail or China Hole trail back up to Manzanita Point and then to HQ. This is a good XC loop but a light hardtail or XC race bike is best, no need for anything over 4" / 28-30lb. bike max and always bring lots and lots of water!

Recommended Route:
HQ > Pacheco Road > Flat Frog > Hobbs Road > Middle Ridge > Pacheco Road back ^ to HQ.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Cougar Trail, China Hole Trail, Jackass Trail, The Narrows, Los Cruzeros

Review Date
June 16, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Review Date
May 18, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Review Date
December 14, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

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