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Russian Ridge
7 reviews
4.29 of 5
(Taken from www.openspace.org)
RUSSIAN RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE is a spectacular place to enjoy the changes in the seasons. In the spring, this 1,580-acre preserve explodes with color as the native wildflowers put on a showy display. This preserve is often named as one of the five best places in the Bay Area to see wildflowers. Early in the spring, the poppies and lupine dominate. By May and June, gumweed, mules ears, farewell-to-spring, and brodiaea bloom. The hills turn to gold in the summer, when the long evening light strikes them. Autumn, when the fog recedes, is the ideal time to enjoy the ridge views of San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains through the crisp, clean air. Winter storms occasionally dust the top of the hills with snow.
The preserve is a patchwork of different plant communities due to its ridge location, steep topography, and numerous springs that create the headwaters of Mindego and Alpine Creeks. Diverse plant communities, miles of forest edge, and abundant springs make Russian Ridge an outstanding habitat for wildlife. Large numbers of raptors soar over the lush grasslands, and coyotes patrol the ridges. The steep forested canyons create a secure refuge for a tremendous variety of animals, including the elusive mountain lion. These beautiful animals have large territories that extend far beyond the preserve boundaries, up to 100 miles! The preserve is also one of the best places in the Bay Area to see raptors. Red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, Cooper's hawks, sharp-shinned hawks and golden eagles have all been seen on the preserve.
(Note from Bob: The Bay Area Ridge Trail passes through this preserve.)
(Taken from www.openspace.org)
The Russian Ridge parking area is located at the intersection of Skyline Boulevard (Route 35) and Alpine Road. Additional parking is located at the Caltrans Vista Point on Skyline Boulevard. You can reach Coal Creek Open Space Preserve from the vista point or further north along Skyline Boulevard at Crazy Petes Road. Coal Creek is also accessible to hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians from Alpine Road.
Summary: i used to live in Portola Valley, and this was my staple. i'd ride up Alpine Road, do Russian Ridge, and then (sometimes) go down Skyline to Windy Hill for the drop back into the valley. 19 miles round trip, and all from the house - a big plus. A good climb up Alpine, my favorite section was the dirt (i'm a mountain biker after all). Skyline was a bit harrowing with Ducati's ripping by at 80+ just off my left elbow, but at least i wasn't watching tv. Bring a good amount of water and food, and enjoy the views. Borel Hill is a great place to kick back and see the whole bay area on clear days. Then, skedaddle just a few hundred yards off behind you, and check out the whole coast (if the fog's out). Just a refreshing place. ENJOY!
Summary: Beautiful scenic views combined with intermediate climbing. I have to disagree with prior reviews as far as describing these trails to be for beginners. There are some challenging climbs but they can be avoided. The single track trails are pretty cool but watch out for loose dirt and sand traps.
Recommended Route: The area is small enough to explore.... Have fun!
Other recommended trails in the same area: Saratoga Gap, Peters Creek, Long Ridge, Grizzly Flat and Stevens Canyon.
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Summary: Russian Ridge is perfect for beginners, I'm a beginner myself and I thoroughly enjoy the trails out there. Lots of loops are available, so you can ride a good distance without being too far from the car. There are lots of fast fire roads, the hills seem a bit steep at points but I'm sure for more intermediate/advanced riders it's nothing. The single track trails are fun, especially if you go down them. Nothing too technical, but just enough on the trail to keep you from getting bored.
Recommended Route: For some pretty moderate uphill to some fun downhill singletracks, start from the Alpine Road parking lot, head up the trail and take the second cut over to Ancient Oaks trail. This trail is singletrack and goes downhill, and it is shaded by trees so it is nice to get out of the sun. Then go right when you hit the bottom, and take the trail that goes up to the Bay Area Ridge Trail, go left on the Ridge Trail, when you get to the Hawk Trail trailhead, go down Hawk Trail, it is a single track downhill trail, and then when you get to the bottom there is some good uphill to get back where you were when you came off of Ancient Oaks. From there do whatever you want, because it's all fun.
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Review Date October 5, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 5 of 5
Technical Difficulty 0 of 5
Ridden Trail: Tested or demo'ed only
Reviewed by:
,
Racer
, from bay area
Favorite Trail: any trail i get to ride
Summary: i must say first that russian ridge is an excellent place to take people to introduce them to mountain biking. the trails are not technical, but twisty enought to make it a decent ride. plenty of loops to ride good mileage, but still stay close to the car. plus, you have multipul chances to stop, catch your breath, and take in the views of the ocean and the bay area. that said, i havent ever ridden these trails in the past for fear of them being too "sucky". well i did a two hour hammer fest with crazy petes loop added yesterday. im pretty tired today. oh did i mention i did it on a Single Speed? yes. this is an excellent trail system for the single speed rider or cyclocross rider on 700c wheels. lots of stand up grinding and flowy singletrack. plenty of loops, add in windy hill, saratoga gap, montebello, alpine, razorback trail, etc... this will be a superb destination when the weather goes sour and the cross bike comes out.
Strengths: good for beginners, single speeders and cyclocross riders. excellent views of the bay and ocean.
Weaknesses: sux to drive all the way up page mill. i will have to ride the cross bike up alpine next time to get there
Other recommended trails in the same area: dirt, rocks, trees, its all the same.
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Review Date August 30, 2003
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 3 of 5
Technical Difficulty 2 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a month
Reviewed by: _tAh_
,
Weekend Warrior
, from Menlo_pARk
Summary: As a beginner this trail was a bit steap @ first but after riding it a few times it becambe alot more enjoyable!
Incredible scenic views of the coast line on a clear day but under the worse conditions the views still tend to take your breath away.
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