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Reviews 1 - 5 (6 Reviews Total)
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Review Date
January 28, 2013 Overall Rating
 4 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5
Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5
Ridden Trail:
Once a year
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Reviewed by: Luke Smith
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Weekend Warrior Summary:
Even though you're not allowed on the hiking trails, there are tons of fire roads to ride on. And with Butano State Park right next door, you can ride for a long time. It's easy to get to, good facilities, well maintained, and not too crowded. Hard workout. Recommended Route:
28 miles - Big Basin Park Headquarters to Gazos Creek Rd. The trail is mostly uphill with a few downhill sections for the next ~6.5 miles. At Sandy Point, (you’ll know you’re there because of the elaborate tree house and railroad cars) continue on Gazos Creek Rd which turns into a very steep rutted downhill (probably some of my favorite riding here), then mellows out to a paved road. Take a right at Cloverdale Rd which is an easy-going, paved stretch. It’s also the lowest point in elevation of this ride, expect a lot of uphill from here. While on Cloverdale Rd, you’ll pass the Butano State Park entrance and about 1 mile later turn right through a gate onto Butano Fire Trail. There’s going to be a lot of steady climbing for the next ~10 miles, but there are some highlights and gorgeous views along the way. Including a cool old air strip. Turn right onto Johansen Rd which is well marked and near the pinnacle of the climb. Now things get fun as it’s mostly downhill. After ~.7 miles veer left to stay on Middle Ridge Rd. Turn left at the gate onto Gazos creek and head back to the parking lot. I have pictures and maps of the ride posted here - http://goo.gl/YFhG8
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Review Date
June 4, 2007 Overall Rating
 5 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5
Technical Difficulty
4 of 5
Ridden Trail:
Once a year
Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1.00 votes
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Reviewed by: aliikane
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Cross Country Rider Summary:
Sweet ride if you poach. If you ride the legal trails you are in for disappointment. Poaching on all the hiking trails is sick. Riding across granite slabs on nice single track. 2 cool rides here but the whole time you are riding illegal. It is understandable that they make all of these trails illegal for riding. The place is a hiking mecca. People from all over go hike here. But, the occasional poach on a weekday will put a smile on your face. Recommended Route:
Ride #1: Park at Big Basin Headquarters. Ride back up about 4 miles on road towards china grade. Make a left at china grade. About 1/2 mile up the road is an entrance to the hiking trail on the left. Just follow single track all the way and it takes you back to headquarters.
Ride #2: Park at Big Basin Headquarters. Ride towards ocean on big basin to sea trail. It is about 1 mile up and 8 miles down. Some sick downhills with rocky chutes but remember you have to ride back up the 8 miles. Trail goes all the way to the ocean. The way home is a tough ride. Bring lots of water.
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Review Date
September 17, 2005 Overall Rating
 3 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5
Technical Difficulty
2 of 5
Ridden Trail:
Every few months
Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1.00 votes
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Reviewed by: boulder creek fuel rider
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Cross Country Rider Summary:
Fire roads-Good training ride- Great views- Good on the hottest days Recommended Route:
Big Basin Headquarters to Johansen rd. up to China Grade- left to Butano Ridge(stay left at Boy Scout Camp) Climbs and drops- crosses old airstrip-great view- keep going-it turns into 6 mile fast downhill to pavement- go left to Butano State park. Good lunch spot- bathrooms-water. Great little park that hardly gets visited. Back out to pavement- left for about 1.5 miles-left on Gazos Creek Road- very gradual climb on pavement for 2-3 miles. Go thru the Big Gate onto dirt then start one of the hardest 2.2 miles of uphill in the Santa Cruz Mtns. One of the best little ferny creeks anywhere with a hundred little waterfalls after a hard rain.Top of Gazos is the bottom of Johansen. Gazos back to Big Basin Headquarters. A 36 mile loop with about 6.5miles repeated (in the other direction).Below airstrip should be avoided after big rains. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Whitehouse Road to the Chalk Mtn overlook- great views of Ano Nuevo Island
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Review Date
September 11, 2004 Overall Rating
5 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty
3 of 5
Technical Difficulty
2 of 5
Ridden Trail:
Once a month
Visitors rate this review
3.33 of 5,
3.00 votes
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Reviewed by: Quasi
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Cross Country Rider Summary:
Versitile fireroad trails, mostly shady. Middle Ridge trail has plenty of climbs for anybody. Watch out for the first one coming off of Gazos Creek road, its long and rather steep in places, slippery with leaves and cones. If you don't make it up this first climb, its a long way to push the bike to the top.
Like other reviewer said, watch out for the sand traps usually at the bottom of descents. There is little shade going out from Sandy Point to Chalk mountain, sunscreen recommended. The route takes me about three hours (21.6 miles), so I do it once, take a break at the ranger station, refill my water bottles, and do it again.
There is little water, and it would have to be treated, so bring at least three liters, preferably 4 to 5. You are never more than like 12.6 mostly downhill miles from the Park HQ, so carrying your bike back is doable if necessary. Recommended Route:
Gazos Creek Road out of the HQ area(go East a bit on the road paralleling 260, cross the bridge, you are on Gazos); Right on Middle Ridge Road; Left on Johansen Road to Sandy Point; leaving Sandy Point go West on Whitehouse Road (if you are tired at this point you can return via Gazos Creek Road); then left on Chalk Road to Chalk Mountain Point; relax for a bit and watch the Pacific Ocean or the fog hiding it. Return to Sandy Point the way you came. Go right (south) on Gazos Creek Road all the way back to the HQ. If you still have time, do it again.
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Review Date
June 7, 2002 Overall Rating
 1 of 5
Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once
Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5,
4.00 votes
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Reviewed by: Aaron
, from San Francisco Summary:
this is not a ride, this is a waste of your time.. Recommended Route:
don't bother Other recommended trails in the same area:
soquel, skeggs, napa
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Reviews 1 - 5 (6 Reviews Total)
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