Up in the Santa Cruz hills in the Big Basin area, there is a crossroads at Highway 9 (Big Basin Way) and Highway 35 (Skyline Blvd). This seemingly uninteresting area has a car park called Saratoga Gap Parking. This place is a meeting area for all kinds of activities in the surrounding open spaces and roads. There are often food vendors here selling hot dogs, drinks, or other snacks. There are motorcyclists, road cyclists, hikers, and of course mountain bikers. Even some tailgaters hang out here enjoying the mood. The parking lot is large so there is always room to park. At least I have never had trouble parking here. Despite the popularity of the area, the trails are not congested and there is room for everyone. Just be aware there are hikers sharing the trail but they usually step off if you announce yourself as you overtake them. These trails are primarily for mountain bikers so you can be confident you are not poaching the trail. This is a great ride with some smooth stretches mixed with technical difficulty in places and some switchbacks. There are varying elevations throughout but no heavy climbs or steep downhills. Most of the trails are under the forest canopy of oaks and Douglas firs offering a lot of shade on a hot sunny day but there are stretches in open country with grasses and blazing sunshine. It provides a nice contrast to get warmed up and then plunge back into the cooler woods.

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Getting there

The entry is across the street from the parking lot. If you go northwest from the parking area and cross Highway 9 you will find Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve and the trailhead. Be careful when crossing Big Basin Way as traffic is often going fast around the blind curve. I run across quickly to avoid being a hood ornament. If you feel unsafe you can go to the four-way stop and cross there then make your way to the trailhead.
Once on Saratoga Gap Trail, things start with a mild climb at an angle up a hillside in an open sunny area. Most of the year the grass is golden and shines in the sun but in spring it is an explosion of color as all the wildflowers bloom and the grass is green. Both seasons are a good time to visit but in spring it will be muddy so dress for wet. Let’s face it, getting muddy is a bonus. Once you’ve arrived at the top of the hill the trail descends through a wooded area with tight switchbacks. I’m tall with a 29″ wheel bike so I have to work to stay balanced making those tight turns. If you have a shorter wheelbase these turns won’t be a problem at all. Further on there is a trail area dominated by tree roots and small stones on a slight downhill. It is located just before you cross Charcoal Rd Trail. This is a really fun section but if you aren’t aware of it you can easily get stuck. Sometimes my approach isn’t good and I have to dismount.

Hickory Oaks Trail

Saratoga Gap Trail crosses Skyline Blvd becoming Hickory Oaks Trail. When Hickory Oaks Trail Ts with Achistaca Trail turn right and continue following Hickory Oaks Trail. It splits into two paths but you can go either way, they both lead to the same place. There is a nice location here called Turtle Rock. It is a good place to take a break, have some fluids, and maybe a trail packet of nuts. The rocks are nice and warm in a sunny grove with excellent lounging and leaning potential. Just watch out for rattlesnakes when they are in season and running about.
Keep on Hickory Oaks Trail until you reach Ward Rd Trail. There is an earlier cutoff from Hickory Oaks Trail to Ward Rd Trail if you want to shorten your ride but if you miss it don’t worry you’ll pick up the main trail further down. Either path you will be making a right-hand turn onto the new trail. You will come to Long Ridge Rd. This is a dirt fire road and if you see some tire tracks you’re in the right place. There is a mild increase in elevation but it is easygoing. Just avoid the ruts left by previous vehicles in muddy conditions. These hard ruts can twist you up. The road breaks out of the woods into a sunny grassy area. There is a stone bench (Wallace Stegner Bench) with a fantastic view and you can see the ocean way off in the distance. This is your destination. I like to have lunch here or just sit for a while and absorb the environment. If you are here in the early morning or evening you will see fog tendrils coming off the ocean drift up the gully between the ridges.

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This is a good decision point. Take the road back or retrace the trail you just came from. Your day should be about half over by now. I usually go back along Long Ridge Rd and pick up Ward Rd Trail on the left to Skyline Blvd. You can ride along the highway back to the parking lot if you are feeling spent from your ride. The highway is an easy way back and there is room on the side of the road to avoid traffic, especially if you are on a mountain bike and can go off-road when cars approach. If you still have the juice you can retrace the trail in its entirety back to your starting point. That tricky root system at the beginning is a real challenge when going uphill. If you arrive back at the parking lot before 6 pm the vendors will likely still be there and you can relax and enjoy some snacks to celebrate your efforts.

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