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Wilder Ranch State Park Mountain Bike Trail
Santa Cruz, California
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:    |
18 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 12/22/11 by macr88 |
Difficulty:  Beginner |
| Length: 10 miles | Global Rank: #837 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Network |
| Ridden: 139 | Wishlist: 48 |
| Avg. Speed: 5.41 mph | Avg. Time: 2hr 12min |
Directions:
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Description: From the parking lot, start down the dirt path north the bathrooms. At the bottom of the hill, you will have to walk your bike through the ranch. Once on the trails, there is good signage at the intersections. Start on the Englesman Loop Trail, a gradual and exposed climb. After about a mile, instead of going on the rest of the loop, turn off to the left onto Wild Boar Trail where the singletrack fun begins. Continue on Old Cabin Trail - sweet singletrack through the forest. There are even a few rooty technical sections, but don't worry, they're easy enough to just roll over cuz you will be going fast. At the next intersection, take the Eucalyptus Loop Trail (more open fireroad) and head for Enchanted Loop trail. I hear the Enchanted loop trail has some technical singletrack downhill, but it was closed probably due to wet conditions. Now you have two options - Wilder Ridge Loop trail has some cut-offs and is mostly singletrack, then head back to the parking lot. Or you can take the lower part of Enchanted Loop and get on Baldwin Loop. Baldwin Loop is all downhill towards the ocean. Near the bottom of Baldwin Loop, there is a narrow trail that veers off to right where it eventually ends up at Hwy1. Cross Hwy1 and ride towards the beach. Once on the beach, the trail is a little difficult to find. On your left there are some steep hills you will have to carry your bike up and get on the doubletrack. Cruise on the doubletrack (I think the trail is called Old Cove Landing Trail) that rims the cliffside and take in the views of the Pacific Ocean. This trail eventually spits you out at the parking lot.
Description: From the parking lot, start down the dirt path north the bathrooms. At the bottom of the hill, you will have to walk your bike through the ranch. Once on the trails, there is good signage at the intersections. Start on the Englesman Loop Trail, a gradual and exposed climb. After about a mile, instead of going on the rest of the loop, turn off to the left onto Wild Boar Trail where the singletrack fun begins. Continue on Old Cabin Trail - sweet singletrack through the forest. There are even a few rooty technical sections, but don't worry, they're easy enough to just roll over cuz you will be going fast. At the next intersection, take the Eucalyptus Loop Trail (more open fireroad) and head for Enchanted Loop trail. I hear the Enchanted loop trail has some technical singletrack downhill, but it was closed probably due to wet conditions. Now you have two options - Wilder Ridge Loop trail has some cut-offs and is mostly singletrack, then head back to the parking lot. Or you can take the lower part of Enchanted Loop and get on Baldwin Loop. Baldwin Loop is all downhill towards the ocean. Near the bottom of Baldwin Loop, there is a narrow trail that veers off to right where it eventually ends up at Hwy1. Cross Hwy1 and ride towards the beach. Once on the beach, the trail is a little difficult to find. On your left there are some steep hills you will have to carry your bike up and get on the doubletrack. Cruise on the doubletrack (I think the trail is called Old Cove Landing Trail) that rims the cliffside and take in the views of the Pacific Ocean. This trail eventually spits you out at the parking lot.
added in 2003 by 
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TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by oneillst on August 8, 2011
Great trail for the beginning rider and those looking for great views. Trails near the cliffs of Santa Cruz, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The trail is mainly simple gravel singletrack/doubletrack, with no obstacles. Signage on trail is minimal, and turn-offs and junctions can be confusing so take a map to avoid wasting time figuring out where you are and where you're going.
reviewed by josh_manning@live.com on June 21, 2010
cool cant go wrong you can climb on fire roads and jam down on some sweet single track, you can find something to keep you entertained a local showed me an unmarked single track that was awesome.
Similar Trail: arnold rim trail
reviewed by eleddy on February 28, 2010
Went on Feb 27th and the east side was closed but the bluffs trails are still open and extremely muddy.
reviewed by lacordes on February 22, 2010
so much variety on the terrain at this place, it really has something for everyone!
reviewed by tontonuy5 on November 16, 2009
Good climbs, Nice views. You gotta do the Enchanted Loop. I went down to Baldwin Loop from there and ended up back down on Highway One. I guess no one uses that part a lot coz the weeds and flora were all over the trail trying to get a hold of me. From there I went to 4 Mile Beach and took the Ohlone Bluff Trail back to the parking lot. Beautiful.
Similar Trail: Marin Headlands
reviewed by Fatguyonbike73 on September 21, 2009
This was our first Santa Cruz trip, and my wife's first ride on her new bike...and it turned out great. The eastside of hwy1 seemed had a lot of good trails and good scenery.
reviewed by Danc on July 26, 2008
Easy trail in in most places, some places may require a walk around the obstacle for safety. However, the best is under the redwood single tracks, the great meadow views of the ocean, and cooled ocean air. Some of the best times to ride wilder is the fall and spring just after a rain. The forest comes alive with colors. This also is a place to bring a small camera--lots of deer, bobcat, and wild turkeys. * Review edited 7/26/2008
* Review edited 7/26/2008
reviewed by Blue42 on July 2, 2008
Great ride! Overall, pretty easy, but the climb through the enchanted loop is more challenging. Beautiful scenery.
Similar Trail: Point Mugu State Park
reviewed by tumbleweed14 on June 16, 2008
This review is for the suggested route given above in the description of the trail. I can understand the complaints made by some of the other riders/reviewers but I gave this ride 4 stars anyway. They're right. There is a lot of double track and fire road, and only a few sections of singletrack. However, the sections of fun singletrack came just as I started getting bored. Included are some FANTASTIC views and descents into some small sections of redwood (Old Cabin Trail and Enchanted Loop Trail). After a long, fast, rough, descent on Baldwin trail. You're rewarded with a flat, coastal cliff ride (Old Cove Trail) back to the lot. Maybe it was the perfect weather, the variety of trail type, maybe the tail wind at the end, the solitude on a Monday late morning/early afternoon, or maybe the fact that I live in western TN, but anyway I look at it I had a great time. Summary: Not technical, not too much climbing, but it is a great ride for newer riders and anyone looking for a great mellow ride with some breathtaking views.
* Review edited 6/16/2008
Similar Trail: Soquel, Saratoga Gap, Corte madera
reviewed by megafuntime on May 5, 2007
If you plan on keeping yourself attatched to your bike for the full ride, Wilder won't have an incredible amount to offer you. Part of the experience at this place is jumping off now and then to take in the spectacular views. It's a perfect place for beginners but for everyone else it offers more relaxation that excitement.
reviewed by dplusdude on April 30, 2007
this trail was a disappointment. Lot's of boring, loose rock climbing, uneventful fire road with some fun singletrack mixed in. Enchanted forest is supposed to be sick, but we stupidly skipped it to follow some misguided local advice. Also, there's alot of closed trails that lead to an outdated and confusing map experienc. There has got to be something better in the SC area??!!! http://www.dimensionplusmedia.com * Review edited 4/30/2007
* Review edited 4/30/2007
reviewed by Reno on December 8, 2006
I can ride to it from my house so it is easy, has some nice single track and you can also climb up to UCSC and find additional singletrack then blast downhill to the car.
Similar Trail: Lake Chabot
reviewed by dwichman on June 6, 2006
This place is pretty cool, but if you're expecting tons of epic singletrack you might be dissapointed. Mostly fireroad with some singletracks sprinkled in the middle. It's a great local ride, but I wouldn't travel great distances to ride it.
reviewed by gab26 on April 2, 2006
Wilder was a disappointment for me. I expected more from what I had read about the place. I found a little singletrack mixed with alot of fireroad or dobule track.
reviewed by zcab911 on October 24, 2005
Been here twice now. Since I prefer starting out climbing, I parked on Hwy 1 just up from the park entrance. Access to the Hwy tunnel is not marked well, but I finally found it. It's a good ride going up... nothing too long and strenuous, though several trails can get your cardio up. Last time up, I went on the Enchated trail, which drops you into a grove of redwood fairy rings. Out of this world. Caution, though... the section between the forest and the baldwin Loop is very technical (big roots/erosion) and steep, and was tough for me (a novice) to negotiate. The connection between Euccalyptus is less technical, but still very steep. If you can get into the forest though, it is worth it. Second word of caution, which I found out twice, is that it goes from dusk to dark rapidly, and unless you are prepared to come out in the dark, plan ahead! Well worth it, and I will do it again.
reviewed by Scarpa on August 9, 2005
Awesome riding for a newbie like me. Smooth fireroad ascents and a fair amount of fun singletrack here and there. There's also a really nice bluff trail for a mellow ride with the less adventurous.
reviewed by Pedro_Carvalho on December 23, 2004
Awesome singletrack and great views of the ocean. Very close to Santa Cruz, a cool place to go for a after-ride beer!
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