Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Hiking Trails

General Information.

Dogs are not allowed on any trails, service roads or back country.
Bicycles are only allowed on the Service Roads, Stern, Bald Mountain, Grey Pine, Hillside and Meadow trails.
There are no bathrooms on any of the trails.
Water found in creeks and springs may not be safe to drink.
The main day use parking lot (past the kiosk) is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Setting out on trails without a map is not recommended. Maps may be obtained at the entrance station or at the visitor center.
By mid-morning, the park gets very hot during the summer months; bring water, sun screen and a hat.
Most of the trails have rocky and steep sections. Wear sturdy shoes designed for hiking.
Many trails require creek crossings. During the dry season, water levels are low but crossing may require stepping on slippery rocks. Following heavy rains, water flow may be swift and the water level my be high and wide. Crossing will be dangerous - be careful!
About elevation changes. The high point of the park is the peak of Sugarloaf Ridge, an elevation change from the visitor center of approximately 1400 feet. Some of the elevation changes shown below represent the approximate total up-and-down change on the trails.

Day Hikes

Creekside Nature Trail. Easy, relatively flat terrain (seasonal creek crossing); 1 mile. Make a loop going through the campground.
Meadow Trail. Easy, relatively flat terrain; 1 mile one way. There is 100% exposure to the sun. Make a loop using Hillside Trail (seasonal creek crossing) , making total mileage 2 miles.
Hillside Trail. Easy; elevation gain of 50 - 500 feet; (seasonal creek crossing); 1 mile one way. Make a loop using Meadow Trail; total mileage 2 miles; 40% sun exposure.
Pony Gate Trail. Moderate; elevation gain of 400 feet; (seasonal creek crossing); 1 mile one way; approximately 20% sun exposure. Options: Make a loop using Canyon Trail; total mileage 1.5 to 2 miles depending on parking lot used; or, make a longer trip traveling from Pony Gate to Stern Trail and beyond (see: Extended Hikes and Loops" below).
Canyon Trail to the water fall. Moderate; elevation gain of 400 feet; 0.8 mile one way; entirely in the shade of the redwood canopy. Options: Make a loop using Pony Gate Trail (seasonal creek crossing) making total mileage 1.5 to 2 miles, depending on parking lot used. Or: Make a longer trip traveling from Canyon Trail to Pony Gate Trail (seasonal creek crossing) to Stern Trail and beyond.
Goodspeed Trail. Moderate; elevation gain of 800 feet; 2.1. miles one way. Approximately 50% sun exposure in the State Park boundary. You can continue into Hood Mountain Regional Park at this point (Gunsite Rock, 1.35 miles).
Stern Trail. Moderate, elevation gain of 100 feet; 1/2 mile one way; 100% sun exposure. Continue on using "Extended Hikes and Loops" below.
Lower Bald Mountain Trail. Moderate; elevation gain of 600 feet; 0.8 miles one way, approximately 40% sun exposure.

Extended Hikes and Loops.

All hikes begin and end at the main day using parking lot. (The day use parking lot is approximately 100 yards from the entrance station on the left side of the road). The trail begins at the right back corner of the parking lot near the display board. Going right puts you on Lower Bald Mountain Trail; make a left to go to Stern Trail. The following directions are minimal and hikes should not be attempted without a map. The time given for each hike is average. Strong hikers will complete the route in less time.

Bald Mountain. Distance 5.6 miles; time 3 hours; elevation change 1,529 feet; 70 - 90% of the trail is in the sun. Activity level: strenuous. Take Stern Trail or Lower Bald Mountain Trail and turn right on Bald Mountain Trail. At the top you will have magnificent views in all directions. Return by reversing directions when you are ready.
Vista Trail Loop. This scenic hike offers great vistas of the park and surrounding hills. An outcropping called "Indian Rock" offers a great overview of the canyon below. Distance 4.1 miles; time 2.5 hours. Elevation change 600 feet. 70 - 90% in the sun. Activity level moderate to strenuous. Take Stern Trail or Lower Bald Mountain Trail and turn right on Bald Mountain Trail. Turn right on Vista Trail and traverse the mountain. Take a right on Grey Pine Trail (seasonal creek crossing) and then a right on Meadow Trail or Hillside Trail (seasonal creek crossing).
Ceremony Tree. Along the Vista Trail, a very old Big Leaf Maple attracts a group of volunteer trainees.
The Red Barn. Distance 8.8 miles, time 5 hours, total elevation change 2250 feet. 70 - 90% of the trail is in the sun. Activity level, strenuous. Take Stern Trail or Lower Bald Mountain Trail and turn right on Bald Mountain trail, turn left on High Ridge Trail, turn around at the Red Barn; this is the end of State Park Property. Return to Bald Mountain Trail and back down the mountain.
Bald Mountain Loop. Distance 6.6 miles, time 4 hours, total elevation change 1530 feet. 70 - 90% of the trail is in the sun. Activity level, strenuous. Take Stern Trail or Lower Bald Mountain Trail and turn right on Bald Mountain Trail. At the top you will have magnificent views in all directions. Turn right onto Grey Pine Trail (be careful not to take High Ridge Trail) (seasonal creek crossing). Turn right on Meadow Trail or stay left another 0.5 miles and then turn right on Hillside Trail (seasonal creek crossing).
Bald Mountain Loop with Red Mountain and Headwaters Trails. Distance 7.4 miles, time 3 hours. elevation change 1529 feet. Sun eposure is 60 - 80%, depending on trail taken. Activity level, strenuous. Take Stern Trail or Lower Bald Mountain Trail and turn right on Bald Mountain Trail. At the top you will have magnificent views in all directions. Turn right onto Grey Pine Trail (be careful not to take High Ridge Trail). Turn right on Red Mountain Trail (this is the second Red Mountain trail sign and is on Grey Pine Trail; the first being on Bald Mountain Trail). Turn left on Headwaters Trail and left on Vista Trail. Turn right on Grey Pine Trail, turn right on Meadow Trail or stay left another .05 miles and then turn right on Hillside Trail (seasonal creek crossing).
BrushyPeaks Trail (the big loop). Distance, 8.2 miles, time 5 hours, total elevation change 2000 feet. 70 - 90% of trail is in the sun, depending on route taken. Activity level, strenuous. Take Stern Trail or Lower Bald Mountain Trail and turn right on Bald Mountain Trail. At the top you will have magnificent views in all directions. Turn right onto Grey Pine Trail (be careful not to take High Ridge Trail). Turn left on Brushy Peaks Trail. Turn left on Hill side Trail (seasonal creek crossing) or stay right another .05 miles and then turn left on Meadow Trail.

Photos by Chris Ward and Al Stumpf

For Volunteer Opportunities contact:

Susan St.Marie
Volunteer Coordinator
Valley of the Moon State Parks
sstmarie@parks.ca.gov
707-938-4827

Park Address:

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

2605 Adobe Canyon Road

Kenwood, California 95452-9004

707-833-5712

For a MapQuest map of the park location, click here

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