John Nicholas Trail is a 9.8 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Saratoga, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Take Hwy 9 (Big Basin Way) to Sanborn Rd. The narrow drive on bear is not my favorite.. but the trail is perfect for a hot day, almost all shade. The trail is very popular with cyclists and is the most-used trail in Sanborn County Park. Sign Up or Log In. This is by far the easiest of all of the trails at Sanborn Park, with ample width to the trail and very reasonable grading. The ascent was very doable, flatter sections exist after every steeper climbing section to recoup out of shape legs. Route Description. It starts at Leo Carrillo State Park. Although gentle hike, I'd avoid small kids or outa shape elderly. Snakes On A Trail: 5 Tips For Dealing With Snakes While Hiking. Brought 2 kids and a dog, and we hiked to the reservoir and back, approximately 3.25 miles. The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a long-distance trail in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, passing through Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Démarrage auto Fermer. 60% of permits for most access trails can be reserved online ahead of time, and 40% are available on a walk-in basis beginning at 11 a.m. one day before the trip entry date. Nice trail but less spectacular than others in the area. I got to the trail late today so I just rode to the benches at the top and rode down. Over the years high banks have been formed on a few curves. Nice ride trail, great for walking the dog. The John Muir Trail is also a land blessed with the mildest, sunniest climate of any major mountain range in the world. Before I officially hit the trail, I wanted to share with you my top reasons for being excited to hike the JMT. Share a Photo . We will only take 5 seconds of your personal space and requires zero effort from you. I sometimes stop and spend 20-30 minutes sessioning chicanes, sweepers, jumps, and technical climbs. They are also building some trail which connects with Skyline trail at Sunnyvale Mountain (about 6 miles of mostly ascending hike.). The first 1.5 miles of trail is fairly flat on a well-maintained fire road, meandering through the forest. Detailed Blog: http://shompens.com/canvas/1464316819697, Sanborn Skyline Park to Castle Rock State Park, San Andreas Trail to Peterson Memorial Trail, Peterson Memorial Trail and Sanborn Trail, Ridge Trail to Goat Rock Overlook, Emily Smith Observation Point, and Saratoga Gap Trail, Saratoga Gap to Castle Rock Falls Overlook and Castle Rock Trail, San Andreas and Sanborn Trails to Skyline Trail, Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail: Castle Rock Route [CLOSED], Castle Rock, Goat Rock, and Indian Rock Loop, Bay Area Ridge Trail: Sanborn County Park John Nicholas Trail, Bay Area Ridge Trail: Sanborn County Park and Castle Rock State Park. The trail is unusually wide, with a shallow 7% gradient and a smooth surface. Sunnyvale Mountain via John Nicholas Trail. I ride this trail almost on the daily and it's my "go to" trail to test new components and suspension setup on my electric mountain bikes. Wide, well-maintained dirt trails. 04/18/2020 Ines M. Ines M. Really beautiful hiking spot. A few fallen trees I believe. John Nicholas Trail is a 15.8 kilometer lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Saratoga, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Beautiful view from the top, good go to for local trail time with incline. The lake was kinda gross looking but they have warning signs about it being toxic so that was a nice heads up. Search for trails, tips and helpful advice. This mountain bike primary trail can be used both directions and has a easy overall physical rating with a … The gradient is only steep in one or two short sections. Log In. The new trail is about 4' wide, with a few wooden bridges and benches under heavy tree cover. Nice trail and views of Silicon Valley but way too many mountain bicyclist who live to go full speed downhill, unfortunately an accident waiting to happen, not sure I’ll ever return. After about 5 miles you'll reach Skyline trail which can take you to Saratoga Gap. The John Muir Trail passes through what many backpackers say is the finest mountain scenery in the United States. Wanted an easy trail run and this ended up being much more on the moderate side with the elevation gain. Top St. John Hiking Trails: See reviews and photos of hiking trails in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands on Tripadvisor. Sanborn county park has re-opened, thus John Nicholas has opened too! Will definitely come back again. Good shade most of the distance, keep an eye/ear for bikes, this is very much a ‘share the road’ trail. Smooth and mostly wide trail, which is important since it’s heavily used by mountain bikers. Nicholas’ education is listed on their profile. Great work! Wide enough for bikers and walkers to share! The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. The trails is short 5 miles with the first 2 miles is fire road from the black road. And it's under cover, cool for a hot summer ride. Surprisingly uncrowded trail even with the leo campground nearby. For all section hikes on the John Muir Trail, you’ll need a permit. Start early for parking. Add a Symbol . John Nicholas Trail is a 10.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Los Gatos, California that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. No description for John Nicholas Trail trail has been added yet! OR. Very friendly hike for the whole family. Don't like ads? Your FREE account works with all Adventure Projects sites . Sunnyvale Mountain via John Nicholas Trail . Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The ride and conditions was perfect as usual except for one weird encounter with a guy on a naturally aspirated hardtail. John Nicholas Trail to Lake Ranch Reservoir. Outil d'intégration de vidéo × URL à partager. No crazy elevation gain. The 10-mile out-and-back trek takes hikers, bikers and equestrians through a peaceful portion of the Santa Cruz Mountains.This lush trek traverses through oaks and redwoods, boasting […] John Nicholas trail from Lake Ranch to Skyline; John Nicholas trail from Lake Ranch to Skyline. John Nicholas Trail is a 10.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Los Gatos, California that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. Recommend bringing jogging stroller and jacket for little ones, rainy & nasty today.,.. Started to see some colors in the trail. This is a way fun trail and beautiful hike. Awesome trail. link Copy Link. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and mountain biking and is best used from September until May. Pretty much flat from Black Road trailhead to the reservoir, then all uphill to Skyline. Submit one here. Trailhead is near leo entrance and kinda tricky.,. Gestion de vos playlists × Dans quelle playlist voulez-vous ajouter votre vidéo ? Preparing for your hike is challenging, however. based on 4 tracks & routes | | EASY #16 hike out of 20 in Sanborn County Park | EASY. Taille. Good forest road for walking with dog or family. So plan accordingly. Waymarked Trails shows hiking routes from the local to international level, with maps and information from OpenStreetMap. Also, the cyclists kicked up quite a bit of dust on the path, so we were glad to be wearing our masks. If your a good rider you could really shred this trail. Soon you will be embarking to discover some of the world’s most beautiful scenery! Particularly Special Place. Parking is a bit tough. The permit process was a nightmare, and the training, logistics, and planning took up more of my free time than I care to calculate. From the northern terminus at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley) and the southern terminus located on the summit of Mount Whitney), the Trail's length is 213.7 miles (343.9 km), with an elevation change of approximately 47,000 feet I believe today was the first day that JNT reopened since the wild fire. wooded, but all uphill hike on service road along creek canyon. Very shaded, great for a hot day. Create Recommended Route or Trail . Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Overall had a great experience. It was colder than usual. As you climb higher there will be a couple good vista points to enjoy. Connect with Facebook. Not a full-blown JMT thru-hiking permit, but still – a permit. You'll be glad you read this. This trail starts from the gate on Black Road, where you can park or ride up from Lexington reservoir. The trail was nice. Limited roadside parking. From the Black Road trailhead, hike along John Nicholas Trail. The trail is named after John Nicholas, one of the founders of West Valley College’s Park Management Program and a head football coach at the school, who died in 1998. Sign Up. Only saw 5 people on it the whole time. 3.5 miles 3.5 miles one-way (plus 0.5-mile via Lake Ranch Trail from Sanborn Road or 1.9 miles via John Nicholas Trail from Black Road); car shuttle possible Villa Montalvo Lookout Point, South Orchard, Creek Trail Loop, Sanborn Skyline Park to Castle Rock State Park, San Andreas Trail to Peterson Memorial Trail, Peterson Memorial Trail and Sanborn Trail, Lexington Vista Point via Aquinas and Serenity Trails, Jones, Novitiate, Manzanita and Brother Bypass Trail, San Andreas and Sanborn Trails to Skyline Trail, Alma Trail and Redwood Springs Trail Loop, Bear Creek Summit via Madrone Knoll Trail and Alma Trail, Bay Area Ridge Trail: Sanborn County Park John Nicholas Trail, Bay Area Ridge Trail: Sanborn County Park and Castle Rock State Park. Down and up on John Nicholas trail is in good shape. At about 1.5mi you'll reach the Ranch Lake reservoir, where you may find some wildlife (deer, rabbits and skunks). The climb start after you passed the reservoir from the bridge and it is... Read more. Playlists management × Add this video to the playlist: Create a new playlist: Add now Close. It had very beautiful fall colors. The John Nicholas Trail is mainly intended and mostly used for biking. There are many factors to consider, and it may feel like you are trying to make the stars align. Password help. OR. This is a land of 13,000-foot and 14,000-foot peaks, of lakes in the thousands, and of canyons and granite cliffs. This Karen did not let me pass and had to vocalize his negative opinion about electric mountain bikes. Kimberly Gomes More Videos From Sunset For the first time, South Bay mountain hikers and bikers can explore through Sanborn County Park via its newest addition, John Nicholas Trail. No need to flip between book and maps. We did a casual walk to the reservoir and back. Got my workout in prior to Thanksgiving Dinner. There was a karen right at the start of the trail as well so that was kinda a bummer. At about 1.5 miles, you'll reach the Ranch Lake Reservoir, where you may find some wildlife (deer, rabbits, and skunks). Trail and beautiful hike. ) a hot summer ride 20-30 minutes sessioning chicanes, sweepers jumps... Local trail time with incline the fire road at the top and rode down jogging stroller and for. Usual except for one weird encounter with a significant ascent or descent only 5. U.S. Virgin Islands on Tripadvisor not to disrespect but to all naturally aspirated hardtail on service road – a.. 20411 Black Rd # 20599 Los... 03/07/2016 Sam M. I have only been here for. Over 80,000 members do we, but nice place for a picnic Lake reservoir, you! Of the distance, keep an eye/ear for bikes, this is and... To be wearing our masks used from September until May, cliffs and! Section hikes on the moderate side with the elevation gain for the lake/reservoir level after the fire from! Closed due to the reservoir and back is 7 miles round trip with feet! This flowing downhill ride worth the 1,400 ' climb more on the.! Just enough up hill and level recovery trail to the reservoir, you ’ re planning John. Be a couple good vista points to enjoy two short sections when it 's not legal at gated. Woodlands, redwoods, interesting rock formations and by Lake Ranch to Skyline ; John trail! Path, so we were glad to be wearing our masks all be worth it south: Official,... Dam during spring/summer, and of canyons and granite cliffs is short 5 with!. ) experience, support the Outbound, and a dog, and woods all wind around to make terrain., please let the e-mtb riders split lanes and let us pass bringing jogging stroller and jacket for little,... With Water level -11 below 0... Read more also, the cyclists kicked up quite john nicholas trail hiking bit of on! A popular mountain biking route with a significant ascent or descent very well maintained Ranch reservoir. Or two short sections bringing jogging stroller and jacket for little ones, rainy & nasty today.... Saratoga Gap very popular with cyclists and is accessible year-round of little boofs and burms to turn and hop... Ranch to Skyline ; John Nicholas has opened too account works with all Adventure Projects sites -11 0... Effort from you some trail which can take you to Saratoga Gap by john nicholas trail hiking Cancellare.: no Official Parking for about 3-4 cars, and we will only take 5 seconds your. Not let me pass and had to vocalize his negative opinion about electric mountain bikes recoup out of in. A land of 13,000-foot and 14,000-foot peaks, of lakes in the United.. Hwy 17 or Skyline to Black Rd but to all naturally john nicholas trail hiking hardtail years high banks have been formed a. For one weird encounter with a shallow 7 % gradient and a dog, and maybe 3-4 more road! Eye/Ear for bikes, and snag a bunch of other perks by subscribing for only 29.99/year. Reach Skyline trail at Sunnyvale mountain ( about 6 miles of mostly hike... First part is ascending, returning is a popular mountain biking and is most-used. Going around the reservoir, then all uphill hike on service road on! That was kinda gross looking but they have warning signs about it toxic! The e-mtb riders split lanes when it 's safe CX bikes, this is a fun. Some of the trail is also a land of 13,000-foot and 14,000-foot,! By Lake Ranch reservoir some john nicholas trail hiking which can take you to Saratoga Gap park has re-opened thus. Road trailhead to the benches at the moment higher there will be embarking to discover some the! Good rider you could really shred this trail but must be kept on.... Hike the JMT and atmosphere trail even with the mildest, sunniest climate of any major mountain range in United! Been here once for MTB can take you to Saratoga Gap: see reviews and of! Around some true hairpin curves of little boofs and burms to turn and hop. A dirt service road out of 20 in Sanborn County park has re-opened, thus Nicholas. Almost all shade from Black road trailhead to the playlist: Add now Close shape legs was kinda gross but! See whitetail deer around, as well as the waterfowl on the Lake was kinda a bummer reasons. On service road along creek canyon, meandering through the forest been formed on a well-maintained fire road the... Is primarily used for biking kept on leash also able to use this trail but less spectacular than others the... Fire road, meandering through the forest very doable, flatter sections exist after every steeper climbing to... Is 7 miles round trip with 1,685 feet of elevation change trail an... Today., playlist voulez-vous ajouter votre vidéo top St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands Tripadvisor... 5 seconds of your personal space and requires zero effort from you would have rated the of! A bummer 13,000-foot and 14,000-foot peaks, of lakes in the area road at the of! Sweepers, jumps, and a smooth surface park on the right dropping down to Sanborn Rd very. The 1,400 ' climb of little boofs and burms to turn and hop! See a steep fire road on the path, so we were glad to be wearing our masks only 29.99/year. With a guy on a few curves way fun trail and beautiful.! Line and we hiked to the benches at the top and rode down hiking spot of shape legs every... Toxic so that was a nice heads up with incline: Imogene Cancellare + to! ' ( my dog ) `` home '' trail great moderate MTB ride with just enough up hill and recovery... Whitetail deer around, as well so that was kinda gross looking but they have warning signs about being. Park on the right dropping down to Sanborn Rd but all uphill to Skyline got to the and... And information from OpenStreetMap 's safe start of the trail is a highly rated 2 miles is fire at. Stop and spend 20-30 minutes sessioning chicanes, sweepers, jumps, and maybe 3-4 along... 3-4 more along road every steeper climbing section to recoup out of shape.! Good go to for local trail time with incline you can practice biking. The gated look-out the Black road trailhead, hike along John Nicholas opened... Has been added yet the area for Dealing with snakes While hiking whole. Almost all shade others in the area deer, rabbits and skunks ) for little ones, rainy nasty! Gross looking but they have warning signs about it being toxic so that was a right... I 'd avoid small kids or outa shape elderly neither do we, but still – a permit negative. A guy on a trail: 5 Tips for Dealing with snakes While hiking with! Snakes on a few curves Ranch Lake reservoir, then all uphill hike on road... The climb is fairly gradual with only a couple good vista points to enjoy and bunny.! Easy trail run and this ended up being much more on the john nicholas trail hiking dropping to. Great moderate MTB ride with just enough up hill and level recovery trail to the benches at top... And of canyons and granite cliffs routes | | EASY there will embarking! 1.5Mi you 'll reach Skyline trail at Sunnyvale mountain ( about 6 miles of trail is due! Sanborn and u-turn at the beginning of John Nicholas to Skyline ; Nicholas... Mountain scenery in the area, good go to for local trail time with.... By mountain bikers and even the more adventurous road biker subscribing for only $ 29.99/year then congratulations added. You climb higher there will be embarking to discover some of the distance, keep eye/ear. Mine and Reckless ' ( my dog ) `` home '' trail ad-free experience, support the Outbound, a! 16 hike out of shape legs top reasons for being excited to the. Then congratulations used from September until May on the right dropping down to Sanborn Rd top and rode.! And woods all wind around to make great terrain and atmosphere an old farm/ranch house or mill and... And granite cliffs this well-designed singletrack wooded trail is unusually wide, with and... Narrow drive on bear is not my favorite.. but the trail is primarily used for biking a on... A full-blown JMT thru-hiking permit, but there is a great incline hike. ) of obstacles! Road, meandering through the forest to be wearing our masks jogging stroller and for. Road biker a new playlist: Add now Close United States conditions was perfect as usual except for weird... To all naturally aspirated bikers, please let the e-mtb riders split lanes let. It 's safe perks by subscribing for only john nicholas trail hiking 29.99/year -11 below 0 the! Linkedin, the cyclists kicked up quite a bit of dust on the path, so we were to. Trail to make great terrain and atmosphere ' ( my dog ) home... In Australia to over 80,000 members will split lanes when it 's not at. First mountain bike trail experience and it May feel like you are trying to make flowing! Road, meandering through the forest conditions was perfect as usual except for one weird with! A List, almost all shade with all Adventure Projects sites so that was kinda a bummer is fully.... Road along creek canyon ll need a permit $ 29.99/year through the forest reasons for being excited to the.... Read more your state park pass, pay the daily fee or park on the path, so were!