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If you have previously completed the Intermediate Hiking for Fitness Program or can hike 8.5 miles with at least 2,000ft of elevation, this hike is for you! We strongly recommend completion of the shorter version of the Bald Mt. hike (in and out via Bald Mountain Trail) as a pre-requisite. This hike will be an approximately 8.5-mile point-to-point hike with 1900ft elevation gain and a short detour to Gunsight Rock. This outing is not for children under 18 years old.We will meet at Hood Mountain Regional Park's Pythian Rd parking lot. From there, we will carpool to Sugarloaf's Goodspeed parking lot on Adobe Canyon Rd, where we will begin our hike on the Goodspeed Trail. Goodspeed has a major water crossing that is likely to have receded notably by April. Goodspeed turns into Nattkemper Trail at the Sugarloaf Ridge SP boundary. We will continue to Gunsight Rock and then to the Hood Mountain summit. From there, we will continue on the Summit Trail to Hood Mountain Trail to Upper Johnson to Pond Trail to Lower Johnson Ridge Trail, which ends at the parking lot on Pythian Rd. For those who left their car at the Goodspeed lot, we will carpool them back to pick up their car.
This event requires registration. There is a $10 deposit per ticket, which will be returned post-hike, unless you choose to donate it to support Sugarloaf. Wear appropriate footwear for rocky/slippery trails and layers. Be prepared for one slippery, major water crossing; we strongly recommend bringing water shoes, hiking poles, and an additional pair of socks. Bring your lunch, at least half a gallon (64oz) of water, and sun protection. Please note there is no water or bathroom access (except at the Pythian Rd parking lot), cell phone coverage (except in some spots along the ridge), or emergency services during this outing. Heavy rains cancel. Parking fees (Hood Mtn RP: $8; Sugarloaf Ridge SP: $10) apply.
Ease of access: Goodspeed Trail is an out-and-back foot trail. The first mile includes two bridge crossings, built-in steps, and switchbacks. There is a wide creek crossing without a bridge, which should be passable by spring. The remainder of the trail is a rugged climb through serpentine chaparral, including built-in stone steps, steep switchbacks, and at least 60% sun exposure. After another mile, Goodspeed Trail ends at the State Park boundary. The trail then crosses into Hood Mountain Regional Park and becomes Nattkemper Trail. After a climb of approximately 1,100ft and 1.2 miles on exposed, technical terrain, the junction to Gunsight Rock is visible on the left hand side. The detour to the rock formation is 0.2 miles and fairly shady under a cover of manzanitas. Backtracking to the junction, Nattkemper meets Summit Trail, a steep, single-track trail. We will take a 0.1 mile detour to Hood Mountain and then return to Summit Trail again. After about 0.3 miles, we will cut across to Hood Mtn Trail (a fire road). We will only be on Hood Mountain trail for a couple hundred feet to the intersection with Upper Johnson Ridge Trail, a multi-use trail of 0.8 miles, which then splits into Pond Trail. Pond Trail is also a multi-use trail of approximately 0.5 miles. It connects with Lower Johnson Ridge Trail, which is approximately 1.5 miles to the parking lot on Pythian Rd.
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For more events at Sugarloaf, visit sugarloafpark.org/events
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Event Venue
2605 Adobe Canyon Rd, Kenwood, CA, United States, California 95452
Tickets
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