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A great short ride from Laguna Seca with fantastic views and a good bit of climbing.


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Map Key

4.8

Miles

7.7

KM

90%

Singletrack

952' 290 m

High

500' 152 m

Low

733' 223 m

Up

732' 223 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Fort Ord National Monument trails are closed from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

Overview

Great views, fast fun singletrack and a hard climb out make this a fun fairly challenging ride for a short ~5 mile loop. On a hot day the climb out can be pretty rough.

Need to Know

There is a day use fee ($8 cash) for parking at Laguna Seca or you can buy an annual pass.

Park in the dirt lot across from the bathrooms on the north side of South Perimeter Rd as you drive toward the Grand Prix campground.

In the spring there may be sheep (and sheep dogs).

Description

From the dirt parking lot ride up the pavement into the Grand Prix Campground. Follow the road up and go right at the first T. At the second T, turn left and go to the end of the campground. You'll see a gate and a BLM Public Lands sign. Drop into the Trail 47 here (it is a bit steep and loose).

As you hit the trail, go right and start the ride down. As you head down you'll go around one big turn/switchback and then be heading fairly straight down a ridge. You can get a lot of speed here and there's pretty good visibility.

Watch for a carsonite post (Trail 47). Keep going straight and you'll be on Trail 48 for a short distance until the trail starts to climb and Trail 47 comes back in from the right (a nice little loop if you want some extra riding and climbing). Crest the hill and wind around one hill climb to another and then finally start the descent all the way to the bottom of Couch Canyon.

When you cross the dry creek you'll be at the bottom. The initial climb is a bit steep but then things even out and you even get a little downhill as you make your way up out of the Canyon. After climbing awhile you'll hit "Hurl Hill" named for the feeling you have at the top (some will push their bike here).

After "Hurl Hill you'll hit Guidotti Rd (you'll see a bench to your right for a break and a nice view) turn left and then you'll hit SkyLine Rd. Turn left again and when you see the trail go left from the road climb a bit more (you are on Trail 47 again). At the top of the hill you'll go through some trees and look for Trail 47 to split off to the left (if you go straight you'll hit the racetrack at the top of the corkscrew). Head down Trail 47 for a fun flowy downhill section. After a bit you'll do a little more climbing through a wooded area and then see the trail back up to the campground. Ride back to your car or head out for another lap.

History & Background

Trail 47 that makes up most of this ride has been used for various races including the Sea Otter Classic, 24 hours of adrenalin and the NorCal high school league races.

Contacts

Shared By:

Darius Rike

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 7 votes

#3502

Overall
  3.6 from 7 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
71%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
14%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#408

in California

#3,502

Overall
36 Views Last Month
5,024 Since Apr 29, 2013
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Photos

on the way to couch canyon.
May 25, 2013 near Carmel…, CA
sweet singletrack on the way to couch canyon
May 25, 2013 near Carmel…, CA
Rolling hills, sheep and wildflowers galore
Apr 24, 2013 near Del Rey…, CA
Best not to ride into the many, many sheep
Apr 24, 2013 near Del Rey…, CA
Hurl Hill. This photo makes it look easy, it's not.
Apr 24, 2013 near Del Rey…, CA

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 4, 2020
David Joyce
Jan 4, 2020
Masoud Masoudy
May 19, 2018
Ivan Piñon
May 6, 2018
Dimitri P
Time estimated. Lot of bushes/thorns/ticks. Nice views. 6.4mi
Apr 21, 2018
Kari Browning
Apr 20, 2018
Chris M
Rode 3 loops on 3 separate demo bikes. 15mi
Dec 2, 2017
Nathan Ziemba
Oct 27, 2017
Adam V
Fun non technical trail with good downhills and a couple tough climbs.
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