Crystal Cove Singletrack Sampler

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

This is the perfect 10-mile loop to knock out in just a couple hours. This singletrack loop will have you begging for a second lap and includes technical steeps mixed in with flat and flowy sections. The beauty of this particular Featured Ride is it will guide you through the epic mountain bike territory of Crystal Cove State Park on some of the best singletrack in the area.

There is loads of street parking around Coastal Peak Park. You'll enter this world of singletrack by fire road (and there is a lot of fire road in the area).

After a brief fire road bomb, climb, and bomb again, you'll enter Lizard Trail. It's a thrill of a descent followed by fast and flowy, sometimes bumpy, flat sections. You'll be interrupted by a giant boulder you have to climb around with bike in hand. As you exit Lizard Trail, you'll hop on more fire road for a grueling climb out of the canyon and back up to the top of Fenceline.

Stop and take a picture — this is one of the most scenic areas of the ride with expansive views of Crystal Cove State Park and, on a clear day, the Pacific Ocean. Fenceline is a roller coaster of small ups and downs with long stretches of flat. Go for speed! And when you are done, you'll hang a left on a deceptively tame fire road that quickly turns into one of the fastest sections of doubletrack I've seen in the OC.

Keep your speed up and you're adrenaline will be pumping as you send it over some steep doubletrack/fire road on your way to the most challenging portion of the ride: Rattlesnake Trail. After some challenging punchy climbs on singletrack you'll find yourself perched atop a steep menacing rocky descent with enough technical chops to require careful line selection. For added fun, avoid the dirt trail on the left and work your way through straight rock garden.

Once you arrive at the bottom you'll once again be on fire road. You'll first bomb down a steep washboard to the bottom about sea level before heading right back up on the next ridge over. You'll climb a grueling climb with a couple quick descents before reaching Ticketron trail entrance, which has a sign labeled "No Name Ridge" at the trailhead.

No Name Ridge is a fairly tame singletrack with lots of switchbacks. Go for speed and enjoy the flow. Once at the bottom, you'll begin your final ascent back to your car on fire road.

Once back at your car, you'll do your best to wipe the grin off your face and move on with your day. You might even text some friends that won't get it... unless, of course, they've ridden the Crystal Cove Singletrack Sampler, too.