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An awesome ride through the enchanted forest.


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Map Key

2.1

Miles

3.4

KM

Singletrack

608' 185 m

High

373' 114 m

Low

223' 68 m

Up

238' 73 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

22%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Allowed

Description

A favorite loop at Wilder Ranch State Park - so good that it's worth doing a few laps on it. From Hwy 1, you can access this loop from Baldwin Loop or Wilder Ranch Loop depending on where you parked.

There are some technical sections through rocks and roots, but it's totally doable, even on a hardtail.

The trail is best known for the steep descent that starts at the intersection with Baldwin Loop. From a sunny meadow, the trail immediately plunges into deep shade under the Redwoods. Before your eyes fully adjust, the trail narrows, zig zags and drops through a short rocky and rooty section, then descends quickly before going over a set of three sharp rooty drops and dropping to the left over more roots. Be ready for the sharp left turn at the bottom, which begins a short roller coaster section terminating in a 12" or so drop. An immediate and sharp right turn starts a fast and flowy segment with short drops and some shallow berms that take you to the canyon floor and a mixed woodland full of dappled light. This is the enchanted part. The climb out is gentle, winding, and beautiful.

Contacts

Shared By:

Johnny Yip

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 55 votes

#121

Overall
  4.7 from 55 votes
5 Star
76%
4 Star
22%
3 Star
2%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#10

in California

#121

Overall
66 Views Last Month
14,739 Since Apr 11, 2013
Difficult Difficult

0%
2%
9%
2%
86%
0%

Photos

Pick your line down the Redwood Tree roots.
Jul 22, 2022 near Santa Cruz, CA
One of two bridges on the North trail (riding East).
Nov 2, 2019 near Santa Cruz, CA
Super lush ground cover on the climb out of Enchanted - late spring.
Jul 15, 2019 near Santa Cruz, CA
after most of the root drops and before the rocks
Nov 17, 2017 near Santa Cruz, CA
Looking uphill at the "root staircase" on the Southwest entry descent into Enchanted Loop.  The drops get MUCH larger on the next switchback!
Nov 2, 2019 near Santa Cruz, CA
Enchanted Loop junction with close-up of trail work sign.
Feb 3, 2016 near Santa Cruz, CA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 8 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 13, 2022
Tri Geminy
Oct 3, 2021
Noah Ellman
Sep 18, 2020
Diev Hart
I had to session it a few time and found a fast line...lets go play ...
Aug 6, 2020
Chris Sorensen
Had to do it 3 times and fun session some of the difficult parts! 6.3mi
Jun 27, 2020
Eli Murrey
Sep 7, 2019
Luke Stone
Jul 27, 2019
Carlos Bolivar
Jun 23, 2019
Joe Souza
Dry but not too dusty.
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