Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve

Elbow Tree–Bald Knob Trail, 4 sights

6.9 mi · ▲ 1,514 ft · 3 hr 3 min

Elbow Tree–Bald Knob Trail, 4 sights is a 6.9-mile out-and-back in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve near Grabtown, CA. The route reaches Elbow Tree. It climbs 1,514 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade. It scores 73/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi925 – 1,916 ft · steepest grade: 19%7.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Grabtown Gulch Trail 37.42345, -122.33881
Nearest town Grabtown, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Elbow Tree–Bald Knob Trail, 4 sights

6.9 mi · ▲ 1,514 ft · 3 hr 3 min

Elevation 926–1,917 ft

Out & Back · Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve

Trailhead: Grabtown Gulch Trail · 37.42345, -122.33881

Weather Aug 4: Clear, high 76°F / low 61° · precip 1% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 6:17 AM · sunset 8:16 PM

No dogs on part of this route

  1. Start on Grabtown Gulch Trail, heading NW.
  2. 0.2 miSharp left onto Borden Hatch Mill Trail, heading SE.
  3. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Bald Knob Trail, heading W.
  4. 2.2 miPass Elbow Tree.
  5. 100 ftContinue straight onto Irish Ridge Trail, heading SW.
  6. 0.8 miReach Elbow Tree, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 3.1 miContinue straight onto Borden Hatch Mill Trail, heading E.
  8. 0.2 miSharp right onto Grabtown Gulch Trail, heading NW.
  9. 0.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

42% dirt58% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 76°F61°
Precip1%Wind5 mphUV8Humidity29%
Hourly temperature
80°60°
Sunrise 6:17 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:16 PM
Wed 73°54°
Thu 75°51°
Fri 81°51°
Sat 69°49°
Sun 64°48°
Mon 65°48°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.6 mi in (~48 min). Leave by 7:08 PM for the 8:16 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • No dogs on part of this route

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Grabtown Gulch Trail Trailhead