Franciscan Loop Trail & Pony Tracks Fire Road via Page Mill Trail is a 7.3-mile out-and-back in Los Trancos Open Space Preserve near Vista Verde, CA. It climbs 1,050 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade. It scores 57/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
0 mi1,404 – 2,234 ft · steepest grade: 20%7.7 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Pony Tracks Fire Road 37.35041, -122.17531
Nearest town Vista Verde, CA
Directions
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Franciscan Loop Trail & Pony Tracks Fire Road via Page Mill Trail
7.3 mi · ▲ 1,050 ft · 2 hr 57 min
Elevation 1,406–2,234 ft
Out & Back · Los Trancos Open Space Preserve
Trailhead: Pony Tracks Fire Road · 37.35041, -122.17531
Weather Aug 4: Clear, high 85°F / low 68° · precip 0% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:15 PM
- Start on Pony Tracks Fire Road, heading NW.
- 0.8 miSharp left onto Page Mill Trail, heading SE.
- 1.5 miSharp right onto Lost Creek Loop Trail, heading SE.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Franciscan Loop Trail, heading SE.
- 0.9 miReach Pony Tracks Fire Road, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.9 miContinue straight onto Lost Creek Loop Trail, heading W.
- 0.6 miSharp left onto Page Mill Trail, heading NW.
- 1.5 miSharp right onto Pony Tracks Fire Road, heading E.
- 0.7 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
21% dirt79% unspecified
Weather
ClearTemperature 85°F68°
Precip0%Wind3 mphUV8Humidity23%
Hourly temperature
85°65°
Sunrise 6:16 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:15 PM
Wed
82°55°
Thu
91°52°
Fri
96°58°
Sat
92°55°
Sun
83°48°
Mon
79°48°
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.8 mi in (~57 min). Leave by 6:57 PM for the 8:15 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Pony Tracks Fire Road Trailhead
- Lost Creek Loop Trail & Pony Tracks Fire Road via Page Mill Trail 5.7 mi · ▲ 800 ft
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