Franco Ridge Ridge Trail & Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail
2.9 mi · ▲ 474 ft · 1 hr 12 min
Franco Ridge Ridge Trail & Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail is a 2.9-mile out-and-back in Shell Ridge Open Space near Walnut Heights, CA. It climbs 474 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 55/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Franco Ridge Ridge Trail & Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail
2.9 mi · ▲ 474 ft · 1 hr 12 min
Elevation 341–695 ft
Out & Back · Shell Ridge Open Space
Trailhead: 37.88769, -122.01444
Weather Aug 3: Mostly clear, high 101°F / low 63° · precip 0% · wind 2 mph · sunrise 6:14 AM · sunset 8:16 PM
Bikes allowed on the whole route · Horses allowed on the whole route
- Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
- 200 ftTurn right onto Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail, heading SW.
- 1.1 miBear right onto Franco Ridge Loop Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Franco Ridge Ridge Trail, heading S.
- 0.4 miReach Franco Ridge Ridge Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Franco Ridge Loop Trail, heading N.
- 100 ftBear left onto Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail, heading NE.
- 1.1 miTurn left, heading N.
- 100 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.4 mi in (~45 min). Leave by 7:12 PM for the 8:16 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Bikes allowed on the whole route
- Horses allowed on the whole route
Other ways to reach this destination
- 2.1 mi · loop · via Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail
- 2.9 mi · out & back · via Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail
- 2.5 mi · out & back · via Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail
- 2.3 mi · out & back · via Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail
- 4 mi · out & back · via Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail
- 6 mi · out & back · via Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail
More from this trailhead
- Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail & Twin Ponds Loop Trail Loop 2.1 mi · ▲ 363 ft
- Franco Ridge Loop Trail 2.3 mi · ▲ 410 ft
- Foothills Trail via Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail 2.5 mi · ▲ 451 ft
- Bob Pond–Twin Ponds, 6 sights 2.6 mi · ▲ 447 ft
- Twin Ponds–TwinPonds, 5 sights 2.7 mi · ▲ 458 ft
- Sulphur Creek Pond & Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail via Briones to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail 3.4 mi · ▲ 848 ft
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