Mount Madonna County Park

Giant Twins–Blackhawk Trail, 7 sights

7.8 mi · ▲ 1,867 ft · 3 hr 32 min

Giant Twins–Blackhawk Trail, 7 sights is a 7.8-mile out-and-back in Mount Madonna County Park near Interlaken, CA. The route reaches Giant Twins. It climbs 1,867 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade. It scores 51/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi472 – 1,772 ft · steepest grade: 20%8.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 37.01013, -121.71466
Nearest town Interlaken, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Giant Twins–Blackhawk Trail, 7 sights

7.8 mi · ▲ 1,867 ft · 3 hr 32 min

Elevation 471–1,772 ft

Out & Back · Mount Madonna County Park

Trailhead: 37.01013, -121.71466

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:15 AM · sunset 8:12 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 350 ftTurn right, heading S.
  3. 250 ftTurn left onto Bayview Trail, heading E.
  4. 0.4 miTurn left onto Sprig Trail, heading E.
  5. 0.2 miTurn left onto Blackhawk Trail, heading E.
  6. 50 ftTurn right onto Sprig Trail, heading E.
  7. 0.6 miTurn right onto Giant Twins Trail, heading SE.
  8. 0.6 miReach Giant Twins, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 0.6 miBear right onto Sprig Trail, heading NW.
  10. 2.5 miContinue straight onto Ridge Trail, heading S.
  11. 1.1 miTurn right onto Blackhawk Trail, heading S.
  12. 0.8 miBear right, heading W.
  13. 450 ftBear right onto Rock Springs Trail, heading W.
  14. 0.2 miTurn left onto Redwood Trail, heading NE.
  15. 0.6 miContinue straight onto Bayview Trail, heading N.
  16. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  17. 250 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  18. 300 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

37% dirt63% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:15 AMSunset 8:12 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.9 mi in (~49 min). Leave by 7:03 PM for the 8:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

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