Sycamore Valley Open Space Regional Preserve

Sand Hill Trail & Shady Slope Trail via Short Ridge Trail

2.9 mi · ▲ 640 ft · 1 hr 17 min

Sand Hill Trail & Shady Slope Trail via Short Ridge Trail is a 2.9-mile out-and-back in Sycamore Valley Open Space Regional Preserve near Blackhawk, CA. It climbs 640 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 39/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi630 – 1,011 ft · steepest grade: 22%3.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Sand Hill Trail 37.81724, -121.93317
Nearest town Blackhawk, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Sand Hill Trail & Shady Slope Trail via Short Ridge Trail

2.9 mi · ▲ 640 ft · 1 hr 17 min

Elevation 632–1,011 ft

Out & Back · Sycamore Valley Open Space Regional Preserve

Trailhead: Sand Hill Trail · 37.81724, -121.93317

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:14 AM · sunset 8:15 PM

Bikes allowed on the whole route · Horses allowed on the whole route

  1. Start on Sand Hill Trail, heading SE.
  2. 0.5 miTurn right onto Short Ridge Trail, heading NW.
  3. 0.5 miTurn left onto Shady Slope Trail, heading SW.
  4. 0.5 miReach Sand Hill Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  5. 0.5 miTurn right onto Short Ridge Trail, heading E.
  6. 0.5 miTurn left onto Sand Hill Trail, heading E.
  7. 0.5 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

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 6:14 AMSunset 8:15 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.6 mi in (~23 min). Leave by 7:32 PM for the 8:15 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Bikes allowed on the whole route
  • Horses allowed on the whole route

Other ways to reach this destination