Sycamore Valley Open Space Regional Preserve

Short Ridge Trail

3.5 mi · ▲ 646 ft · 1 hr 29 min

Short Ridge Trail is a 3.5-mile out-and-back in Sycamore Valley Open Space Regional Preserve near Blackhawk, CA. It climbs 646 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 34/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi597 – 965 ft · steepest grade: 21%3.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: connector 37.81116, -121.92976
Nearest town Blackhawk, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Short Ridge Trail

3.5 mi · ▲ 646 ft · 1 hr 29 min

Elevation 598–963 ft

Out & Back · Sycamore Valley Open Space Regional Preserve

Trailhead: connector · 37.81116, -121.92976

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

Bikes allowed on the whole route · Horses allowed on the whole route · Transit-accessible: Camino Tassajara & Wood Ranch Drive stop 478 m from the trailhead

  1. Start on Tatcan Trail, heading SW.
  2. 0.5 miTurn left onto Sand Hill Trail, heading W.
  3. 0.3 miSharp left onto Short Ridge Trail, heading SE.
  4. 1.1 miReach Short Ridge Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  5. 1 miSharp right onto Sand Hill Trail, heading NE.
  6. 0.3 miTurn right onto Tatcan Trail, heading SE.
  7. 0.4 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 1.2 mi in (~40 min). Leave by 7:15 PM for the 8:15 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Bikes allowed on the whole route
  • Horses allowed on the whole route
  • Transit-accessible: Camino Tassajara & Wood Ranch Drive stop 478 m from the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from connector Trailhead