Shell Ridge Open Space

Franco Ridge Loop Trail & Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail

4 mi · ▲ 527 ft · 1 hr 36 min

Franco Ridge Loop Trail & Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail is a 4-mile out-and-back in Shell Ridge Open Space near Walnut Heights, CA. It climbs 527 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade. It scores 31/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi269 – 633 ft · steepest grade: 20%4.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail 37.87522, -122.03576
Nearest town Walnut Heights, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Franco Ridge Loop Trail & Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail

4 mi · ▲ 527 ft · 1 hr 36 min

Elevation 268–634 ft

Out & Back · Shell Ridge Open Space

Trailhead: Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail · 37.87522, -122.03576

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:55 AM · sunset 7:10 PM

  1. Start on Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail, heading E.
  2. 1.5 miTurn right onto Franco Ridge Loop Trail, heading E.
  3. 0.5 miReach Franco Ridge Loop Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  4. 0.5 miTurn left onto Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail, heading SW.
  5. 1.4 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

48% dirt30% paved22% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:55 AMSunset 7:10 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~47 min). Leave by 6:03 PM for the 7:10 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail Trailhead