Inspiration Trail–Laurel Canyon Road, 5 sights
8.6 mi · ▲ 1,353 ft · 3 hr 33 min
Inspiration Trail–Laurel Canyon Road, 5 sights is an 8.6-mile out-and-back in Pinole Valley Watershed near Cragmont, CA. It climbs 1,353 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade. It scores 63/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Inspiration Trail–Laurel Canyon Road, 5 sights
8.6 mi · ▲ 1,353 ft · 3 hr 33 min
Elevation 391–1,062 ft
Out & Back · Pinole Valley Watershed
Trailhead: Loop Road · 37.90819, -122.26201
Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:16 PM
Transit-accessible: Tilden Park Pony Rides stop 263 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Loop Road, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Pine Tree Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Laurel Canyon Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftBear left onto Loop Road, heading NE.
- 100 ftBear right onto Laurel Canyon Trail, heading N.
- 0.7 miTurn right onto Laurel Canyon Road, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Nimitz Way, heading E.
- 3.2 miReach Loop Road, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 3.2 miTurn left onto Laurel Canyon Road, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Laurel Canyon Trail, heading W.
- 0.7 miBear left onto Loop Road, heading S.
- 50 ftBear right onto Laurel Canyon Trail, heading NW.
- 100 ftTurn left onto Pine Tree Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Loop Road, heading NW.
- 0.2 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~47 min). Leave by 7:09 PM for the 8:16 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Tilden Park Pony Rides stop 263 m from the trailhead
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Loop Road Trailhead
- Jewel Lake Trail–Laurel Canyon Road, 5 sights 2.2 mi · ▲ 342 ft
- Rotary Peace Grove–Laurel Canyon Trail, 5 sights 2.4 mi · ▲ 524 ft
- Jewel Lake–Jewel Lake Trail Loop, 6 sights 3 mi · ▲ 654 ft
- Conlon Trail–Fire Trail No 3, 6 sights 6.6 mi · ▲ 1,107 ft
- Convict Viewpoint–Lake Anza, 10 sights 9.6 mi · ▲ 1,656 ft
- Ridge Viewpoint–Clark Boas Trail, 8 sights 11.1 mi · ▲ 2,430 ft
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