Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve (Woodside)

This map is courtesy of John Blenio. You can also click on a point in this map to see a high resolution topographical map for that area. (Topographical maps created with TOPO!^TM ©Wildflower Productions)

OTE Ratings: O7/T7/E8
Distance: 10 to 25 miles
Time: 2 to 5 hours
Climb: 2560 feet
USGS 7.5' topo: Woodside, CA

Description

Wonderful switchbacking singletrack descent through open, chaparral- covered hillsides; the descent is steep enough that you see the tops of your companions' helmets down below. At the bottom is a redwood-forested gulch. Optionally, a steep climb towards Tunitas road and a lightly-traveled road connection over to El Corte de Madera OSP. During the rainy season, they usually close Purisima's only singletrack trail. Rumors abound that they (the MROSD) are about to close that trail permanently :-(.

Directions to the start

(N 37° 27.0', W 122° 20.3')
Skyline (highway 35) west of Woodside ... 92 to 35 and then south for 3 or 4 miles, or take 84 to 35 and go northwest for 4 miles (or maybe 84 to King's Mountain Road to 35, then turn right, and go 3 miles or so).

The ride

Purisima can be done as a medium-length ride, my favorite way that stays in this OSP is to go down Whittemore Gulch, and then up the main fire road (not Harkins' Gulch F.R.); you can make an optional loop up Borden Hatch Mill and down Grabtown Gulch Trail.

My favorite ride here, however, is this one: Go down Whittemore Gulch, across the bridge, left to start up the main fire road. Turn right onto Borden Hatch Mill Trail, climb (big climb) to the top, then turn right and go out to Tunitas Creek road (paved). Turn left onto it, climb a mild mile on this road, take the sharp right turn onto Star Hill Road, climb a bit more, to Swett Road, then descend, fast, to gate CM08, which is an entrance into El Corte de Madera OSP.

Ross Finlayson notes: The Whittemore Gulch trail is closed to bikes during each wet season. For the current status of this (& other MROSD trails), see the MROSD's trail conditions page.

For more information

The MROSD's official page for this area
Erik Goetze's park map, with several VR panoramas
Several photos of the Whittemore Gulch Trail (from "The Ogre's Guide")
Scott Kendall's ride report

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