El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve

The Pipeline/914/Star Hill Loop

OTE Ratings: O9/T9/E6
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours???

Description

Pipeline Trail is one of the wildest, most primal trails in the whole of ECdM. Unfortunately most of this trail will soon be closed (probably by spring 1997), so ride it while you still can. (For a short period of time after the closure, we may still be able to access the lower section of Pipeline via the trail down from gate CM07 on Star Hill Road. Eventually, however, all of Pipeline will be closed.)

Directions to the start

Start from the CM01 gate (on Skyline Boulevard, just north of the "Skeggs Point" vista point). See the main ECdM page for directions to Skeggs Point.

The ride

From gate CM01, take the trail that branches sharply to the right after about 200 yards. Follow this trail for about 2.5 miles as it runs alongside the creek. (Whenever you're faced with a decision point, choose the branch that will keep you closest to the creek.)

Eventually you won't be able to follow the creek any more. At this point, continue up the hill to the right. (This is a steep 'walker' at first, but then levels out to become a nice riding trail.) This is "914" trail, so named because of the carcass of a Porsche 914 that lies on the trail about 2/3 of the way up. (You can ride through this!)

At the top of "914" you'll exit ECdM at gate CM08. At this point, turn right to take Star Hill Road and Swett Road (both paved) back to Skyline Boulevard. (Shift into your granny gear when you reach Swett Road. The first 200 yards or so are very steep, but you're rewarded shortly thereafter with a spectacular view of Half Moon Bay off to the left.)

When you reach Skyline Boulevard, turn right to return to Skeggs Point.

trail map

elevation profile

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