Gold Ridge Trail

The Gold Ridge Trail is a real treat, with wide-open views and little traffic. For a route that gets so few hikers, it’s remarkably well-maintained and well signed, so the trek out is more enjoyable than you might expect. It’s a hard hike with a solid elevation profile, so bring more water than you think you’ll need and avoid hiking this route in the heat of summer.

There are dispersed camping sites along this route you can use to make a multi-day trip out of this route.

From the trailhead, set out and immediately keep left onto Gold Ridge Trail #47. Go through the gate a mile and a half in. The steepest section of the trail occurs between 1.7mi and 2.8mi, but be prepared to still feel like you’re climbing outside of those points, too. You’ll hike through grasslands initially, then into a burn area from many years ago. Continue through a corridor of manzanita and chaparral.

The trail relaxes a bit near the top, where you can truly appreciate the beauty of your surroundings. From the turnaround point, you’ll retrace your steps to the trailhead.