This region is characterized by rolling hills covered with brush except for the northern corner where oak woodland prevails. There are some small vernal pools. Several old roads and unofficial trails enter from the Parker Flats area to the west. Parking and toilet facilities are available as well as a phone for emergency use Monday - Friday during normal work hours.
3-Views of this sector: From the North, South, East, West
Eucalyptus Rd: Paved road running east to west and connecting the BLM Offices with the majority of Fort Ord Public Lands. The MOUT Site is the Military Operations in Urban Terrain Site managed by the FBI. Don't get curious and go over the fence, it isn't worth it. This road links the BLM Project Office with the rest of the Public Lands. Its greatest bicycle use comes from folks riding road bikes who are doing loops to East Garrison or along Barloy Canyon and the perimeter roads which run behind Laguna Seca and down to Highway 218. It is also used by runners coming from the Presidio Of Monterey Annex Military Housing. Road bicycles travel greater than 30 mph on descent.
Length 2.45 miles Green Square Bi-directional use: Road Bicycle>Mountain Bicycle>Foot>Horse
Watkins Gate Road: It begins near the BLM Office as a rolling gravel road, transitions to pavement at Hennekin's Ranch Rd and circles the northern perimeter of the Fort Ord Public lands before it ends on an intersection with Barloy Canyon Rd. (A short segment of Watkins Gate Rd. actually descends below Barloy Canyon Rd and ends at the fence marking the perimeter of Fort Ord. There was once a gate onto Reservation Rd at this point but it is now closed and overgrown.) It is best to think of Watkins Gate Rd as two different roads. The section which is gravel receives sparse use: Bicycle>Horse>Foot. The paved section us used by Road bicycles>Mountain bicycles>Foot>Horse. "Lost" civilian automobiles frequent this road and it is used as access to the DCA Flying Club and the Police Academy at East Garrison. Signs are needed at Gigling Rd and Hennekin's Ranch Rd intersections. The gravel section provides access to the trail system described in this sector and has an interesting old implement sitting next to it. If you know what it is, let me know.
Length 3.53 miles Green Square For use see above.
Trail 21: Sand road running northeast across maritime chaparral acreage that was burned in approximately 1992. It is crisscrossed by a number of old military roads and trails which are now fenced off. The area to the south east is still Off Limits due to UXO removal activities. Soft sand in this area capture the tracks of snakes and cyclists. The primary use of this trail is as a connector from the BLM Project Office to Trail 68 and the Hennekin's Ranch Area. Bicycle speeds are 10 mph.
Length 0.62 miles Green Square Multiuse road. Bi-directional use: Bicycle>Horse>Foot
Trail 65: Single track near two small vernal pools. The sand becomes very soft in sections. Bicycle speeds are 6 to 8 mph.
Length 0.38 miles Blue Circle Multiuse road. Bi-directional use: Bicycle>Horse>Foot
Trail 66: Sand road traversing some rolling country which drops off toward Parker Flats. The sand becomes very soft in sections. Bicycle speeds are 6 to 8 mph.
Length 0.31 miles Blue Circle Multiuse road. Bi-directional use: Bicycle>Horse>Foot
Trail 67 - "Sand Blaster": Sand road and single track rising from Watkins Gate Road toward the central plateau north of Elliott Hill. The view from the intersection of 67 and 68 provides a panorama of Monterey Bay. Trail tread is firmer than 65 or 66. Most of the travel on 67 is to connect 21 to 68. Some ruts to contend with down slope from Trail 68. Bicycle speeds average 15 descending and 6 ascending.
Length 0.69 miles Blue Circle Multiuse road. Bi-directional use: Bicycle>Horse>Foot
Trail 68: Gentle single track trail which passes through thick brush encroaching on trail. Trail tread is firmer than 65, 66 or 67. This trail continues the connection from 61 and 21 to the Hennekin's Ranch Rd. Bicycle speeds average 15 mph.
Length 0.29 miles Green Square Multiuse trail. Bi-directional: Bicycle>Horse>Foot
Trail 69: Single track which parallels Watkins Gate Rd to the southeast. A picnic bench is available just upslope from Hennekin's Ranch Rd. Bicycle speeds average 15 mph. Soft sandy sections in the 'dry season."
Length 1.17 miles Blue Circle Multiuse trail. Bi-directional: Bicycle>Horse>Foot
Trail 70: Narrow, straight single track which parallels Watkins Gate Rd to the northeast. A few pockets of soft sand in the low spots make it more fun for horses than for bicycles. Bicycle descent speeds are 15 mph and ascent is around 10 mph.
Length 0.50 miles Blue Circle Multiuse trail. Bi-directional: Bicycle>Horse>Foot
© Nick Mackenzie 2001-2002
Updated 10/30/06 12:16:18
