This closest access point to this region is from Laguna Seca Regional Park west gate onto Skyline Rd. The soils are firm sand with a few exceptions noted below. This area is even less used than the Crescent Bluff Area and most of that use is concentrated on the paved roads and Trail 11. Lookout Ridge provides a very good view of the central part of the eastern half of Fort Ord Public Lands. Trail 11, 49 and 71 are good for horses but receive little use by them.
East Garrison Gate to Barloy Canyon Road via Chapel Hill Rd and Watkins Gate Rd: Paved access road to the northern end of Fort Ord Public Lands. Bicycles will travel this route at 15 mph ascending and 30 mph descending
Length 0.51 miles Green Square Multiuse road. Bi-directional use: Road Bicycle>Mountain Bicycle> Foot>Horse
Barloy Canyon Rd: Paved road ascending from East Garrison area to descend into Barloy Canyon where it then rises up to Laguna Seca. Bicycles will descend from Laguna Seca and from the crest with trail 22 at speeds in excess of 40 mph and ascend at speeds of 10 mph.
Length 6.04 miles Green Square Multiuse road. Bi-directional use: Road Bicycle>Mountain Bicycle> Foot>Horse
Jacks Road: (See sector 8) Multiuse road. Bi-directional use: Road Bicycle>Mountain Bicycle> Foot>Horse
Pilarcitos Canyon Rd - "The Grind": Gravel road ascending length of Pilarcitos Canyon from the edge of the Merrill Property to Skyline Rd. at the edge of Laguna Seca. The first segment listed is also know as Trail 07 and is included here for completeness. Used as a return to Laguna Seca for riders entering from there as well as folks entering from the Toro Creek area and needing to return to the Skyline Road Ridge line. Bicycles will descend at speeds greater then 30 mph and ascend at around 10 mph.
Length 3.81 miles Green Square Multiuse road. Bi-directional use: Bicycle> Horse>Foot
Skyline Rd: (See Sector 7) Blue Circle Multiuse road. Bi-directional use: Bicycle>Foot>Horse
Trail 07: This extension of Pilarcitos Canyon Rd has two very soft sandy stretches but is otherwise a very gentle grade leading to the back of the Merrill Property. Note that the soft stretches are below areas heavily eroded during the Army use period. Bicycle speeds average 12 mph due to soft conditions of trail tread.
Length 0.89 miles Green Square Multiuse road. Bi-directional use: Bicycle> Horse>Foot
Trail 11: Gravel road along a ridge line from Jacks Road, passes through Laguna Seca's Lookout Ridge parking lot to end on Barloy Canyon Rd. There is an old feed trough west of the trail. The trail climbs, traverses then descends two small mesas which I am inclined to call, "the two brothers" to complement "the three sisters" on Trail 10. Nice view of the ridge.
Length 2.99 miles Blue Circle Multiuse road. Bi-directional use: Bicycle> Horse>Foot
Trail 13: Steep gully at base of hill. As you climb, stay to the right or south to have the best trail tread to follow. Bicycles ascend slowly due to the slope and descend slowly due to the ruts but may approach speeds in excess of 15 mph in sections. Note example of 'tunneling' of soil at intersection with Trail 11. This process is responsible for erosion and slope failure on FOPL. This trail merits a Black Diamond rating because of its steepness and the gullies but can be negotiated safely by most cyclists and all hikers and equestrians.
Length 0.27 miles Black Diamond Multiuse trail. Bi-directional use: Bicycle>Foot>Horse
Trail 49: The segment from Pilarcitos Canyon to Trail 11 is a challenging climb for cyclists but attainable by strong intermediate riders. The segment from Trail 11 to Picnic Canyon Rd is comprised of very soft sand in summer so expect to walk the top three tents of a mile on ascent and descent. Except for the soft sand this trail is not very technical. Bicycles ascend and descend slowly due to the slope and descend slowly due to the ruts on south side and soft sand on north side but may approach speeds in excess of 15 mph in sections on descent. Nice view of Pilarcitos Canyon from 49's crest.
Length 1.32 miles Blue Circle Multiuse trail. Bi-directional use: Bicycle>Horse>Foot
Trail 50: This trail leaves Eucalyptus Rd, passes the old oil pipeline connecting Coalinga Oilfields with Monterey and then passes along a small vernal pool and then ascends the bottom of Pilarcitos Canyon. It traverses an oak tree forest where there is an abundance of poison oak before emerging on the side hill above Pilarcitos Creek. After intersecting with Trail 51, go down to the toe of the hill and turn left or south to pickup the trail as it continues to rise up through Pilarcitos Canyon. Note that at the intersection with 51 you can see a short trail which connects with Barloy Canyon Rd. When you reach Trail 13 you can see a short trail which connects to a small parking lot along Barloy Canyon Rd. Bi-directional but suitable only for bicycles not for horses because of the low overhead clearance. Hopefully the lower segment can be rerouted to avoid the eroded segment. Though a fairly flat trail, conditions of sand and narrow clearance with vegetation limit speeds to 15 mph.
Length 1.19 miles Blue Circle Multiuse trail. Bi-directional use: Bicycle>Foot
Trail 51: This trail ascends next to a gully to emerge onto a moderate slope that is easily ridden. It then passes through a 'highland meadow' before turning West to join onto Trail 11 on the spine of Look Out Ridge. Bi-directional, suitable for bicycles and horses. Hopefully the lower segment can be rerouted to avoid the eroded segment. Bicycles ascend slowly due to the slope and descend slowly due to the ruts but may approach speeds in excess of 15 mph in sections. This trail merits a Black Diamond rating because of its steepness and the gullies but can be negotiated safely by most cyclists and all hikers and equestrians.
Length 0.38 miles Black Diamond Multiuse trail. Bi-directional use: Bicycle>Foot>Horse
Trial 71: This trail connects Trail 49 with Jacks Rd and Crescent Bluff Rd by running along the south side of Mud Hen Lake. The Dam connector to Jacks Rd is 0.08 miles long. Equestrians wishing to stay off pavement as they connect a ride from the Crescent Bluff Area and the Lookout Ridge Area. Though a fairly flat trail, conditions of sand and narrow clearance with vegetation limit speeds to 15 mph.
Length 0.34 miles Green Square Multiuse trail. Bi-directional use: Bicycle>Horse>Foot
© Nick Mackenzie 2001-2002
Updated 10/30/06 12:16:18
