Methuselah Trail

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Not Allowed

The Methuselah Trail, starts from the CM02 gate parking area, just across Skyline Blvd from the ancient redwood that gives this trail its name. The trail is a former logging road that is cut through sandstone embankments. In some places it undercuts the trees above, leaving roots exposed overhead. After a short downhill section, Methuselah forms a junction with Timberview Trail at a place often carpeted (in the winter!) with wintering ladybugs.

Climb a moderate grade to the highpoint of this trail where it crosses the Manzanita Trail. Continue riding straight west on Methuselah for a long downhill through second growth redwoods and a sunny, clear area with vistas of neighboring canyons and ridges. Approaching the El Corte de Madera Creek you encounter other trails branching off and a significantly steeper section of narrow singletrack. The singletrack leads to a bridge at the canyon bottom. There used to be a wet creek crossing here, but that has been closed to mitigate siltation in this salmonid stream.

Start the mostly mellow singletrack climb from the creek in a ferny wonderland. A series of significant (12-16") water bars has been added to the trail between the creek crossing and North Leaf. Popping off these, combined with some tight turns, makes for a surprisingly fun descent when riding this section downhill. The trail ends with the CM08 gate at Star Hill Road.

If traveled in the opposite (west to east) direction, the Methuselah Trail is one of the more gentle ways to climb up out of the canyon and thereby across the preserve.