This ride includes most, if not all, of the singletrack trails available in Lake Chabot and adjacent Anthony Chabot Regional Parks. Although less than three miles total of narrow-track on the
Upper Redtail Trail and
Towhee Trail, the climbs on the
Brandon Trail are reasonably graded and well-shaded leading to nice ridgetop views. An easy cruise around the shore of Lake Chabot on the
Honker Bay Trail completes the ride.
The ride starts from the free parking lot near the park police and fire headquarters but passes by several other trailheads.
The
Ten Hills Trail is a roller-coaster ride on a wide, smooth service road along the boundary next to neighborhoods. The hills are small but a few are steep, so keep your momentum going on this warm-up section.
At the end, it takes a sharp left, turning to the north, to start the
Brandon Trail as it descends to the Proctor Staging area. This is a relatively narrow, fun section of trail all the way to the golf course. When you reach the pond you may notice or hear plopping golf balls - this is the practice range. The golf course has restrooms and refreshments. Continue to the north end of the parking lot to rejoin the
Brandon Trail.
This section is a steady climb on a wide fire road for 2.2 miles at about a 6.6% grade. It's well shaded and doesn't have the steep sections like those on
Live Oak Trail. The "top" is at the junction with the
Towhee Trail, where you'll find a rest bench and ridgetop views. Stay on Brandon a short distance to the Marciel Road trailhead and junction with the
Upper Redtail Trail.
This upper section is singletrack as it runs parallel to Marciel Road to the Marciel Gate trailhead. Past this,
Lower Redtail Trail is a service road as it drops steeply down a canyon to the junction with
Grass Valley Trail. Turning left and heading south,
Brandon Trail is rejoined near the stone bridge. Head up Brandon as it winds its way back to the Marciel Rd trailhead under lots of shade on gentle grades.
Stay on Brandon to the now familiar junction with the
Towhee Trail which leads down to the campgrounds on a wide, smooth fire road. Once in the campground, it becomes a narrow, multi-use trail so heads-up for hikers and horses.
Continue to the junction with the
Honker Bay Trail, a wide road that drops steeply to the Lake Chabot shoreline winding around Honker Bay to the bridge junction of
Live Oak Trail and
Cameron Loop Trail. Follow
Cameron Loop Trail to the right to return to
Ten Hills Trail and the start of ride.
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