Okay, so technically I climbed into a boulder near Castle Rock.

The Saratoga Gap Trail in Castle Rock State Park is my new favorite hike. (Of course I am partial to anything with my name in it.)  I look forward to returning when it’s a bit warmer.

Remember, when frolicking in the wilderness, be careful where you lunch.

Stage 1: BTC Canada Time Trial – THIS SATURDAY, May 26

As always, everybody is welcome – TT bikes, fixies, non-aero Merckxs, World Bicycle Relief bikes, Olympians, World Champions, recumbents of all styles, tandems, unicycles, flying sausages, and anything non-motorized with at least one wheel – dead or alive!

Of course, we prefer our participants and volunteers alive, but I suppose if worse comes to worst, we could prop up a few mummies with a flag at the Edgewood intersection. So come on out! If your shifter breaks, no matter, borrow Grandauntie Petunia’s washing machine! We don’t enforce UCI 3:1 rules or measure your sock length. We don’t even care if you eat too much beef. Though out of respect for the organizers of whom at least one is vegetarian, we ask that you bring the meat in already processed form.

Pre-registration only - closing THURSDAY (no exceptions!)

Stage 2: Redwoods to Waves, an epic hike – 25.6 or 15 miles – June 16

We’ll provide fun, lunch and transportation back to the start since this is a one-way hike from Saratoga Gap down to Waddell Beach. This is a hike, not a race, we won’t time you. However, I will personally give away a pair of our fabulous Beat the Clock socks to the person who makes it all the way to the beach with the least amount of blisters. Should you get blisters – do not despair, we’ll provide medical aid and you can always purchase a pair or two of Beat the Clock socks yourself.

Pre-registration ONLY (we need to figure out the transportation logistics) – only about a dozen spots left: https://www.bikereg.com/Net/15863 or http://www.active.com/outdoors/los-gatos-ca/redwoods-to-waves—an-epic-hike-presented-by-beat-the-clock-and-help-beat-cancer-2012

Stage 3: Shindig! Party! Auction! – July 14

Party till you drop and get bicycle and other items for a ridiculously low price. Further details TBA.

Stage 1: BTC Canada Time Trial – THIS SATURDAY, May 26

As always, everybody is welcome – TT bikes, fixies, non-aero Merckxs, World Bicycle Relief bikes, Olympians, World Champions, recumbents of all styles, tandems, unicycles, flying sausages, and anything non-motorized with at least one wheel – dead or alive!

Of course, we prefer our participants and volunteers alive, but I suppose if worse comes to worst, we could prop up a few mummies with a flag at the Edgewood intersection. So come on out! If your shifter breaks, no matter, borrow Grandauntie Petunia’s washing machine! We don’t enforce UCI 3:1 rules or measure your sock length. We don’t even care if you eat too much beef. Though out of respect for the organizers of whom at least one is vegetarian, we ask that you bring the meat in already processed form.

Pre-registration only - closing THURSDAY (no exceptions!)

Stage 2: Redwoods to Waves, an epic hike – 25.6 or 15 miles – June 16

We’ll provide fun, lunch and transportation back to the start since this is a one-way hike from Saratoga Gap down to Waddell Beach. This is a hike, not a race, we won’t time you. However, I will personally give away a pair of our fabulous Beat the Clock socks to the person who makes it all the way to the beach with the least amount of blisters. Should you get blisters – do not despair, we’ll provide medical aid and you can always purchase a pair or two of Beat the Clock socks yourself.

Pre-registration ONLY (we need to figure out the transportation logistics) – only about a dozen spots left: https://www.bikereg.com/Net/15863 or http://www.active.com/outdoors/los-gatos-ca/redwoods-to-waves—an-epic-hike-presented-by-beat-the-clock-and-help-beat-cancer-2012

Stage 3: Shindig! Party! Auction! – July 14

Party till you drop and get bicycle and other items for a ridiculously low price. Further details TBA.

2011-09-18 Sunny, high in the 90′s

Be prepared for a lot of gunfire on this hike. There is a gun club near by, and by the sounds of things they are giving away free ammo.

Castle Rock has some very interesting rock formations. It is very easy to get to from the parking lot. A lot of rock climbers come here.

If you want to go rock climbing stick to the Ridge Trail and Castle Rock Trail.

Not sure what it’s like the rest of the year, but when we were there we were eaten alive by bugs. Bring bug repellant.

We went to Castle Rock first. To hike a loop we started on the Ridge Trail.

The Ridge Trail is mostly covered, but there are spots to peak out. Again this is where most of the rock climbers go, and there are views from those rocks.

We stopped to eat our packed lunch at the Castle Rock Trail Camp. BE CAREFUL HERE. The trail gets really confusing. You have to back track a wee bit to get to the Saratoga Gap Trail. Or you can be like us and quite a few other hikers there and hike in circles for a while. However there is a water fountain and restrooms there. I still recommend bringing your own water with you always. Better to be safe than sorry.

the Emily Smith Observation Point

Once you are on the Saratoga Gap Trail it is basically a open trail on the side of a cliff.

Outstanding views, but not a place to be if you are afraid of heights. The trail is so narrow and nonexistent in places that it has metal rope for you to hold onto so that you don’t fall off the cliff

This is a must do hike.

Latitude 37°13’50.39″N
Longitude 122° 5’45.01″W