Ridge

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The lengthy and wide Ridge Trail connects many of the Five Brooks area trails with distant Mesa Road, near the Point Reyes Bird Observatory. Ridge Trail can be traveled in either direction and done in sections. Expect a shady, woodsy adventure with only sporadic views towards the end of this long trail.

Start from the junction with Stewart trail and head eastward over mostly level ground. Pleasant ups and downs along hillsides and along a broad ridge crest gradually bring you to the trail's high point. The descent begins with one short steep pitch into a minor valley before arriving at an intersection with the Teixeira Trail and then regaining a sharper part of the ridge line. Once you pop into a series of large, open, coastal meadows, descent steepens noticeably. Arrive finally at Mesa Road with the option to take either the Observatory Spur or the Point Reyes Bird Observatory trail to the Observatory parking lot.

Tanoak, elderberry, hazelnut, Douglas fir, coyote brush, foxglove.