Skeggs Point

Skeggs Point parking lot is clean, free, and has picnic tables in case you want to sit for a snack before you get your butt to hikin’.
El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve is one of the most beautiful places on the Peninsula to hike. I went here a week ago in search of the infamous plane wreckage (which I believe has been swept was by the rain :().
I love the Sandstone features off the Tafoni trail! Incredible. I had a great workout and my joy was not at all dampened by the rain.

Skegg’s Point is really simply a parking lot/​vista point and part of El Corte De Madera Open Space Preserve, so check out the reviews for the preserve for a more complete description of the place. That being said, the vista point itself is fine, but hiking/​biking the preserve is where it’s at.

An awesome place on a number of levels. sometimes hard to chose between attacking the trails and stopping to hang out in the beautiful forest surroundings. Some of the MTB sites present this as advanced rider-​level only; I disagree — intermediates should be fine here, provided your smart about speed and looking ahead.

One of the best set of trails I’ve ridden yet! Resolution trail definitely a bit shaky, rocky and steep, but worth checking out. Good climbs, great downhills and switchbacks! trail signs were very easy to see, which makes life all the easier. Bring plenty water!

OMG, what took me so long to get out here?! I’ve been mountain biking 10 years now and I finally got to ride Skegg’s this month. In fact, i’ve been there twice in the last 3 weeks. I think I didn’t try riding here because I kept hearing that the climb up is a bear… But, I actually prefer climbing to descending and the climb back up isn’t bad at all. It’s pretty gradual. In fact, I can climb it without using the granny. I stayed in the middle crank the entire time.
Anyhoot, the trails are well marked and they are smooth and fast. Technical spots in some sections, (I’ve done 2 routes so far so I’ve tried a variety of the trails). It’s technical in sections, but not too technical where I get frustrated. Totally doable. I didn’t mind the rocky sections because they weren’t loose. Definitely one of my faves.
Worth the climb back to the car and uuum, worth riding there even if there isn’t a «ladies room.» haha
Can’t wait to go back!

Definitely my favorite place to hit the trails with solid descents and challenging climbs. A must-​go!

Some of the best mountain biking on the peninsula. Technical single track, great descents, and not too crowded if you go at the right times.
Resolution is my go-​to-​must-​hit-​trail every time I come, and it can be looped with Methuselah or the ECdM Creek Trail, but beware — every time you make the trek back up, there are some boring fireroads. The best plan is to stay down in the trees for a while, take some loops, and then make your way out.

The last time I rode my hard tail Mountain Bike at Skeggs was in 2008. I freak out at the steep downhill with lots of loose rocks, big boulder, slippery ground and narrow single track. I was told that this mountain trail is for advance only. I did not return back to Skeggs until 4 years later with a suspension bike, better stamina, better technical skills but the fear is still there especially on the down hill sections.
The trail at Skeggs is only for intermediate or advance mountain biker riders only. This does not apply to hikers since you can walk and avoid all those steep downhill and take a much better option. I highly recommend Sandstone Formation for both hikers and mountain bikers. I stop the bike and hike for 0.2 miles to see the Sandstone Formation.
It is so easy to get lost at Skeggs since there are so many intersections and it is dark and covered by redwood trees. I love the downhill single track but some trails still give me goose bump and the fear of falling. The climb is not long or bad as Purisima Creek and you can cover 10.5 miles if you do outer loop.
This parking get full on weekend so come early before 10.00 am to get a spot or you can park ¼ miles down south for side of the road parking. I love Skeggs will try to come often and hopefully overcome my fear of the steep downhill rocky trail. I’ll be back with more courage.

The parking lot vista point isn’t very spectacular because the view is mostly obstructed by trees. However, the parking lot serves as a great starting point for the El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve with one of the major trailheads located about 0.1 mile south on Highway 35. You just have to walk along the roadside and then be careful crossing the highway.

There are several trails to explore here at Skeggs Point.
Even the shortest hike will be 6 miles. Its all pretty steady and easy with beautiful Redwood Trees and just calming nature.
The paths are mostly shaded which is a super plus for me. Who wants to hike in heat?!
The Sandstone Formation is a must! Its a unique site to see.
Quicktip:
Don’t forget to grab a map offered at the entrance!

Amazing bike trails… period. I normally ride these trails with a hardtail, but recently upgraded to a full suspensions and can’t wait to take it out there (which is what I would recommend). Watch out for rangers though, had one literally jump out of the bush and tactically get on one knee to clock my buddy.

This is one of the best places to mtn bike in the bay area.
It has a little everything and best of all a good amount of single track.
It is NOT a beginner area. Intermediate to advanced skill set only.
I have rode Skeggs on a hard tail until just recently and do have to say that a full suspension bike just makes this place better.

A must for all mountain bikers. This place is a close second to Demo Forest in Santa Cruz in terms of : —
1) Technical skill required
and/​or
2) Stupidity
I say stupidity, because this is where I got my on-​the-​job training on «how to ride 4 miles on a MTB, down a mountain, then back up a mountain, with a broken arm». Be prepared for strange weather conditions. It was lovely and sunny in the south bay but by the time we arrived at the carpark it was raining and cold. Some of the trails can be particularly challenging. Especially if you decide to do the super steep rocky ascents in the wet. Very slippy. But enjoyable watching your buddies crash and burn. There are plenty different trails to do and you can easily hook them up to get a good 4 – 5 hours biking. Go early in the morning to get a parking space and avoid the crowds. I’m looking forward to coming back to Skeggs when the splint comes off next month. I’ll be a bit more prudent with the front brake next time though …

Skeggs is one of the must-​hit trails in the bay area if you’re a mountain biker. The terrain is varied, but I would put it in the «more technical» category, which means that first time riders or beginners would probably feel more comfortable at Saratoga Gap or Joaquinn Miller in Oakland until they build more confidence/​skill.
As for route, John S. lays out a pretty good sequence of trails. Follow that and you shouldn’t be disappointed.
Sure, you can ride Skeggs on a hard tail bike, but your ass will hate you for at least two days thereafter. Bring a full suspension bike if you want to tango with the technical stuff.

My friend took me here back when I was on a fully rigid frame and it was a great ride. I highly recommend a bike with suspension for this ride, though. Depending on the route you take, you may have dismount a few times as there are a few super-​steep sections. We found it real convenient to park in the dirt lot on the west side of the road a few miles north of Skeggs Point parking lot.

This is seriously a kick-​ass trail. Follow the trail that John S. suggests and you’ll be challenged for sure. It’s pure downhill madness. I ate it real bad one time goin down, but it ain’t no thang. I haven’t been on too many of the trails here, but the one’s I’ve been on were tight as hell. If you like mountain biking, this is a defanite place to hit up.

One of the best trails in the bay. To get there from San Francisco take 280 south to 92 West and then south on State Route 35 (Skyline Blvd). It is about 5 miles south on State Route 35. DO NOT TURN LEFT INTO THE PARKING LOT FROM S. BOUND SKYLINE THIS IS ILLEGAL, AND ON WEEKENDS USUALLY THERE IS A BAD ASS COP JUST WAITING FOR SOME POOR SLOB, FAT TIRE DIRT MONKEY TO MAKE THAT ILLEGAL LEFT TURN, DRIVE DOWN SKYLINE FOR A QUARTER MILE AND USE THE TURNOUT TO FLIP A BITCH. (there is also limited parking at said turnout so you can access the southern area of the park.)
This place has GREAT trails. Single track that darts thru old Redwood forests. Try connecting the following trails. El Corte de Madera trail to Resolution trail to Fir Trail to Manzanita to Timberview to Crosscut to Giant Salamander to Methuselah.
This ride will take about 2 — 4 hours depending on skill. It is alot of fun and well worth the drive to Woodside. Maps of the park are available at the trail head.