Sanborn Park: John Nicholas Trail

Final section of a 3 day hike

Distance: 3.5 miles Elevation Gain/Loss: 190/1160

We combined this section with 3 others to create a 3 day backpacking trip beginning in Skyline Ridge and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves. You can start there for the full story.

These were the final few miles of a hike that began 2 days ago at the far end of Russian Ridge and it was almost entirely downhill. Downhill with switchbacks, a lot of them.

We tried counting all of the switchbacks on this trail, but lost track somewhere in the 20s. There were also mountain bikers on this trail, a lot of them. It was a very busy trail, and you could hear the hoots and cheers of the mountain bikers echoing throughout the forest as they wound there way through the switchbacks. It seemed like a lot of fun, and my sore feet were making me wish I were there with them flying down the hill. Although the many bikers who passed us on their way up most definitely were not smiling. They were exhausted, sweaty and determined, much like us.

After a short time, one of the switchbacks opened up to an expansive view across the South Bay. We were descending from the ridge line now and this gave us a look at how far down we had left to go. After many more switchbacks through the forest we came to a small creek, something we wish we could have found yesterday when we ran out of water. The trail followed the creek to Lake Ranch Reservoir marking the end of this segment of the ridge trail. From there we took Lake Ranch Trail left down a steep half mile descent to Sanborn Road, where our ride home was waiting with a cooler full of ice cold drinks. 3 days and nearly 30 miles completed in 90 degree heat. It was far too hot that weekend for backpacking. But we pushed through it, and ultimately felt proud to have not given up. We celebrated with fat burgers before heading home to wash off the 3 days of dirt that had hitched a ride with us.

I think I would do it again. Next time maybe in the other direction, and at a better time of year.