RIDE INFORMATION
Distance-2 miles
Elevation Gain-200′ to Upper Oso; 450′ from Upper Oso to Nineteen Oaks.
Trail Conditions– Trail is in good shape and you are never too far from the paved road if you decide you don’t like single track riding.
Difficulty-Easy Level 1 single track. You will need to walk across the creek crossings.
Topo-San Marcos Pass and Little Pine Mountain
HIGHLIGHTS
This is a short trail, which follows the left side of the road leading to Upper Oso and provides either a short and scenic day ride or a way to and from Upper Oso without having to ride on the road.
DIRECTIONS
From Lower Oso picnic area look for the beginning of the trail just across the road. Or to bypass the first short section, ride up the road leading to Upper Oso and follow it several hundred yards. Just after crossing a bridge look for the trail. It leads left and across a small creek.
THE RIDE
This short trail is a mile in length and provides an excellent warm-up before tackling the big one-the road to Little Pine. The trail twists and winds its way through a series of meadows and a few chaparral sections to the lower end of the camp at Upper Oso. For beginners, it provides a good introduction to what single track riding is like.
If you would like to extend your bike ride, continue on past the locked Forest Service gate into the narrow upper canyon. This is composed of Matilija Sandstone, the same rock found at the top of La Cumbre Peak. Three-fourths mile up through the narrows you will come to the beginning of the Santa Cruz Trail. The first mile of this trail is heavily used by hikers and equestrian groups and it is imperative you ride slowly and be constantly on the alert for them if you ride up the trail.
On the return back to Lower Oso either follow the paved road or cruise back down the trail.