In
brief:
This Bay Area Ridge Trail segment is a 10.9 mile out and back hike through
woods above Jack London's ranch.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 10.9 mile out and back hike is moderate, with about 1860
feet in elevation change. Park elevation ranges from about 400 to nearly
2400 feet. The featured hike starts at about 700 feet and climbs to 2100
feet, then descends back to the trailhead. Elevation changes are mostly
gentle, but this is a long hike.
Exposure:
More shade than sun.
Trail traffic:
Moderate around trailhead, light farther afield.
Trail surfaces:
Dirt trails and fire roads.
Hiking time:
5 hours.
Season:
Nice any time, but best in early spring.
Getting there:
(Note: Google directs you to the entrance kiosk. Turn right just past the entrance kiosk to the trailhead.)
• From US 101 in Marin County, exit CA 37. Drive east about 7 miles,
then turn north onto CA 121. Drive northeast about 6.5 miles, then at a
junction where 121 veers right, continue straight onto 116. Drive north
on 116 about 1.5 miles, then continue straight on Arnold Drive as 116 bears
left. Drive north on Arnold Drive about 8 miles to the town of Glen Ellen.
Turn left onto London Ranch Road (the junction is not signed in advance).
Drive west on London Ranch Road about 1.2 miles to the park's entrance kiosk.
Once past the kiosk, turn right and drive less than 0.1 mile to the parking
lot.
• From US 101 in Sonoma County, exit CA 12. Drive southeast on CA 12
about 25 miles, then turn right onto Arnold Drive. Drive south about 1 mile
into Glen Ellen, then turn right onto London Ranch Road. Drive west on London
Ranch Road about 1.2 miles to the park's entrance kiosk. Once past the kiosk,
turn right and drive less than 0.1 mile to the parking lot.
GPS coordinates* for trailhead:
Latitude
38°21'22.88"N
Longitude 122°32'41.52"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
Gas, pay phone, stores, and restaurants in Glen Ellen and in small clusters
along Arnold Drive and 12. No camping.
Trailhead details:
Pay $10 fee at entrance kiosk. Large paved parking
lot. Portable toilet at the edge of the parking lot, and near the lake.
Drinking water in the picnic area. No maps at the trailhead -- pick up a map for $1 at the entrance kiosk. There is designated handicapped parking at this parking lot, as well as in the Museum parking lot.
There is no direct public transportation to the park.
Rules:
Park gates open daily (except for Christmas) at 9 a.m. and are shut at 5 p.m. Some trails are multi-use, while others are hiking only. Dogs are only allowed in designated historic areas including the Beauty Ranch area and on the trail to Wolf House Ruins -- they are not permitted on any other trail.
The Official Story:
Jack
London page
Park office 707-938-5216
Map & book choices/More Information:
This hike is described and mapped in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: San Francisco,
by Jane Huber (yup, that's me, the creator of this website). Order this book from Amazon.com.
• View Jack London map.
• Bay
Nature article about Jack London State Park.
Jack London State Park in a
nutshell -- a printable, text-only guide to the featured hike.
Go to Bay Area Hiker Home page