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From redwoods to chapparal to grassland to oak forest to HUGE views - this has it all!


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Map Key

6.1

Miles

9.9

KM

66%

Runnable

2,580' 787 m

High

752' 229 m

Low

1,982' 604 m

Up

1,982' 604 m

Down

12%

Avg Grade (7°)

28%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers

Overview

This is fun run for everyone. Speed demons will find they can run the whole way. Kids will enjoy climbing the rocks at the overlook (parents may not!). The redwood forest is magical. The meadows have beautiful views and often many wildflowers. The madrone trees show off their red bark. The oak forests are peaceful. Try it, you'll like it!

Need to Know

The trail can be hot and exposed on warm summer days. It is often an excellent winter run and has fewer mud problems than other trails near here.

Runner Notes

Parts of this are a little steep for running, but overall this is a fantastic 10k run in the area.

Description

From the small parking lot (you may have to go further up the road and walk back to the trail), you'll most likely be cold and damp as you descend to Sonoma Creek in a deep redwood forest. Cross a lovely bridge and pass through more redwoods until you climb up out of the creek floor.

This ares is near the edge of the redwood life zone, so they thrive in the cool wet valley, but as soon as you ascend you'll be in more familiar CA scrubland. It can suddenly feel quite hot and exposed over the next section of trail.

Descend slightly to cross a road and then begin the non-stop climb. Along the way, you'll pass through beautiful open meadows, often filled with wildflowers, oak forests, and madrone groves. We've seen rattlesnakes, rabbits, and deer of course.

Near the top, take the left fork to the Gunsight Rock Overlook. It has a terrific view over Sonoma valley, and is a much better destination than the summit of Hood Mountain, which is mostly tree covered.

Enjoy a rest and maybe a picnic, then return the way you came.

Flora & Fauna

Redwoods, CA oaks, madrone, wildflowers. Rabbits, snakes, and deer. Lots to discover!

Contacts

Shared By:

Nick Wilder with improvements by Kelly Fleming

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 8 votes

#2704

Overall
  4.4 from 8 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#363

in California

#2,704

Overall
20 Views Last Month
3,995 Since Apr 24, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
78%
0%
22%
0%

Photos

View west over Sonoma Valley towards the Pacific ocean
Apr 24, 2015 near Kenwood, CA
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park singage
Apr 27, 2015 near Kenwood, CA
Sonoma Creek bridge and redwoods at trailhead parking lot.
Apr 24, 2015 near Kenwood, CA
Heading up the beginning of the Goodspeed Trail
Apr 24, 2015 near Kenwood, CA
As you get higher, the views start to open up.
Apr 24, 2015 near Kenwood, CA
Nice stretch of smooth path on Goodspeed Trail
Apr 24, 2015 near Kenwood, CA

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