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A short but pleasant loop leading runners into a thick forest of redwoods, seasonal creeks, and hardwoods.


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Map Key

4.1

Miles

6.6

KM

84%

Runnable

1,272' 388 m

High

478' 146 m

Low

826' 252 m

Up

826' 252 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

28%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This route makes for a great four-mile loop in Mount Madonna Park, allowing runners to take in some of the highlights of the park.

Description

From the Sprig Lake entrance trailhead, go through the horse trailer parking area to get to the start of the trail. Stay to the right at the split to start your run on the Merry-Go-Round Trail for a total of 1.5 miles of a steady and sometimes steep climb. The going will be well-worthwhile as you'll be shaded by towering trees.

Turn left on Tie Camp Trail and go 1.1 miles. This part of the trail goes through a really beautiful section of redwoods. Take in the shade and the beautiful views. Finally, turn left on the Ridge Trail and go 0.6 of a mile.

This trail is a fairly nondescript descent and is more of a connector than a destination trail. This will join the Merry-Go-Round Trail where you go 0.2 miles to get back to the trailhead.

Contacts

Shared By:

Matthew St with improvements by Joan Pendleton

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 7 votes

#2385

Overall
  4.6 from 7 votes
5 Star
57%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
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2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#315

in California

#2,385

Overall
11 Views Last Month
3,834 Since Sep 18, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Tie Camp Trail through the redwoods.
Sep 18, 2016 near Interlaken, CA
A stretch of beautiful sunlit oaks offering shade on Tie Camp Trail.
Jan 1, 2021 near Interlaken, CA
The Santa Cruz Mountains to the south, from high on Tie Camp Trail, on a clear New Year's Eve Day.
Jan 1, 2021 near Interlaken, CA
The forested ridges of the Santa Cruz Mountains with some winter color, seen from an open stretch along Ridge Trail.
Dec 27, 2020 near Interlaken, CA
Nearby, are the forested ridges of the Santa Cruz Mountains. In the far distance (left) the ridgeline of the Diablo Range, on the other side of Santa Clara Valley, can be faintly seen. Winter is a beautiful time in these hills.
Dec 27, 2020 near Interlaken, CA
Surrounding forested hills and meadows to the north, high on Merry-Go-Round Trail.
Dec 31, 2020 near Interlaken, CA

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