Found in Purisima Creek Redwoods my run starts high up on Skyline at the main parking lot that leads to the North Ridge Trail head (001). It starts out with a rugged downhill path that joins Harkins Ridge (002). At this junction I head left staying on Harkins until it intersects Soda Gulch (004). Sweeping views of Half Moon Bay and Montara Mountain can be seen all along this stretch of my run. Soda Gulch has many twists and turns as it meanders deeper down into the ravine. There are a couple of bridges and small streams to cross as you move closer to Purisima Creek Road. At this junction (005) I begin my long journey down towards the main trail head on the Half Moon Bay side (007). Along this road are many clearings marking evidence of the ties this preserve had with the logging industry. Once I reach the bottom I feul up on some gel and hydrate because from here it is all uphill with little relief. The climb upwards starts at the Whittmore Gulch trailhead (008). Looking at the elevation profile below it looks like there is a 1500' gain in about 3 miles. There are two more junctions along the way, (009) and (010). Both of these are on the North Ridge trail which heads up, back to the parking lot. For a real burn I take North Ridge back up the same way I came in. It was hard going down but it's getting back up that makes it hurt!

Distance and Elevation Profile
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