What You Should Know About Enjoying the Outdoors in Santa Cruz

With the 4th of July holiday weekend right around the corner, we know that many of you will be looking to enjoy the outdoors and hit our local trails with your family and friends. Despite high spirits surrounding the holiday, it's important to remember that we are also in the middle of a global pandemic that's currently getting worse here in California. With this information in mind, we've pulled together the below list of MBOSC-built trails to check out, recommendations for how to stay safe while outdoors, and list of dog-friendly CA State Parks for you and your furry friends.

TOP MBOSC TRAILS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Sawpit Trail reroute, Soquel Demonstration State Forest

If you're looking to spend a day mountain biking up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, be sure to check out the all-new Sawpit Trail reroute in Soquel Demonstration State Forest (SDSF). SDSF, which is a dog-friendly forest, is home to other popular MBOSC-built trails like the Flow Trail and Braille Trail, and our latest project, the Sawpit Trail reroute, offers riders over a mile of natural, technical singletrack through the forest. The Sawpit Trail reroute was completed in May of 2020, so be sure to enjoy this fresh new trail before it gets too dusty out! Read more about Sawpit on our Sawpit Trail reroute project page.

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West Engelsmans reroute, Wilder Ranch State Park

MBOSC completed work on the West Engelsmans Trail reroute in Wilder Ranch State Park in May of 2019, and this trail offers gentle climbs and curving descents to hikers, equestrians and cyclists alike. With fairly smooth terrain, an engaging rhythm and fun, winding corners, the West Engelsmans reroute is enjoyable for both beginners and more experienced trail users, and connects to Wilder's well-known spectacular ocean views. If you find yourself wanting to take in the ocean views that Santa Cruz has to offer, head over to Wilder Ranch State Park and head on up the West Engelsmans Trail reroute. Dogs are not allowed in Wilder Ranch State Park, and you can find more information about this trail on our West Engelsmans Trail reroute project page.

Glenwood Open Space Preserve (East and West), Scotts Valley

Over the past year, the MBOSC Trail Crew led the development of a 6-mile trail network within the Glenwood Open Space Preserve in Scotts Valley alongside the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, the land manager of the preserve. The Glenwood Preserve consists of two loops, one on the west side of the property, and one on the east. Both loops offer stunning views, gorgeous wildflowers, and engaging, fun trails. Please note that the trails on the west side of the property are open to hikers, cyclists and equestrians, while the trails on the east side of the property are only open to hiking for the time being. Dogs are not allowed at the Glenwood Open Space Preserve. Check out all the details on this property by visiting our Glenwood Open Space Preserve project page.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFE TRAIL USE

When you head out to the trails this weekend, please keep the safety of yourself and of others top of mind. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and recreate responsibly, check out our MBOSC-approved trail use guidelines.

MBOSC RECOMMENDATIONS:

• STAY HOME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!

  • Exercise and sanity are absolutely important, however, we recommend that everyone stay at home as much as possible until this situation passes. Countries that have figured out how to stop the rapid spread of COVID-19 have all enacted much stricter social distancing measures than we are experiencing here in California.

• IF YOU DO GO OUT, ACT AS IF YOU AND EVERYONE YOU ENCOUNTER OUT ON THE TRAILS HAS THE VIRUS (EVEN IF YOU BOTH FEEL HEALTHY!)

  • Give plenty of room (at least 6 feet), wash your hands frequently, and bring hand sanitizer with you on rides just in case you need it.

• WEAR A MASK WHEN YOU’RE OUT, ESPECIALLY WHEN PASSING OTHERS ON THE TRAILS.

  • Take this extra precaution to keep yourself and fellow trail users safe!

• PLEASE, DO NOT RIDE/HIKE/DO ANYTHING IN LARGE GROUPS, AIM FOR SOLO ACTIVITIES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!

  • Gathering in a large group and hitting the trails increases the chance of virus transmission between members of your group as well as transmission to other trail users. As a large group, you create a bigger obstacle for other users and set a bad example for the outdoor community.
  • Tell your housemates your route, share your location with them on your phone and provide them with an expected return time if you are concerned for your safety when heading out for a solo ride.

• BUILDING ON THE PREVIOUS WARNING, DO NOT SHUTTLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!

  • Gathering together in a car, driving to a new area, and riding in a group is a dangerous and unnecessary risk to put on yourself and the community you are visiting. Maintaining the recommended 6’ between yourself and others is not possible in a car with all your buds.

• IN THE EVENT THAT PARKS SHUT DOWN, PLEASE RESPECT CLOSURES

  • If closures do occur, they are for the best of our community’s health. Respect the experts here, and avoid closed areas at all times.

• PICK OFF-HOURS TO RIDE, AND AVOID TIMES OF HEAVY TRAFFIC

  • If you do choose to enjoy the outdoors, pick a time when you believe there will be low traffic on the trails.
  • For example, riding at 4:00 p.m. on a Saturday is likely better than riding at 10:00 a.m.

• KEEP RIDES SHORT AND CONSERVATIVE IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO ENJOY THE TRAILS

  • We know that injuring yourself is never the goal when enjoying the outdoors. That said, stay in your comfort zone and do not put unnecessary pressure on emergency services or our trails.
  • Our health system cannot support additional emergencies right now, and no one wants to be the one to distract medical resources from an ongoing pandemic.
  • Keep your rides short and sweet for the time being. Give others ample opportunity to enjoy the trails!

• USE THE BATHROOM BEFORE YOUR RIDE, AND AVOID SNOT ROCKETS WHILE ON THE TRAIL

  • Many public restrooms are closed (they’re a huge vector for disease!), so do your business before hitting the trail.
  • No one wants to encounter your snot during their park visit, especially if it could cause transmission.

• KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEASH

  • Dogs can be a vector for COVID-19, so keep your pup on a leash while enjoying the trails!

• STOCK UP ON WATER BEFORE YOU HIT THE TRAILS, DO NOT SHARE FOOD OR TOOLS

  • Avoid using public water fountains (they’re another vector), and make sure your bottles are filled before heading out the door.
  • This isn’t time to swap snacks or share gear. Keep your tools to yourself, and if you absolutely must help someone out, sanitize tools before and after use.

• GIVE PEOPLE THE SPACE AND TIME THEY NEED TO USE THE TRAIL SAFELY

  • Slow down more than usual, and give fellow trail users more room than you may normally give should you need to pass.
  • Now is a time to prioritize the experience of others. Keep trail interactions safe, kind and respectful.

• SPEAK UP IF OTHERS ARE NOT FOLLOWING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS! SHARE THIS KNOWLEDGE.

  • If you encounter a group of folks shuttling or disrespecting social distances, say something to them in a respectful and informative way.
  • We’re in this together and need to hold one another accountable.

WHERE CAN MY DOG ENJOY THE OUTDOORS?

We're glad you asked! ;) Our friends over at CA State Parks recently created this all-new website with dog access information for all state parks. Check it out before heading out the door for some outdoor adventuring to ensure happy trails (and tails!).

With these tips in mind, we hope you feel ready to enjoy the beauty and challenge of our local trails. The team here at MBOSC wishes everyone a safe, fun and healthy holiday weekend!