trail projects

Sonoma County

This winter I went on a trip with some friends to a cozy Airbnb off the Russian River. I had only been to the Russian River once before to go tubing and that trip was kind of a disaster because I didn’t bring a tube and the rental place ran out. The group shared tubes which meant lots of time in the water and also time being cold. I still remember getting out of the river to take a break and lay on hot rocks. We laid there like damp lizards, shivering but refusing to move because those rocks were the only thing standing between us and hypothermia. After some protest (I would have happily died there), we eventually rejoined the steady flow of jolly tubers, but pruned, humbled, with the quiet understanding that the Russian River doesn’t care about your poor planning.

Okay so it was actually not that bad but one thing you should know about me is that I really hate being cold…

This trip was mostly different. No river tubing (yes hot tubbing), yes running, yes biking, yes an outdoor activity where I got too cold (King Road bike post is incoming). Our run was at Armstrong Redwoods, one of those those places that quietly rewires your brain.

I love being amongst redwood trees. Their height and granduer (I think that’s a word) make me feel small, in a poetic, my-silly-little-problems-don’t-need-to-waste-my-energy type of way.

So, getting there. You can park in Armstrong Redwoods, but there’s a $10 fee. We found parking just outside the park easily enough. Bathroom and water near the park entrance.

The route plan was Pool Ridge, Armstrong Woods Rd, East Ridge Fire Road, and East Ridge Trail the whole way home in the clockwise direction. There is limited service, so build your map or download the route in advance.

https://www.strava.com/routes/3444583705481431338

You start the route on the main park trail, passing massive redwoods in what kind of feels like a chilly coastal jungle in the winter. Pretty quickly you’ll start ascending Pool Ridge Trail, which was a lovely climb. The grade was gentle and it offered lush forests and nice views of Sonoma County wilderness.

At the end of Pool Ridge, you’ll hit a lookout point worth a quick stop. This is where Prashanth (my newly minted bffl) and I decided to take our first bffl photo. Unfortunately for Jermey, this means he had to third wheel the whole run.

From the end of Pool Ridge, watch your navigation because there are quite a few trails. You can take the extension I included on my map, or head back on East Ridge Trail to cut off a few miles. The heart-shaped extension will lead you to a short additional road ascent (Armstrong Woods Road) with more nice views.

After Armstrong Redwoods Rd, you take East Ridge Fire Road to East Ridge Trail, which is the trail that will bring you all the back back to the start. East Ridge trail was scenic, fund descent, but expect to stop often to crawl around fallen trees. Probably 15+ tree stops on this route. Because of this, you might want to run this loop in reverse to have the tree stops on the climb instead of the descent, but we still thoroughly enjoyed the loop in the clockwise direction.

All in all, a really great loop that was quite an adventure. Navigation was easy enough and the route offered forests, vistas, smooth trails, and the proper dosage of obstacles to remind yourself that you are in the wilderness.