Woodland Loop Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The easiest way to access this trail (and the Harvey Ranch area) is to park at Saint Mary's College. Upon entering the college, check in at the guard station, pay any visitor parking fees, park, and then walk to the back of campus to the Geissberger Observatory road. Walk up the road, enjoy the views, and then pass through the gate to enter the park.

Cattle graze in Harvey Ranch and other John Muir Land Trust lands. Make sure to close all gates behind you, and never approach cattle!

Poison oak can be found on this trail. Learn how to identify it, and never touch it!

This is an excellent trail for seeking solitude in nature. You likely will not see another person during your entire hike.

Enter the Harvey Ranch park by following the Geissberger Observatory Road and passing through the gate. The start of the Woodland Loop Trail is immediately on your left. Pass through the second gate and begin descending.

The trail quickly enters shady forest dominated by California Bay and oaks. After descending for 0.15 mi (and losing about 160 feet of elevation) the trail turns sharply right (southeast). The trail stays relatively level, following the contours of the hillside. Keep an eye peeled for Big Leaf Maples, which turn yellow in the fall and are very beautiful.

At about 0.33 miles, reach a signed junction. Left (north) follows the canyon trail, which descends to Bollinger Canyon Road. Continue straight (southeast). After about 100 feet, pass through another gate. Here, the trail widens to a doubletrack.

The trail curves to the south and begins climbing the hillside. This part of the trail is a bit more open, resulting in a little less shade. At 0.5 miles reach an opening with beautiful views to east. From here you can seek Las Trampas peak, Rocky Ridge, and Bollinger Canyon.

The trail continues ascending until about 0.6 miles, after which it tops out and traverses a small ridge over to the Ridgeline Trail. Here, views of the Harvey Ranch area abound. Take it all in, and then take the Ridgeline Trail north to complete your loop.

Trees are mostly California Bay and oaks, with the occasional Big Leaf Maple and Madrone. Other plants include coyote brush (which puts on pretty white blooms in fall), ferns, and blackberry, as well as some poison oak (beware - don't touch!). In the wet winter, many types of fungi can be found. In the spring and summer, wildflowers are common, especially in the sunny parts near the trail start and finish. Birds (especially acorn woodpeckers), deer, and squirrels are very common here. Coyotes and bobcats have been spotted nearby as well.