Stebbins Cold Canyon Loop Trail

Went on the Blue Ridge Trail loop today and it was challenging at times but the view from the top was well worth it. You can see what the fire did to the flora but it also allows for more of a view. The vegetation is growing back so it wasn’t as brown and dry as I expected it to be. I definitely recommend this hike!

This hike is unlike anything I have ever hiked before. (I usually am deep in the forest). It is true that this hike is mostly all in the sun, and there is a significant climb, but the view and feeling of accomplishment is worth the sweat. I am a moderate to very active person and this still was a very good workout. Decent amount of scrambling over rocks but hiking sticks also helpful in other parts.

Update for S/​S 2016: Trails are finally reopened after long closure due to last summer’s Wragg Fire that scorched a significant portion of the trail.
The entrance to the trail has been moved directly below the old parking and there is also a new parking lot that gives easier access than before. What this means is that there is no need to cross the 128 highway any longer and that is a good thing. A not so good thing is that fire obliterated that little shade from the trees the trail had, and now it is about 80% bare, especially near the top where the grades are the steepest. Last time I actually saw a couple of snakes as well so watch your step and be prepared. Carry double the water that you think you need.
What hasn’t changed at all is the view: Stebbins is one of the best hikes in the area… It doesn’t take too long to complete, but it is still challenging enough to leave you gasping for air at times. Huge thanks for UCD and all the volunteers for working on the trails and having them re-​opened for us. We surely missed it during the closure!

If you are afraid of heights, don’t. Just don’t.
If you are that one friend who has to do triangle pose or harder on top of the most precarious rock you can find on every single occasion, this hike is for you.
Sunscreen: bathe in it. In the first four miles, you might find four feet of shade.
Good shoes are a must. My trail running shoes were perfect for this.
I went through about two and a half liters of water on the trail and then a Powerade immediately after. There was this one young Taylor Lautner-​looking fellow out there with nothing but shorts and a 24 ounce bottle. Don’t be that guy. You really need at least two liters.
I came on a weekday, partially because that’s when I can go and partially because I’d read that the college kids can be pretty annoying on the weekends around here. There were still a few noisy ones, but they mostly lingered at the base of the hike.
Figuring out where to start was a little confusing, but then I’m notoriously bad with directions. It’s kind of amazing that I’ve been able to hike alone at all. I climbed down a couple of boulders from the parking lot, then took the short trail to where you have to cross through a long dark tunnel. I may have run this part due to a slight fear of bats and the robber who recently held someone on the trail at gunpoint.
Since this was my first time doing this hike, I can’t imagine what it looked like before the fire, but it’s still really gorgeous. There were all kinds of wildflowers, and some of them seemed to change color with elevation. Monarchs and at least three other kinds of butterflies were everywhere. The view of the lake from the top is breathtaking, which I feel obligated to say because I literally gasped when I first saw it. What makes this trail so special compared to others is that you are actually at the top for a substantial amount of time, since you are literally crossing one mountain peak after another.
I would second what someone else said about this (Blue Ridge Loop) being at least moderately difficult, not because of the strain but because of the technical agility required. Meaning, I was not very sore the next day, but I still felt like this was one of the hardest hikes I’ve done. There are a lot of parts where the wrong footing would lead to certain death. So, again, if you’re afraid of heights, don’t even think about it.
That being said, I’m a little bit afraid of heights. But, after I crossed the first mountain peak, I figured that my chances of death were pretty equal whether I turned around or kept going. So I just took it really slow and didn’t worry about looking tough. I leaned into the mountain, stayed low, and even crawled or purposely slid down a few parts. I basically felt like I was doing the Down and Dirty mud run, but slowly, on top of a mountain, with a backpack, without mud, and with a potential gun-​happy robber on the loose.
Being afraid, and wanting to get the peaks over with, I didn’t stop to eat until I was literally shaking from hunger… or fear… or a combination of both. I considered trail-​blazing but was pretty sure I would die if I did. So I just sat on top of the mountain over the lake, took a few pictures that would make my mother angry (if you don’t get like at least three of these, you’ve failed this hike), and texted a friend with my location in case I went missing. You know, like you do when you meet someone you met online in person for the first time.
I’m kind of surprised that no one else mentioned snakes. I didn’t technically see any, but I heard a ton, and being that I’m from the desert, you can probably trust my snake-​hearing skills. There were also lots and lots of bees, and at least two hives that were very close to the trail. The grasshoppers were roaring for the first couple of miles. I kept thinking of this meme I saw that said something like, «That moment when you realize that the sounds of nature are just billions of insects and animals trying to get laid.» Spring is in the air…
Near the end of the trail (depending which direction you go, of course), you have to cross a little creek, which would probably be hard to do during rain or higher water, but in this case, it wasn’t bad at all. I also really didn’t think the stairs were that big of a deal, but I was thinking of them as guides more than stairs. The point is that they are wooden planks placed in areas where the dirt is extremely slippery, so if you try to take them like normal stairs, of course there is a good chance you will fall.
Overall, it was at least moderately challenging, but very much worth it.

APRIL UPDATE***
I’m so sad my favorite trail has been closed. Some person decided to bring a gun here. Gosh darn it!!! I hope it opens back up again soon:(

one of my favorite hikes in the sacramento area, about a 45 minute drive for downtown sacramento. the drive is easy and scenic through the town of winters.
once you park in the rough rock parking lot or on the road (preferred if you don’t have 4 wheel drive), you can start the trail from 1 of 2 directions. the trail starting from the left is a more steep climb to the top of the mountain and the trail starting from the right is less steep going up and more covered going up but uncovered coming down and much steeper coming down.
so left if you want to have a steep ascent with a gradual descent and the opposite if you want the right trail head. both are fine but if you have bad knees or don’t want to do down a steep hill, I prefer the left trail.
The trail is less than 50% shaded so I recommend wearing a hat or some kind of head cover. the hike is never too crowded. lots of uc davis students go on this hike. bring at least 2 liters of water on a warm day because you will need it. also bring some food/​snacks for eating at the top of the mountain. you will get a nice breeze and enjoy the beautiful views of lake berryessa while there is still water.
it takes about 2 hours if going a constant pace but if you take breaks and eat lunch obviously it will take longer. recommend leaving for this trail by 9am to avoid the crowds and also the unrelenting sun.
this is the only trail that is within a hour of sacramento that offers great lake views.
on the way back, stop at Berryessa Brewing Company for some good beer or wine and mexican taco food truck.

Fun moderate to advanced loop depending on your fitness level. Run it fast in an hour or a chill hike, scramble, crawl with the kids. There are a few spots where you may want to keep the little ones close, a few open areas on the ridge could result in a bad fall. I prefer taking the Blueridge Trail up and the hairy switchback steps of the Homestead Trail on the way down. Bring water always, just in case, when it hits 70 degrees and sunny it gets toasty. The ridges are fully exposed, as well as the Blueridge trail. The Homestead trail had nice cover for the way down or up, whichever you prefer.
Nice enough to picnic up top with a view of the lower part of Lake Berryessa.
· As always… Pack out, what you pack in! And if you have space… I usually bring an extra trash bag for picking up other peoples trash.
· Respect the trail, keep it clean!
· Respect other users as well, if you prefer to listen to music, keep it to yourself and wear headphones.
And most of all, breath in the fresh air and enjoy!

What a butt kicker! Those darn switchbacks! They are steep, good for thundering thighs! It’s a love/​hate relationship. If you are looking for a workout this is a must do. Start on the side where the porter potty sits (it’s stinks btw). I would rate this as a moderate to strenuous hike.
I love that it’s so close to Sacramento. It’s about a 45 mins drive; super easy to find. As you approach the trailhead you will see a makeshift parking lot to the right. Good luck on finding a spot, although I have been here a total of 4 times (in the past two months) and I have never had a problem finding a spot either in the dirt lot of or on either sides of the road.
My favorite trail is the Blue Ridge to Annie’s Rock and taking the loop back down. The Blue Ridge Loop is about 5 miles roundtrip; Blue Ridge to Annie’s Rock and back is approximately 7.5 miles. Once you are at the peak, the views are pretty awesome, a bit sad since we are in the midst of a drought.
Furbabies are allowed but only for the first three miles of the trail (starting at the far gate).
Things I recommend you bring/​do:
Lots of cold water, especially important when it’s HOT!
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Snacks
Ice Cold Sports drink
Be careful if you are taking pictures
Good hiking shoes
Fun/​Motivating hiking buds
Put on deordrant
Be careful of poison oak, there are tons out there
Have fun
Take breaks as needed
Bring flip flops or shoes to change into (you’re welcome)
Post your pictures to Instagram and hashtag appropriately :)
I can’t think of anything else, get out there and have an awesome workout! Get in shape.

Hiked the Blue Ridge Loop (5 miles) yesterday and man it was tough. For all you bay area people out there I would even say tougher than mission peak. But we had a lot of fun and the views are amazing.
The first 2 miles has a lottt of stairs but they aren’t so bad compared to the rest of the hike. The trail the rest of the way up was super narrow and you actually have to climb over rocks and boulders. I got worried for a little bit because I felt like we were going uphill for daaays after the third mile and wasn’t sure when we would start making our way down, but you just have to keep going!
We started the hike at 6:20pm and made it back around 8:40pm. It was pretty dark for some of our hike back down so I wouldn’t recommend starting as late as we did, although the weather was perfect.
Minus one star because I feel like there should be more signs toward the top. But nonetheless, I highly recommend this hike to anyone who’s up for a little challenge. We’ll be back soon!

Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve offers three main hiking routes and is one of my favorite places to hike. In less than an hour from the heart of Sacramento, you will find spectacular views at this reserve in Winters. I will only review the Blue Ridge Loop Trail, as that is the only one I’ve completed.
The Blue Ridge Trail is 5 miles total and is strenuous and steep. Stairs were inserted to make the hike more manageable, but let me warn you – they are very steep! In my opinion, the trail was challenging, but I’d rather much hike this thing than go on the Stair Master any day! When you reach higher elevation, you will have to maneuver through rocks and boulders. Your hamstrings will burn, your glutes will be sore, and you’ll be exhausted, but no pain, no gain! The view of Lake Berryessa from the top is so worth it.
Tips:
1. Avoid hiking in hot weather.
2. No water on site! Bring lots of water; leave water in a cooler for your return to the car.
3. There is an abundance of poison oak along the trail and there are deer ticks in the foliage. Don’t stray away from the trail and wear long socks and pants.

Much as I hated this hike, I highly recommend you try it at least once. Unless you’re afraid of heights like I am. Then reconsider.
We did the Blue Ridge loop & let me tell ya, I said things that frightened children & made grown men blush. I’m an avid day hiker, but moderate to strenuous isn’t my strong suit. My legs were burning, the narrow parts fed my fear of heights & it was hot. Ok like 75°, I think. But when I wasn’t focused on the negatives, Wow. Almost worth it.
You should really take reviewers’ recommendations about starting in the morning & packing plenty of water. If you aren’t afraid of heights and in fairly good shape you should be fine. Trail was popular with college aged kids (some prancing like mtn goats, others lookin’ like they needed oxygen) to families & a few cool, old guys that seemed happy to still be alive. This isn’t for the faint of heart but it sure is breathtaking. Do it.

Just found Annie’s Trail & man is it a butt kicker! It’s a 2.5 mile loop that’s connected to the Ridge Loop just past the stair climb up (Homestead Trail). It’s a very steep climb compared to the loop but the views are so much better! Once you get to the top take a snack break on Annie’s Rock & enjoy the best view of Lake Berryessa.
To get there: once you finish the hike up the staircase you’ll come to a fork in the road. Most people head right & take the Blue Ridge Trail but head straight to the Tulyome Trail (It’s marked with a metal sign). After you hike up you’ll find the Annie’s Trail sign & the beginning of the loop. After finishing the loop & heading down you have the option of going back down the stairs you came from or take the Blue Ridge Trail to finish the loop. If you complete both loops like we did it’s a great workout & 7.5 mile hike!

I have done the Blue Ridge Loop (5 miles) many times but decided to add an additional loop, Annie’s Trail (2.5 miles).
Directions — Hike the Homestead Trail (2 miles). This is the side with the stairs. Once you reach the top, you’ll see a metal sign labeled Tuleyome. Go past this sign & you’ll eventually see a sign for Annie’s Trail. This trail is a lot more strenuous than the Blue Ridge Loop. About 1.25 miles into the trail you’ll hit Annie’s Rock. Let me just say that the view is amazing! I recommend taking a break, sitting down, eating a snack, while taking in the breathtaking view. We did not see a single soul on this trail, which was great! After Annie’s Rock, we continued on the loop & eventually were back at the Blue Ridge Trail (3 miles). You’ll hit several peaks on this trail. The last 1.5 miles is downhill.
Difficulty — Whoever said this was an easy hike has not done all the peaks of the Blue Ridge Trail. Annie’s Trail is steeper than this but totally worth the views. I would classify this hike as moderate to difficult depending on your fitness level. According to my Garmin watch, we had an elevation gain of 2200 feet.
Tips
— Arrive early to get parking, beat the crowds, and most importantly, beat the heat! We started hiking around 8am.
— Bring plenty of water if hiking in warmer weather as well as a snack. Use a camelbak or small backpack.
— Bring a pair of flip flops to change into afterwards & Wet Ones as your feet get super dusty from the dirt.
— Wear a hat & bring sunglasses if it’s sunny & warm.
— Wear shoes with good grip like hiking shoes.
— Bring a small ice chest filled with water & leave in the car. You’ll definitely want some cold water after this hike.

This hike is strenuous in many parts! Not like you can barely hike up the trail, but it can be a hard one for you newbies! The views of Lake Berryessa are amazing if you know where to go.
If you go to the entrance, you’ll see two trails, the Homestead Trail and the Pleasants Ridge Trail. The Homestead Trail runs along the valley (go to this one if you want to loop the hike). The Pleasants Ridge trail is a one way hike and back. I have never hiked through that trail, so I don’t know if you can see any great views from there. Anyway, if you want to see the views of the lake first, go to the Blue Ridge Loop Trail. The entrance to that is a little past the little parking area at the entrance. You’ll do the hard trail up the mountain, but oh man! You’ll see the most amazing views of Lake Berryessa! But, if you want to view them at the end, go through the Homestead Trail, and it will turn into the Blue Ridge Loop Trail.
The entire loop took my friends and I a couple of hours, but it was so worth it! We got to climb over rocks and boulders on the Blue Ridge Loop Trail. The Homestead Trail mainly has the steps. Going up wasn’t the problem for me. Going down was death to my knees because of the steps and downward slopes. I have knee problems and after finishing the hike, I was so happy to sit back in the car. But, I really loved the hike and would love to come back again soon!
Come early! Parking may be a little hard to find. You get absolutely ZERO reception in the area. Good for you technology addicts.
And, of course, definitely bring water and snacks. You’ll get thirsty and hungry!
Now, go on and explore! Stop once in a while and enjoy the scenery. You won’t regret it. :)

I don’t know if it’s coz I’m more out of shape than I was before, but bruhhh. This hike is way more strenuous than Mission Peak, IMO. That was cake compared to this. But wayyyy more rewarding with the beautiful views, especially the Lake Berryessa.
The stairs weren’t too bad. Yeah there were a lot, n pretty big steps, but they weren’t that tough. I got more tired climbing rocks, tbh. But that was partially my fault coz I started climbing unnecessary rocks and boulders n going through detours just for the sake of some killer pictures. Not complaining though, totally worth it!
Everyone else’s reviews told u what u need n need to bring with you, so I won’t repeat that. But one thing I WILL say! MAKE SURE TO CLIP YOUR TOENAILS. Lmao. I’m sure that goes with any hike, or for any hygienic purposes, but man, I totally forgot, n my toes were in more pain than my body going downwards.
Also, iono how some of you walk slowly down the trail instead of running it. But then again, I blame it on my twig legs n skipping a lot of leg days. Running it down was easy and fun. That’s if you’re not scared of loose rocks. If you’re clumsy, suffer and walk down slowly lol.
But yeah, I’ve only been on 2 hikes now that I can clearly remember. This one and mission peak. This one is 10x better. Super fun, n strenuous for a short hike.
I wasn’t really hungry, but I drank 2 bottles of water. U might need more or less. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Enjoy the view n take lots of pics! Take little detours. :) it ain’t about just getting it over with and how fast you do it, but about how well you explore it.

I ventured on this hiking trail last weekend with some friends on a warm & serene Sunday morning. When you pull up to the trail entrance, parking can be a little tricky, as there’s a limited amount of parking spaces near the bridge, but you can park on the two-​way street (although it seems a little dangerous as this road was quite busy). If you drive to the right of the hiking entrance, around the blind corner is a pretty spacious area to park on your left!
The Loop trail was absolutely gorgeous; I felt like I was in a living, breathing Hayao Miyazaki film (think Princess Mononoke but with the brighter pallete of The Wind Rises! So I guess more Totoro? Idk, it was just pwiddddy). There’s plenty of areas to rest throughout the first 2 – 3 miles of the trail if you take the path the crosses over the pond first, but BEWARE of Poison Ivy! There’s a lot of it once you begin the incline where the a steep flight of stairs forces you to travel very vertical, very fast (just avoid plants in leaves of threes and you’ll be safe + sound).
Once you get to the summit (close to where the photo I’ve shared was taken that overlooks Lake Berryessa), you can choose to go backwards or press on (this is roughly the 3/3.5 mile point). For most people, it’s moderately difficult to finish, but if you are afraid of heights, the remainder can get very challenging and scary. Travel cautiously and wear very supportive hiking shoes. Also, there was a lot of mosquitos, so bug repellant would be very clutch to carry, too.
Overall, it was quite a fun hike & I would come, again!

This 5.5mi loop hike is in Northern California overlooking Lake Berryessa took my bf and I two hours.
Right off the 505 freeway, exit Russell Blvd/​Grant Ave towards Winters and continue on that same road for approx. 10 miles. When looking on the iPhone map, the exact location is right where 128 highway meets the Cold Canyon Creek (you’ll see a big U-​shape in the road). When you’re driving, you’ll see «Canyon Creek Resort». Drive about one minute past that, you’ll see a small dirt lot at the U in the road, park there! The trail is a loop so you can start with the best views first, or (as I like it) the best views last. So start the trail where you see the port-​a-​potty. Follow the right trail with the sign that says «Blue Ridge Tr.» About a mile in, there will be a fork in the road, keep right.
This is a maintained trail so you’ll see wood planks that resemble stairs. Lots of them! So be prepared for your glutes to burn! Two miles in, you’ll reach the first ridge and first view of the mountains and lake. So beautiful!
I’d recommend a small snack/​meal and plenty of water. The first half is in shade, and the second half is full sun.
I would not recommend this hike in the middle of summer unless you start EARLY.
check out my youtube video:
Enjoy!

This loop, also known as the Blue Ridge trail, is listed as «moderate» on most trail sites, however, I would definitely call this a «difficult» hike. It is difficult, especially of you’re doing the entire 5 mile loop. I started on the Blue Ridge Loop trail head. This access point will lead you to a mostly uphill climb for the first 3.75 miles.
The climb is steep, so being plenty of water, and pack a lunch! Once you get to the highest peaks of this hike, the trail becomes more difficult to follow, as you have to maneuver through several large rocks. You’ll almost question as to why this is a hike and not a rock climb, but it is not impossible! Slow and steady is the key.

It’s been a while since I’ve went on a hike so when Veteran’s Day (no school) came around, I thought, WHY NOT?! We got here at about 7:45AM and finished at 10:02AM.
— PARKING: Dirt lot in the front of the trailhead and another dirt parking lot across the street of the trailhead.
— TRAIL: Blue Ridge Loop
— DIFFICULTY: Relatively easy. However, the stairs might get you!
— DURATION: Roughly 2 hours
— MAP:
— MORE INFO:
At the beginning of the trail, there’s a sign-​in booklet and a stand to slip in donations. This was my first time seeing this concept on an actual trail. There does not seem to be an office or restrooms nearby the trailheads.
Yes, there are a ton of stairs. The real-​life-​Stairmaster-​amounts-​of-​stairs, haha. They’re not so bad, we powered through it! The hike is not bad in difficulty, especially with the rewarding views you get at the peak. Stunning overlook of Lake Berryessa with hills that vastly surround the lake. There are large boulders you have to walk through at the peak, it eventually leads to a paved trail as you continue through this looped trail. We had thought we were lost, but nope, we were on the right track through the loop!
Overall, this is a hike I can imagine doing again and again!
TIP #1: Make sure to have tons of water! Especially on the hot days! #teamhydrated
TIP #2: COME EARLIER in the mornings! Maybe consider a sunrise hike :) it’s incredibly hot during the Summer, but chilly during Fall. Dress appropriately!

«4.5 mile loop and strenuous» That is what my friend told me when she suggested us doing this trail. I laughed at her because we had just done half dome a month and a half ago which in itself is super strenuous. I told my friend, how hard could this trail be compared to the 18 mile hike we did a couple months back?
Little did I know that this trail is literally up hill, more up hill, then down hill, then back up, and down again. Just when you hit a peak, you have to climb up another one. I think we climbed up 3 different peaks. When it says strenuous, think strenuous. It may not be as bad as the 16 miles that you’ll have to hike half dome, but it’s definitely a work out. The pay off though is this beautiful view of Lake Berryessa. It’s seriously a site worth dragging your DSLR out.
I loved this trail and for Davis students, it’s only a half hour away. A bit hard to find, but make sure have your gps handy.
Tips: bring a lunch and eat it on top of one of the peaks while you enjoy the view, lots of water, snacks, good hiking shoes (lots of loose rocks, you’ll want the gripe to keep you from falling) and a camera.