The Stevenson Canyon Trail is a nice little side attraction at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve . Located in the Sylvan Meadows Multi-Use area, the Stevenson Canyon Trail offers a pristine single track trail winding through classic California landscape. Another plus about the ride is that most of it is shaded. Bikers are not the only ones who have access to this trail; watch for hikers and horses as well.

An interesting feature about this trail is that there is a little side loop which adds some very very nice riding. This little side part (which comes out of the main trail and goes back into the main trail latter on) is entirely shaded under century old oak trees and offers a more technical ride.

All in all, the Stevenson Canyon Trail offers a mild cardio workout along a great single track ridding and lets the riding experience the thrills of mountain biking in an amazing California landscape.

Trail Description

The Trail with lots of room

Ridding the trail

The trail is actually an offshoot of the Shivela Trail. If your riding the Shivela Trail from the Sylvan Meadows Trail, its a little more then half a mile from the start of the trail. From the other direction, its a little under a mile from the start of the trail. There is a way to access this trail from Valle Vista Road, but the trail in this section is over grown and on private property. So it is not recommended to take that way.

From the Shivela Trail-Immediately from the start, the trail begins to gain elevation rapidly. Keep ridding upwards and keep thinking to yourself of the joy of the downhill part. The trail widens and opens up. Chaparral is on each side of the trail. During this part, there will be a little offshoot to the left. This is a little side trail that joins up with the main trail later on. You could take this trail, but for the uphill part, I think it is better to take the main trail and then to take the offshoot on the way back.

Higher up in the canyon, it becomes fairly covered and becomes quite rocky. In this part, I jacked up my rear de-railer some how. Higher up, you will see a no trespassing sign. This is where I turn around. You could go higher up and the trail meets up with the Valle Vista Road, but it is not recommended. The downhill part is what is amazing about this trail (personally). The little offshoot is probably one of the funnest trails I have gone on. Its is a vary narrow single track trail entirely covered in shade. It crosses and skirts a very pretty creek amidst ancient oak trees. It is not very long, but it is worth the while.

The Sign (You can't miss it)

Getting There

From Murrieta- From the 15fwy, take the Clinton Keith Exit and head south. Follow Clinton Keith for a long time and follow it into the mountains. You pass the visitor center and pass a hairpin turn. The trailhead for Sylvan Meadows is just past this on your right side. Park here and begin riding the Sylvan Meadows Trail NW. Follow this trail until it meets up with the Shivela Trail. Take a right and follow this trail. About half a mile in, its meets up with the Stevenson Canyon Trail (it will be on the right side, you can't miss it).

When to Bike

Year round, however, try to avoid the hot summer months becuase it can get really really hot. Spring and fall are are always beatiful at the plateau.