Spring Valley Trail to Los Coches Ridge Trail Loop to Spring Valley Trail to Nature Trail
2.3 miles; 1 hr 15 min; 360 ft elev. gain; moderate
A nice jaunt from the Spring Valley Group Area in the park’s southern section, this trail starts at the Spring Valley Trailhead just off Spring Valley Road. At the first intersection, .1 miles in, continue straight toward the Los Coches Ridge Trail. The path, muddy in winter, descends to Los Coches Creek and a bridge crossing followed by a short scramble up the opposite bank to a private road. Cross the road to the Los Coches Ridge Trail and go straight (not right). The ascent begins, first shaded by oak woodland, then exposed on the hillside with great views of the hills around. At the western end of the loop, just before you reach a covered bench on a hilltop, take the short but steep cutoff to avoid a .3-mile section that drops sharply, then climbs just as steeply back up. The .4-mile segment back to the crossing more or less parallels the road below.
The steep part of this trail is now finished. Cross the road, then turn left on Spring Valley Trail, which traces Los Coches Creek until just before Oak Knoll Group Area. Return to Spring Valley Group Area along the wide, pleasant and easy Nature Trail.
—Traci Hukill
Back to Ed Levin County Park.
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