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-->Bear Creek (Hogan Dam Road)
Overview :
- Type of trail : Out and Back
- Distance as rode : 6.5 miles
- Total Miles Available : 25+ miles
- Dificulty : Bring the Wife and Kids
- Trail Type : 25% Singletrack; 75% Fireroad
- Cardio : Mild
Highlights :
This is not the trail know as Area 51 or Coyote Point, it is on the oposite
site of the lake. The trail is mostly fireroad with some smallish hills. It can be used as a fast paced training ride, but the hills aren't big enough to be considered hill repeats. This area is used for wintering cattle in the winter time so expect cows on or near the trail between November and May. There is plenty of wildlife including herds of dear, hawks, turkey vultures, SKUNK, and wild turkeys.
Bummer :
Believe it or not, I've had two encounters with cows which spooked me a little. I know cows are silly animals, but when you get 40 or so 1 ton plus animals running in your general direction and a couple of angry bulls you can really respect why they don't have too many problems with predators.
My other problem with this trail is that it's just too easy, there is no challenge here. If you want a fast training ride, or are just looking for a little variety this is a great place. If you want challenging singletrack, forget it.
Location
Lake Hogan is located near Valley Springs, about 22 miles east of Stockton on Hiway 26.
Take 26 East from Stockton to Silver Rapids Road (about 1 mile BEFORE Valley Springs). Turn
right on Silver Rapids and follow it through a housing development until it curves around
and you can see Hogan Dam. Turn right on Hogan Dam road (over the bridge) and follow it for
about 3.5 miles to the Bear Creek day access area. Note after about 2 miles Hogan Dam road
turns into a gravel road. The trailhead is at the end of the parking lot (See the first
image).
Show on Map
Links
A friend of mine took my flying over this area. Here are the Photos I took.
Other trails near here include Coyote Point and Penn Mine.
 | Trailhead
Hey, who's the Barney manhandling my bike!
The trailhead is on the right of the image. I'm not certain that this trail
is intended for mountain bikes, there is no signage to indicate one way or
another. In any case most of the ride is on Fireroad so they can't complain
about trail damage. The little bit of singletrack is abused but large herds of
cattle and a few skid marks here and there don't compare.
We went to this trailhead and could not find the trail. It dead ends into the lake. We tried to go further and could not find the fence or fireroad.
This year Lake Hogan is higher than I've ever seen it. The trail is underwater. You can go out of the parking lot and turn left and left again and pass through the walkthrough on the right hand side of the gate to get to the fireroad.
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Bear Creek
There it is, Bear Creek. This time of year it is a very attractive little
creek. I think in the summer months it might dry up.
After following the singletrack for about 1/2 mile you will soon come to a cattle gate. You will
need to lift your bike over the fence and walk through the switchback which is
intended to keep the cattle contained (that's my story and I'm sticking to
it).
|  |
 | After crossing the cattle gate Bear creek curves off to the left and there is
a short section of singletrack and a creek crossing. If the creek is flowing you
will see a small waterfall upstream about 100 yards from the creek crossing.
After pausing to admire the waterfall continue down the trail for a couple
hundred more yards to another creek crossing.
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Quite Singletrack
On the far bank of the second creek crossing the trail sort of disappears.
Turn upstream (right) and you will find a quite little patch of singletrack
which follows this (unnamed) creek. This trail will lead you to the fireroad
which most of this trip will follow.
|  |
 | Attack Cows
You can either turn left onto the fireroad or you can use the singletrack/
cow trail that I prefer to take. The singletrack loosely follows the fireroad
and is generally between the fireroad and the lake. The term singletrack is
used rather loosely, as it is primarily a cow track. It is marginally more
challenging to ride than the fireroad but not much.
This early in the evening the cows hide their sinister intent very well.
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