Big Rock trail head is located in Lucas Valley. You can't miss it, off US 101 you take the Lucas Valley exit and head West. When you see a "big rock" on your right park. You will see the trail on the North side of Lucas Valley Rd, and a trail to the South. Big Rock is to the North, again, next to the big rock. Loma Alta Fire Rd is to the South and we can touch on that trail later, it leads to the infamous "680" trail.
So once your all geared up and ready you can begin your 1400 foot climb to the "Towers". It is around 3.5 miles from the Rock to the Towers. This trail is not technical but it can test your stamina and legs. A VERY FIT and VERY FAST rider can get to the top in 30 minutes or less. An average rider can expect anywhere from 45-70 minutes to the top.
Well over half this ride is on open singletrack, only the top 1/4 is fire road. I did this trail as an up and back but it can be a very long loop if you decide to go past the towers and ride the ridge trail East, there are tons of trails and possibilities so to keep this simple I will just discuss the up and back.
Back to the trail, it is a very well groomed trail, nothing technical, just some steep sections and some leg burners. I wouldn't say this is a an advanced climb but maybe a little intense for beginners or younger kids.
This like most trails is a multi-use trail and is used more by hikers than Mountain Bikers usually. OK, so back to the trail, so once you fight through the singletrack leg burners you come to a wood fence (see picture) and you have an awesome view of Lucas Valley as well as Skywalker Ranch....you feel relieved and happy....you saddle back up and pedal around the corner and see the Fire Road "wall"....ughhhh, thats right you have about half a mile of fire road left with three steep short sections to battle through...you can see the towers...just focus and pedal you will be there before you know it.
Once to the top you will ride past the big tower and from there you can look to the North and see all of Novato or to the South and see all of Lucas Valley, great views!!
Now the fun begins, you get to go down what you just pushed up. Great sight lines and not technical. It is easy to get going very fast and like I mentioned before there will be hikers so be careful and ride with control.
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