more stats

3.8 miles

Distance

490 ft

Climb

-539 ft

Descent

00:26:33

Avg time

-51 ft

Altitude change

499 ft

Altitude min

937 ft

Altitude max

853 ft

Altitude start

801 ft

Altitude end

-0.3%

Grade

-42%

Grade max

30.2%

Grade min

2 miles

Distance climb

2 miles

Distance down

1,509 ft

Distance flat

00:26:33

Avg time

Trail 47 Details

Activities
- Mountain Bike
- E-Bike
- Adaptive Bike
- Horse
- Hike
- Trail Running
Riding Area

Fort Ord National Monument
Monterey, California
AKA

Couch Canyon
Difficulty Rating

Blue Rate
Local Popularity
30 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 45 in E-Biking
- 60 in Trail Running
- 40 in Hiking
- 5 in Horseback
Global Ranking
#109352 in Mountain Biking [+]
- #80538 in E-Biking
- #91152 in Trail Running
- #111603 in Hiking
- #1407 in Horseback
Trail Type

Mixed
Bike Type

AM, XC, Adaptive MTB
Direction

Both Directions
Climb Difficulty

Blue
Physical Rating

Hard
Season

All year
Dogs Allowed

Yes
eBike Allowed

Yes up to Class 1
Land Owner

BLM California - Fort Ord National Monument

CYCLIST NOTES: Starting from Skyline Road, climb up the hill toward Laguna Seca and look for the trail to split off to your left. The initial descent behind turn 6 of Laguna Seca Raceway is fun and flows well. After the descent, climb a bit and pass the entrance/exit to the Grand Prix Campground and then start a long descent down the hillside through the Fort Ord Grasslands. Look for a split in the trail. Straight ahead is Trail 47 which re-connects with Trail 48 after a short distance.

For a little longer ride some nice views and a drop further down the hill take Trail 48 to the right. After another climb, follow the trail around a hill and then drop down into the bottom of Couch Canyon. After crossing a dry stream bed gradually climb up and out toward Skyline Road. Before you get there face "Hurl Hill" for a possible hike-a-bike.

NATIONAL MONUMENT NOTES:
This BLM managed trail is open from dawn to dusk to cyclists, hikers/joggers, and equestrians. The trail is two-way directional, and cyclists must yield to all other users; hikers/joggers must yield to equestrians. Maximum passing speed limit is less than 5 mph for cyclists for oncoming trail users and when passing those that have slowed/stopped and moved to edge of trail. Please leash your pet.

Access Info

Access via Skyline Rd heading South OR Guidotti Rd heading South

Adaptive Bike Info

aMTB Green Rating: Beginner features and moderate terrain.

Some slight off-camber, but most adaptive riders will be good

Trail Supporters

BLM
Land Manager

Local Trail Association

Monterey Off Road Cycling Association
Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to support
trail development & maintenance.
Donate to earn trail karma!

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week

2 rides
24 miles average

6 Months

14 rides
28 miles avg distance

All

129 rides
Last: Jun 22, 2026

c1	c2	c3	c4
January	February	March	April
May	June	July	August
September	October	November	December

update trails status or condition

Trail 47 Trail Reports

status	date	description
	Mar 28, 2025 @ 9:55am Mar 28, 2025	There is some tall grass next to some of the narrow trails. It is a fun route.
	May 29, 2024 @ 3:08pm May 29, 2024	Getting pretty over grown and hard to pass through.
	Feb 23, 2024 @ 10:27am Feb 23, 2024	Very muddy in several spots. Probably best to avoid for a couple weeks and let it dry up
	Sep 22, 2023 @ 8:42am Sep 22, 2023	Half of the trail has been cleared. Still some overgrown parts. The bridge at the bottom is coming along nicely.
	Jun 19, 2023 @ 10:54pm Jun 19, 2023	Don’t ride here, the trail is super overgrown and the only rideable part is the start, don’t go here