Horse Trail
Trail length: 2.8 miles each way, out and back
Time: 3 hours
Terrain: oak, fir, bay forests
Restroom? Closest are at Bear Valley visitor center and parking lot
Parking: Yes, large lot at Bear Valley
Kid friendly? The Morgan Trail and Horse Ranch are more appropriate for kids
Dates visited: 11/27/16, 11/24/17, 6/10/18, 12/14/19, 3/27/20, 4/11/20
Favorite plants on this trail: California Bay (Umbellularia californica), and mushrooms
Starting at the Bear Valley Trailhead, walk up the driveway on the right to the Morgan Horse Ranch and follow the Morgan Trail behind the horse pasture which leads to the Horse Trail (.6 mile from parking lot to the Horse Trail). The Horse Trail winds through bay and oak forests in a gradual incline to the Sky Trail. Two other options for accessing the the Horse Trail are from the Kule Loklo Trail or the Sky Trail.
The Horse Trail parallels Limantour Road and has peeks of the rolling hills looking toward Point Reyes Station. This shaded forest provides a home to moisture-loving mushrooms and lichens as well as hazelnuts (Corylus cornuta), Red-berried Elder (Sambucus racemose), and barberries (Berberis).
Loop hike: Horse, Z Ranch, Mt. Wittenberg
For a 5.5 mile loop through misty forests, take the Morgan Trail (.6 miles) to Horse Trail (2.4 miles) to Z Ranch (.7 miles) to Mt. Wittenberg (1.8 miles) back to Bear Valley trailhead (.2 miles). You’ll ascend on the Horse Trail then descend the Mt. Wittenberg Trail.
Volunteer Opportunity: Morgan Horse Ranch
The National Park Service’s Morgan Horse Ranch offers volunteers an opportunity to experience all aspects of horsemanship. They assist in ranch operations, including the care, handling and riding of horses of all ages, as well as the cleaning and maintenance of tack, equipment, fences and buildings. Volunteers may also greet visitors, answer questions and briefly explain their role as a volunteer. Experienced trainers are especially needed to help with the younger horses. The need for volunteers varies greatly throughout the year.