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If you live in Simi Valley or Thousand Oaks you most likely know about the Wood Ranch Reservoir or Bard Lake as it’s also known. This reservoir stores water for the surrounding areas and is pretty well hidden in the hills and you don't usually see it unless you are up above on another hill such as when riding the Albertson fire road for example. Many people may not know that it's possible to ride up to the reservoir on your bike to take a look. You can't get to the reservoir itself since it's surrounded by a security fence but you can get close enough to take a good look at it. The trail going up to the reservoir is only about 3 miles each way and is all singletrack. You can start your ride from the Wood Ranch Trailhead parking lot at the end of Wood Ranch Parkway. Going up to the reservoir is mostly uphill but there is one part where you have to go down before going back up again. Once you get to the top you can check out the reservoir for a bit and then turn around and come back down the way you went up. |
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Wood Ranch Reservoir Trail Video
Wood Ranch Reservoir Trail Review
This ride is a good one to do for a quick in and out type ride because it's fairly short and you can get it done pretty quickly which comes in handy if you are limited on time. The ride up is not too hard and any intermediate rider should not have any problem riding up it. Coming down is pretty fun and you can get some decent speed if you choose to do so. There are a few places where it can be a little rutty but it's nothing a decent bike can't handle.
Full suspension is not necessary but of course it is always better! The ride coming down will be over before you know it and you will end up back in the parking lot where you started. During the summer it gets pretty hot here so start early and don't forget your water. There isn't too much traffic on this trail from hikers or other bikers so you don't have to worry about it getting too crowded.
Wood Ranch Reservoir Trail Pictures
Directions to the Wood Ranch Reservoir Trail
View Wood Ranch reservoir in a larger map
To get to the start of this trail you can park at the Wood Ranch Trailhead parking lot and ride from there. To get to the Wood Ranch Trailhead parking lot either take Wood Ranch Parkway or Long Canyon Rd to the trailhead. If you are coming from Thousand Oaks you would exit on Madera Rd and take a right. Then take another right on Wood Ranch Parkway and follow it until it ends and you will run right into the parking lot. From Simi Valley take First Street all the way down until it turns into Long Canyon Rd and again follow it until it ends and you will be at the parking lot.
Once you start riding make sure to take the Woodridge Connector which starts at the end of Bannister Way right at the entrance to the parking lot. Follow the trail along and you will go up a short hill and then level out and come to a paved road. Cross this road and continue up the trail which is called the Woodridge Loop Trail. There will be one part on the trail where you will need to make a right rather than go straight but it should be pretty obvious even though it's not marked. After climbing a little more you will go down a semi steep hill and then back up again. Just follow the trail a little more and you will be at the reservoir.
