Trail system in Annadel State Park provides cyclists options

Fortunately this isn’t really a trail one has to ride; it’s just a photo op. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

I kinda knew where I was going, kinda not. This describes many of my bike outings.

I knew I was headed to Trione-Annadel State Park on the eastern edge of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. I knew Richardson trail was where I would start. Riding back to my friend’s place along Highway 12 was not on the itinerary—but it all worked out.

This was my first time to take my e-bike to this state park. When I lived in Cotati many moons ago this is where I’d ride all the time. (All the time is relative.) Then I entered the park from the other side, so to speak, so on this particular day it didn’t feel familiar until I was riding out of the park.

Up I went on what reminded me of a dirt U.S. Forest Service road. (I miss Tahoe bike terrain.) Deer munched on the tall green grass, seeming not to care I was pedaling by.

Mount Hood is briefly part of the scenery at Annadel State Park. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

At one point Mount Hood came into view, necessitating a pause for a picture.

In early March some puddles remained on the trail from recent rains. You know those are all gone with the record heat of late.

Lake Ilsanjo looked so far off in the distance that it seemed like a good destination. Down I went, as it sits at 750 feet. It’s an itty bitty thing—all of 26 acres. It’s not very inviting close up, but people have known to fish there. I went around it before choosing to go on a different trail than what I came down on.

I knew I needed to go up to get out the way I came into the park, but my choice for routes wasn’t the best.

Puddles along the March 3 ride at Annadel in Santa Rosa. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

I should have known a trail called Rough Go was going to be rough going. My other option was to continue in the direction I had been going, which would take me to Spring Lake. So, I opted to up. I didn’t get far before I realized I was in over my legs’ ability—even on an e-bike. It was too late in the ride for that rocky, narrow, jarring terrain. To Spring Lake I went because I knew how to get “home” from there.

This trial run has me excited to take my bike back to Santa Rosa in June when I cat sit for these same friends.

I was happy to finish the day with 12.9 miles and 1,095 feet of elevation gain. Next time I plan to look at the map a little closer, maybe even follow a route others recommend for my ability level.