This was my fourth time on this loop this year so for variety we used the Squak Mtn connector trail which is about 1/2 mile north on Rt. 900 from the usual trailhead. The pullout by the trailhead comes up fast and fits about 5 or 6 cars. You are very close to the busy road there so we were extra careful with the dog.
I had not been on the connector trail before. It's 0.7 miles up it to the turnoff onto the Gombu Wilderness Cliffs trail. The first half or 2/3 of the 0.7 mile is on a fairly steep old leaf covered forest road with a gravel base. Then it crosses a little bridge and becomes single track trail. It seems to me that this side of the stream valley is drier and sunnier than the normal route. It was pleasant and forested. Once we got to the Wilderness Cliffs trail we turned right and did the loop from there. Fall colors were nice. Saw some of the new trail being built between the "summit" and Shy Bear Pass. Looks like it will be nice and perhaps bypass the rockiest section. Saw about 8 or 10 other people on this surprisingly sunny November Monday.
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