The Strawberry Jack trail is a 4 mile trail that connects Buck Gulch to a number of major trail intersections on the northwestern part of the Buffalo Creek network. The surface is mostly the crushed gravel that's typical of buffalo creek.
The lower 3 miles climbs about 1000 feet from Buck Gulch near the Pine Valley Ranch trailhead upto the Skipper/Homestead intersection . This section is fairly wide, nearly a doubletrack. It goes thru the Hi Meadow burn area so you'll get a good look at the fire damage and the recovering vegetation. The trail builders left zero log crossings in the trail. Because all the trees burned, there is get very little shade on this section. Most forks seem to ride this section downhill. There are a few switchbacks, but the trail is mostly a fast flow trail with high speeds and long sight lines.
The upper part of the trail is a narrow, rolling singletrack that winds thru the poderosa forest connecting Skipper/Homestead to Charlie's/Miller and onto Gashouse/Baldy.
This trail is a more fun alternative to Buck Gulch to get back to the Pine Lake parking lot from the rest of the Buffalo Creek system. The looseness and deep washouts make it a little sketch at times if you are riding fast. Great views!
| ThankNothing too difficult here. Fun rolling trail. Best to connect with other trails in the system
| ThankA fun flowy downhill run typical of Buffalo Creek.
| Thank