Purdy Pharis Run

My run starts high up on Skyline at the main parking lot that leads to the North Ridge Trail head. It starts out with a steep downhill path that joins Harkins Ridge to the left. I follow Harkins and marvel at the sweeping views of Half Moon Bay, the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and Montara Mountain. At the next junction I turn left into the Craig Britton Trail.

Craig Britton has many twists and turns as it meanders deeper down into the ravine. There are a couple of bridges and small streams to cross as you move closer to Purisima Creek Road. At this junction I begin my long journey down towards the main trail head on the Half Moon Bay side. Along this road are many clearings marking evidence of the ties this preserve had with the logging industry. Once I reach the bottom I feul up on some carbs and hydrate because from here it is all uphill with little relief.

Across a small bridge, and to my left, the climb upwards starts at the Whittmore Gulch trailhead. Looking at the elevation profile below it looks like there is a 1500' gain in about 3 miles. There are two more junctions along the way which I follow to the right. Both of these are on the North Ridge trail which heads back to the parking lot. For a real burn I will run North Ridge back up the same way I came in. It was hard going down but it's getting back up that makes it hurt!