Lang Ranch/Oak Park/Cheeseboro Canyon Loop

This route starts at Lang Ranch Park and you are on the street for a 1/4 mile before you access the trail on Oakbrook Vista Trail which starts as a very steep, singletrack climb. You'll continue to have rolling climbs for the next few miles as Oakbrook Vista Trail turns into the Sandstone Hills Trail before you descend on a super fun singletrack down into Oak Park. At this point, it becomes a bit of an adventure as you need to climb a rain gutter up and over to Dumaine Ave - go left on the street to Lafitte Dr. where you make a right to Lindero Canyon - left on LIndero Canyon to King James Ct. Make a left on King James Ct and go to the end of the street where you'll access the trailhead of the China Flat Trail, also known as Dead Cow. This is not for the faint of heart as it is super steep and technical and is a little over 1 mile. Once at the top, stop to enjoy the views of Oak Park and beyond. Continue on China Flat Trail to Albertson Fire Road. From this point you are about 3 miles back to the park and it is mostly downhill with a few short climbs. You'll come out of the trail onto Lang Ranch Parkway - just stay straight and continue back to the park. The park has restrooms and picnic tables which make it nice to relax and chill after a fun, challenging outing.

If you ask the locals here, they'll tell you Dead Cow trail was named after the purpose of its origin. Early ranchers used this trail to haul deceased cattle from the mountain top to lower ground.