Shuttle service offered between Sugarloaf and Hood Mountain parks

Locals eager to get out for a good, long walk amid the beauty that October offers should check out a special shuttle bus running Saturday between Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and Hood Mountain Regional Park.

The shuttle makes it easy for hikers to take advantage of the proximity of the two parks with a hike from one to the other, a challenging trek of about 7.4 miles, with a vertical climb between 2,200 and 2,500 feet, depending on which park hikers pick as a starting point.

Park operators have sponsored the shuttle service twice before at Sugarloaf and would like to make it available once a month during high season, Park Manager John Roney said.

He said the shuttle service may be offered one day in November, as well, and then be suspended for the winter before resuming again next spring.

“People love it,” Roney said, “and we're looking at expanding the program next year, if we get enough traction.”

The bus leaves hourly, between 9 a.m. and noon, from the Sugarloaf Ridge Visitor Center and the Goodspeed Trail parking lot on Adobe Canyon Road, with drop-off on the other end at Hood Mountain's Pythian Road parking lot.

It leaves Pythian Road for Sugarloaf every half-hour between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

The hike takes 3½ to 4½ hours, utilizing the Goodspeed and Natkemper trails from Sugarloaf to reach the trail to Gunsight Rock in Hood Mountain.

The Upper and Lower Johnson Ridge trails are among several alternative routes for the hike through Hood Mountain Regional Park to or from Pythian Road. Hikers should consult a map.

Roney said those who have used the shuttle service found it worked best to leave their cars in one of the parks and shuttle to the trailhead of their choice before the hike. That way the return trip can be leisurely, without having to wait or hurry to make the bus on the other end.

Reservations are recommended and can be made through brownpapertickets.com/event/2606321. Those without reservations also can take their chances on available seats.

The shuttle service is free, though $5 donations are welcome to support Team Sugarloaf, a coalition of nonprofit representatives led by the Sonoma Ecology Center and formed to reopen the park after it fell victim to state budget cuts in 2011.

You can reach Staff Writer Mary Callahan at 707-521-5249 or mary.callahan@pressdemocrat.com. Twitter: @MaryCallahanB.