Hike Sugarloaf's Pony Gate-Canyon Loop

The Pony Gate-Canyon Loop within Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a new favorite of mine on my list of family and kid-friendly hikes. Our little girls did great with this hike and loved it. If you can get moving early in the day and begin your hike around breakfast time, you might find there are few or no others on the trail with you, even on a weekend day. 

To get to the trail head, take Hwy 12 to Adobe Canyon Road. Continue on Adobe Canyon Road for 3.2 miles until you reach the posted trail head parking lot (spaces are limited, so it's beneficial to get an early start). Begin your hike at the trailhead and head up the hillside through the oak canopies and pines. Soon you'll come to the junction with Pony Gate Trail. Stay left here. You'll reach a fork and again, stay left here and follow the creek downstream. Descend to Adobe Canyon Road (just over a mile in), and take the Canyon Trail down the steps into the forest of oak canopies and fern beds. Cross over a small footbridge and head off the path to the right to check out Sonoma Creek Falls.

After you've soaked it all in, head back to the trail to begin your climb back toward Adobe Canyon Road.