Blue Ridge/Rocky Ridge

Blue Ridge and Rocky Ridge form a 30 mile long divide in the foothills west of Davis. Their southern terminus is located at Monticello Dam, just north of Cold Canyon. Combined, they extend in a north-north-west direction for 30 miles until the northern terminus of Blue Ridge at the mouth of Cache Creek, north-west of the town of Rumsey. Lake Berryessa and the Putah Creek drainage are located to their west. Capay Valley and the Cache Creek drainage are located to their east.

Mostly unknown to me. I imagine Blue Ridge and Rocky Ridge are part of the same geological formation. The two ridges appear to actually be one ridge broken in two pieces by a saddle cut by Green Canyon/Creek. I'd like to hear about it from a real geologist.

Blue Ridge and Rocky Ridge can be easily accessed many ways from Davis.

Accessing the East

Highway 16 runs up the Capay Valley to the east of the ridges. Many small roads out of Capay, Brooks, Guinda, or Rumsey could be used as access.

Accessing the West

From Davis go west on Covell Boulevard or Russell Boulevard. Covell becomes Highway 128 and merges with Russell. Highway 128 passes below the southern terminus of Rocky Ridge at Monticello Dam. After passing the Dam continue on 128 to Berryessa-Knoxville Road. Make a right on Berryessa-Knoxville and follow it along the west shore of Lake Berryessa. After rounding the north side of Lake Berryessa, Berryessa-Knoxville Road provides access the west side of Blue Ridge to the north and Rocky Ridge to the south.

Blue Ridge and Rocky Ridge are some of the closest major geological features to Davis which provide the opportunity for outdoor activities. If it is hot in Davis, it will be hot on Blue and Rocky Ridges. For this reason, recreating in this areas is best in the late fall, winter, or early spring.

Bicycling

Bicycling

Camping

While there are no public campgrounds on either ridge, much of the land is public, and is legal to camp on. If camping in this area plan on providing everything for yourself (e.g. water, food, toilet).

Climbing

Blue Ridge and Rocky Ridge have many rock outcroppings at the top. These outcroppings may be good spots for rock climbing.

Four Wheel Driving

USGS topographical maps show many four wheel drive trails traversing both sides of Blue Ridge and Rocky Ridge. Some of these trails may be on private land or inaccessible for other reasons.

Hiking and Backpacking

Hiking up Long Canyon toward Blue Ridge in February.

Blue Ridge and Rocky Ridge provide a great opportunity for hiking and backpacking close to Davis. Hiking destinations and descriptions on Blue Ridge can be found at http://www.yolohiker.org.

• Long Canyon
  

• Fiske Creek

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