Location: Redwood City, San Mateo County
Hike Date: 2017, June 21, Wednesday, 10:40 am
Hike Stats: 3.3 miles, 1.5 hours, 400 feet elevation gain
“The panoramic view of the seemingly never-ending valleys leading to the coast is spectacular. On a clear day, visibility extends to the ocean.” (text source: mrosd)
On one of the docent-led hikes, I learned that I need not rely on Google Maps for figuring out my route in the middle of a forest. Thanks to Marie-Anne Neimat, a docent, for introducing me to Avenza Maps (free) – a great app for hiking in the Bay Area Peninsula region. The app is available both for Android and iOS. The app uses the GPS on your phone to help you track your hiking route as well as tell you which trail you’re at.
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) provides free GeoPDF maps for some of the preserves (look for Midpen Preserves (Bundle) in the app’s Store).
More information about the app is available on the MROSD website.
Location: Redwood City, San Mateo County
Hike Date: 2017, June 28, Wednesday, 10:10 am
Hike Stats: 6.4 miles, 2.5 hours, 1375 feet elevation gain
Repeat Visit: 2019, May 4, Saturday
“The panoramic view of the seemingly never-ending valleys leading to the coast is spectacular. On a clear day, visibility extends to the ocean.” (text source: mrosd)
Location: Los Gatos, Santa Clara County
Hike Date: 2017, June 10, Saturday
Hike Stats: 5.4 miles, 4 hours, 1700 feet
Previous Visit: 2015, October 4, Sunday
For my previous trip to this state park in 2015, check out this post.
For other trails in Castle Rock State Park, check out this post on Skyline to the Sea Trail.
Location: Los Gatos, Santa Clara County
Hike Date: 2017, June 7, Wednesday
Hike Stats: 6.85 miles, 1400 feet elevation gain
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Location: Los Gatos, Santa Clara County
Hike Date: 2017, June 1, Thursday
Hike Stats: 5.33 miles, 2 hours 25 minutes, 1079 feet elevation gain
Attractive lichen-covered boulders and sandstone rock outcrops add to the scenic value of this area.
For other routes in Castle Rock State Park, see Hike in Castle Rock State Park – Saratoga Gap Trail.
Location: San Mateo County
Out-and-Back: Sawyer Camp Trail
Hike Date: 2016, December 12
Hike Stats: 6:00 miles, 2 hours
Repeat Visit: 2019, September 23, Monday
The Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir in San Mateo was a great find. The paved Sawyer Camp Trail along the length of the reservoir provides a great place to walk, run, cycle, or indulge in a leisurely stroll.
The day was perfect – bright and sunny (cold in the shadows) – drawing in moderate crowds. More families with kids started showing up later, after sundown. No pets are allowed on this trail.
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Location: Los Gatos, Santa Clara County
Hike Date: 2015, October 4
Hike Stats: 5.9 miles, 3.5 hours, 2108 feet elevation gain
Repeat Visit: 2017, June 10
Hike Date: Saturday, September 12, 2015
4.6 miles, 2 hours, 780 feet
(Repeat visits: Sunday, June 19, 2016 || Saturday, June 24, 2017)
This is our second most-favorite-hike from 2015, the first one being at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Even though it was a dull, gloomy, gray day, the panoramic views of the Santa Cruz mountains and the vast expanse of forests that stretched out onto the horizon were spellbinding.
Location: Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz County
Hike Date: 2015, September 6, Sunday
* 8.7 miles, 3.5 hours, 2287 feet
* Dool Trail – Sunset Trail – Timms Creek Trail – Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail
Repeat Visit: 2016, July 30, Saturday (Sleep Late and Hike Meetup)
* 9.5 miles, 5.5 hours
* Berry Creek Falls Loop: Dool Trail – Sunset Trail – Berry Creek Falls Trail – Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail – Sunset Trail – Dool Trail
Pedalogue 