General Information
User Groups:
Hikers, horses and mountain bikes with some seasonal restrictions. No wheelchair facilities.
Subjective Trail Rating for Beauty and Difficulty:
This is a 4.5 mile round-trip hike with an elevation differential of about 450 feet. About 200 feet is lost dropping down from the parking area to Peters creek and must be climbed again on return. Having said that, the demands of the hike are not extreme so that I would rate it as a moderate hike. The views from the Ridge Road are spectacular and the hike along Peters creek is both gentle and peaceful. If taken on a clear day in early spring, the beauty is incredible.
Permits:
No permits are required. Access is free.
Directions:
From the town of Saratoga in the Santa Clara County, take highway 9 west through the town and into the Santa Cruz Mountains. At the intersection of highway 35 (Skyline Blvd.) turn north (right) and continue 3.0 miles. There is a parking lot on the right for Upper Stevens Creek County Park and a pull out area on the left for Long Ridge O.S.P. You can use either of the areas.
Maps:
For a free trail map, contact the Midpenisula Open Space District at the address below. To obtain a USGS topographic map of the area, ask for Mindego Hill.
Who to contact:
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 330 Distel Court, Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 (tel) 650-691-1200.
Werner Hager at cyberguide@cyberhikes.com
Last updated June 15, 1998.
Copyright 1996, 1997 1998 by Werner W. Hager and Micromoms. All rights reserved.