WEEKLY WALKER
By Tom Davids
Accessible Trails - Part II
"A road is the site of many journeys. The place of a walk is there before the walk and after it." --Richard Long
Last week we listed accessible (or whole access) trails in San Francisco and northern San Mateo County. This was not intended to be a "complete" list but rather a summary of such walks previously published in your edition of the Independent Newspaper Group. Each walk in this list is available on our Web site: www.weeklywalker.com
This week's column will cover the central and souther Peninsula. Please let me know if you have other favorite trails especially suited for visitors with wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, children, or anyone looking for a less strenuous outdoor experience. My e-mail is trekertom@aol.com or phone me at 650-592-4736 or fax to 650-591-1519.
- Purisima Open Space Preserve - "A Hike for All Ages - The Redwood Trail" - This is a beautiful one-quarter-mile hike through the redwoods. Along the way are two picnic tables and at the end of the trail, an accessible restroom. No dogs or bikes are permitted on this trail.
- Windy Hill - "On a Clear Day" - The views are superb from this grassy hilltop overlooking the South and East Bay. The picnic area (on Skyline Boulevard, 2.3 miles south of the Highway 84 intersection) is wheelchair accessible, but the trails leading out to the hillside are not. There is no restroom. Dogs allowed on leash. Young children will enjoy a romp on the three-quarter-mile Anniversary Trail or kite flying from the Windy Hill knobs.
- Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve - "A Healthy Place" - The first mile into Pulgas Ridge is along a paved service road leading into a quiet wooded valley. The road continues to the top of the ridge, but the 10 percent-plus climb may be too steep for wheelchairs. Dogs are allowed on leash on the trails and off leash at a designated area halfway up to the ridgeline. No restroom.
- Ravenswood Open Space Preserve - "Walk around a Restored Marsh" - This 1.5-mile accessible trail is on levees through a drainage/tidal slough and restored salt marsh. A viewing platform is available for watching the many shorebirds that migrate through this area. The old Dumbarton railroad bridge and causeway borders the preserve on the north. Dogs are not allowed. No restroom.
- Menlo Park - "The Sun Micro Trail" - This is a one-mile parcourse trail that borders the new Sun Micro System campus on Bayfront Expressway. The trail is asphalt with numerous sitting spots on large rocks and logs. There are no picnic tables. The views are great--all the way to San Francisco and Oakland if the day is clear. Dogs are permitted, but there are no restrooms.
- Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve - "Horseshoe Lake and Lambert Creek Trail" - This walk is around part of Horseshoe Lake on the west side. This hard-packed trail is good for wheelchairs, strollers, wagons, and trikes. So bring the young and old, and enjoy a close-up view of the water life. Please note that swimming and fishing are not allowed. Dogs are not permitted, but there are restrooms. Another accessible trail is around Alpine Pond. The trail includes access to a floating pier. For location, review the "Old Page Mill Trail" walk , which begins at the Russian Ridge Preserve.
- Byxbee Park, Palo Alto - "A Walk through Environmental Art" - This site of a reclaimed garbage dump includes a wide variety of environmental art--hedgerows, wiers, hillocks, alluvial fans, a pole field, and wind wave piece. It's a good spot for children with many points of interest and much to see and do. Dogs on leash. Restroom available.
- Picchetti Ranch Area - Monte Bello Open Space Preserve - "A Winery Walk for Everyone" - Visit this historic working winery. There is an accessible restroom and wheelchair lift into the winery. Trails through the property are not accessible, but there is plenty to make this an interesting outing.
Your comments and hiking suggestions are always welcome.
E-mail to: trekertom@aol.com.
Footnote: Check out the Weekly Walker Web site at www.weeklywalker.com.