Walking the Bay Trail

from Redwood Shores to Redwood City

"Do not dread us, timid fishes,

We have neither net nor hook;

Wanderers we, whose only wishes

Are to read in nature’s book.” - Charlotte Smith

Directions: From the 101 Freeway, turn east on Redwood Shores Parkway to Airport Way. This is the first stoplight from the freeway. Turn right and right again onto Skyway Road. Continue on Skyway to the end. There are seven regular, plus two handicapped parking spaces at the road end.

Grade: Level.

Distance: Two miles.

Time: An hour or less.

Special Conditions: Handicapped accessible. Freeway noise, but good views to the east.

This short segment is so new that the “Bay Trail” signs are not yet installed. But that does not diminish its significance as a vital link of the Bay Trail through central San Mateo County. Just a few weeks ago, your Bay Trail route from Redwood Shores south took you across Highway 101 on Holly Street, then south on Industrial Road to Whipple Avenue, then east back over 101 to the area of Bair Island. Now your route is the newly completed bicycle/pedestrian path adjacent to Highway 101, which runs from the end of Skyway Road in San Carlos to the foot of Whipple Avenue and the current entrance to Bair Island.

This new segment was constructed as part of the 101 auxiliary lane project. The “path” is typically 12 feet wide (10 feet over the bridge) with an asphalt cover. On the west (freeway) side is K-rail topped with cyclone fence, and on the east side cyclone fencing with occasional gates to access billboards and PG&E towers. Considering the usual turmoil and noise from the adjacent freeway, this is not a high value view corridor, but it certainly beats the Industrial Road alternative, and views to the east over the marsh and slough are quite interesting.

This segment is about one mile long. We started at the end of Skyway Road (parking available) and walked south. Immediately we crossed Pulgas Creek, which carries storm water from the San Carlos hills to the bay. During high tide, the bay water will flood back to Industrial Road, and water fills to within inches of the 101 bridge. Viewing this area at high tide drives home the reality of wintertime flooding, when heavy runoff meets the incoming tide.

At the halfway point is another bridge over Cordilleras Creek. At the bridge, we saw a large water pipe designed to carry recycled water from the water treatment plant at the east end of Redwood Shores. This water will be used by Redwood City for irrigation and other non-potable needs.

At the Whipple Avenue end of this trail is the current entrance to Bair Island. There is also an “informal” parking area for about 10 cars, but the surface is dirt (mud in winter), and you must back out. Posted signs direct you to a 50-car parking lot on Bair Island Road next to the new condo/marina development. If you use the permanent lot, you must walk a half-mile or so on a trail behind the theater to the Whipple Avenue entrance to Bair Island.

All of the confusion about where to park and where to enter the island will be put to rest when the Bair Island Restoration Plan is approved and moves forward. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed several alternatives, none of which would bridge the sloughs surrounding the island. The FWS proposals would maintain the entrance at the foot of Whipple Avenue, which will require users to trek the half-mile from parking.

The City of Redwood City has submitted an alternative plan that “offers full protection to Bair Island’s inherent environmental features, while providing enhanced opportunities for low intensity public access, education, and understanding of the island’s unique qualities.” A key feature of the city’s plan would be to construct two pedestrian bridges—one near the San Carlos Airport and the other at the permanent 50-car parking lot. This local preferred alternative would give pedestrians ready access to the island from opposite sides and offer more opportunities for people to view and understand this unique restoration program.

This section of the Bay Trail effectively stops at Whipple Avenue. However, you can find your way on city streets to Marsh Road, where the trail again takes form.

Your comments and hiking suggestions are always welcome.

Email tom@tomdavids.com and check out the Weekly Walker Web site at www.weeklywalker.com.