WEEKLY
WALKER
The Meadow Trail
Loop
Coal Creek Open
Space Preserve
". . .unless the soul goes out
to meet what we see, we do not see it; nothing do we see: not a beetle, not a
blade of grass."
William Henry Hudson
(1841-1922)
Directions:
On the east side of Skyline Boulevard, 8.9 miles south of La Honda Road (Hwy
84). Park at large CalTrans Vista Point. Walk north along Skyline Boulevard
about one-quarter mile to the first road on your right, and look for the
preserve sign.
Grade:
Moderate. Elevation gain of about 400 feet.
Distance:
2.2 miles.
Time:
An hour or two.
Special
Conditions: Dogs allowed on leash. Bikes also allowed. Not suitable for jogging
strollers. No water or toilet facilities. Managed by the Midpeninsula Open
Space District (650-691-1200).
Coal Creek is a relatively small preserve
of 493 acres, but it has much to offer, with expansive views, broad meadows,
and cool forests. The name--Coal Creek--comes from a small creek at the
northern end of the preserve in which thin veins of coal can be found. Coal
Creek is located north of Crazy Pete's Road in the north end of the preserve.
According to an old (1994) copy of "Open Space News" published by
MROSD, there really was a "Crazy Pete" (Peter O'Shaunessey), a
woodcutter who lived in the area in the early 1900s. He died a resident of the
Agnews Insane Asylum on the morning of the 1906 earthquake.
This walk, however, is through the south end of the preserve. After walking north from Vista Point, turn right at the first road and walk down an asphalt road past a new home (now under construction) to Gate CC-03. Pass through this gate, and in a short distance you will reach an open meadow area bordered by large madrone trees and a trail junction. Take the Meadow Trail on your right, and continue through a forest of madrones and oaks interspersed with sandstone formations. The trail turns left and soon crosses another meadow surrounded by firs, oaks, and big leaf maples. Continue along the length of the meadow through a forest of oaks and madrones to the intersection with Upper Alpine Road. Page Mill Road is about one-half mile on your right, but instead, turn left one-half mile to Gate CC-02. You will regain the altitude you just lost on the Meadow Trail, as the trail moves up a rutted service road. Good views to the east are behind you, and a few private homes outside the preserve boundary are visible on your right. Soon you will be at the top of the meadow, where a right turn will bring you back to Skyline Boulevard.
This
is a good workout for you and your dog. On a clear day, the views are superb
and the pleasant meadows offer good sites for a trailside picnic. This preserve
is also popular with mountain bikers and equestrians, so be prepared to share
the trail.
Last Hiked: July 2001
Written by Tom Davids