Walking the Dog at Long Ridge

 

Long Ridge Open Space Preserve

 

“I conclude, therefore, that walking is an immeasurably fine invention, of which old age ought constantly to avail itself. . .”             - Oliver Wendell Holmes

                                                                       

 

Directions: The trailhead is located three miles south of Page Mill Road on Skyline Boulevard. The Grizzly Flat trailhead is located across Skyline Boulevard. Park on either side of the road.

Grade: Easy.

Distance: Two miles.

Time: One hour.

Special Conditions: Dog walking is limited to the first part of the Peters Creek Trail and the northern segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail as described below. Multi-use trails also permit bicycling and equestrians. No water or restrooms. This preserve is operated by the Midpeninsula Open Space District (650 691-1200).

 

            Long Ridge is known for its fine views to the coast and beyond. In this preserve you will find sandstone outcroppings and the Wallace Stegner bench, which invites you to sit awhile and enjoy the view into the foggy canyon below or the sunset in the far west. Parts of the preserve house the mighty hickory or canyon oak, and the broad hillsides are ideal for spring wildflowers.

This 1,946-acre preserve has 10 miles of trails, including a connector trail from Skyline Boulevard down to Portola State Park, with a great side trip to Peters Grove. This is a 15-mile trip with an elevation loss and regain of almost 3,000 feet. For information on various Long Ridge Hikes, consult our website at www.weeklywalker.com.

The preserve has something for everyone—even for good dog Mack and his four-footed cousins. However, you must stay on designated trails and be satisfied with a two-mile round trip. Even so, it’s worth your time. You won’t have any long views to the west, but the hike through the Peters Creek watershed is a quiet combination of oak forest and hillside grassland with Peters Creek running below.

The trailhead for this two-mile round trip hike is on the west side of Skyline Boulevard, three miles south of Page Mill Road. This is commonly know as the Grizzly Flat parking area, with the Grizzly Flat Trail leading into Upper Stevens Creek County Park on the east side of Skyline. At the trailhead, you must self-register yourself as a dog walker and drop the hard copy in the slot. Having been reminded (on the signboard) that your dog must be on leash and on designated trails, you are free to go. The trail leads gradually downhill, over a grassy slope, and through an oak forest to the junction with the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Turn right at this junction, and walk slightly uphill along the grassy slope. The trail continues along the hillside with Peters Creek on your left and Skyline Boulevard above. Soon you are at the end. Dog walking stops where the trail crosses the private Portola Heights Road, and so you must turn and go back.

Short, but sweet. It was Veralyn’s first trail hike since her broken foot healed, so we especially enjoyed the chance to get some fresh air and and stretch our legs. Mack enjoyed it as usual—he seemed equally appreciative of a two-mile romp as he is of a 10-mile hike.

Your comments and hiking suggestions are always welcome.

Email <tom@tomdavids.com>

Footnote: Check the website at <weeklywalker.com>