"Mindego Ridge Trail"

Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

"Put your hand before your eyes, and remember, you that have walked, the places from which you have walked away and the wilderness into which you manfully turned the steps of your abandonment. . . It is your business to leave all that you have known altogether behind you, and no man has eye at the back of his head: go forward."

                        -Hilaire Belloc, "Introduction to the Footpath Way"

Directions: Take Highway 92 west to Skyline Boulevard, then go approximately 19 miles south of the intersection at La Honda Road. Park at the CalTrans Vista Point on the east side of Skyline.

Grade: Moderate. Elevation gain of about 700 feet.

Distance: 6.5 miles.

Time: 2.5 hours.

Special Conditions: No dogs allowed on trails. No restrooms or drinking water. Horses and bicycles allowed on most trails. No poison oak if you stay on the trail. Dress for wind. This is an excellent wildflower walk during April and May. Managed by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (650-691-1200).                                                                                

After an hour of hiking, we reached the gate announcing this as the end of the trail: an unceremonious gate with cattle rails in the roadway and a sign reading "Watch out for critters." Farther on was the summit of Mindego Hill and four cows watching us from their superior, off-limits position on a ridgeline ahead. But the hiker finds pleasure not necessarily in the destination, but more so in the journey. And this hike gives plenty of pleasure along the way. From expansive views to ancient oaks to wildflowers in season, you will enjoy Mindego Ridge anytime of the year, but especially in springtime.

Start from the CalTrans Vista Point parking lot on the east side of Skyline Boulevard. Cross Skyline at the north end of the parking area and walk through Gate RR-01. From this gate, the Bay Area Ridge Trail goes left and around the hillside (you will take this trail coming back) and right to the northern part of Russian Ridge.

You can also take a trail south that leads to the top of Borel Hill (2,572 feet). But for this hike, continue straight on the Mindego Trail, moving down along the hillside toward the junction with Alder Springs Trail. Right away, you can spot Mindego Ridge. It's that level gray area extending out from the lower slope of Mindego Hill, bright green with fresh grass until early summer.

Beyond the Alder Springs junction, the trail (which for the most part is a wide fire road) runs between a grassy hill on the left and a deep oak forest on the right. In the winter and early spring, water seeps from the grassy slopes above and runs along the trail to well-placed drainage pipes under the surface. That is the Mindego Creek drainage area, which eventually connects to Pescadero Creek.

Follow the trail as it continues to descend into a dense oak and fir forest, passing by the junction of Ancient Oaks Trail and then climbs up through an area of unusually large fir trees.

The trail rounds the hill into the sun with views--closer now--of Mindego Hill and Ridge. After a brief time of level hiking, follow the trail down into the headwaters of Mindego Creek. You will cross two of the tributaries that start the creek on its journey west.

After the second crossing, the trail (now single-track) climbs through the forest a short distance to a livestock gate and Mindego Ridge. On the ridgeline is a well-maintained ranch road. It is private property and off limits to the left, although the maps show that this road connects to Alpine Road in a mile or so.

Turn left on the road, and get set to enjoy wonderful, expansive views on a one-mile, mostly level hike to the trail's end. Along the way, you will spot three large oaks near the roadside on the right just before you circle around the forested north side of a small hill.

As you walk back, the full scope of Russian Ridge ahead and Skyline Ridge to the right (south) are in your view. The return hike will re-enter the forest at the livestock gate. Retrace your steps for 1.3 mile to the junction with Ancient Oaks Trail.

Turn right at the junction and climb along the forested hillside through many bay trees and a few madrones. Shortly, you will round the hillside and start to climb the open ridgeline to a row of classic old oak trees. These are great specimens of canyon oak. Huge trunks extend from a common base with gnarled branches intertwining each other.

Continuing along the ridgeline is a trail to your left. This intersects with the Ridge Trail in less than half a mile. Turn left on the Ridge Trail, and gradually descend for half a mile to the trailhead at Gate RR-01.

This is a fine way to end the hike. The Ridge Trail is pure grassland with unlimited views. We especially enjoy it when the sun is beginning to fade, the shadows are long, and the light is reflecting off the mature grass with a gray, frosty tone.

            Your comments and hiking suggestions are always welcome.

E-mail to: trekertom@aol.com.

Footnote: Check out the Weekly Walker Web at www.weeklywalker.com.