The Ridge Trail

Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve

"The sum of the whole is this: walk and be happy; walk and be healthy."

Charles Dickens

Directions: Highway 92 west to Skyline Boulevard, south 20 miles to intersection with Page Mill and Alpine roads. Turn west on Alpine Road for a short block, then right into parking lot.

Grade: Moderate, from 2,200 feet to 1,600 feet and return.

Distance: 3 miles.

Time: Two hours.

Special Conditions:
Toilet facilities at trailhead. |
Parking for 40+ cars.
This trail is open to hiking, bicycle, and equestrian use.
No dogs allowed. No poison oak if you stay on trails.
No drinking water. Be prepared for strong winds near the ridgeline.
Preserve is managed by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 650-691-1200.

The many and varied trails through Skyline Ridge will fit the many moods of the hiker. And this week we are in the mood for views. It’s not that views are hard to come by in this area. Two weeks ago we had great views from the Ancient Oaks Trail in Russian Ridge. Last week we had brief views from the Old Page Mill Trail. But this week we hike what I believe to be one of the best view trails on the Peninsula. Maybe it is because of an inviting overlook built into the sandstone, or because the trail is over grassland with no obstructions to the west, or because I’m drawn to familiar hiking territory in the distance–Butano Ridge, which rises above Portola Redwoods State Park and Pescadero Creek County Park and beyond, Butano State Park with memories of backpacking trips with my sons, Tim, Scott and Brad. For whatever reason, this is one of my favorites, and I hope you enjoy it as well.

This trail was formerly called Skyline Trail but has been renamed Ridge Trail and is part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail System. Starting at the Russian Ridge parking lot, take the underpass to the south side of Alpine Road. Follow the Ridge Trail signs, and soon you will be climbing through an oak forest, past old farm buildings used by former owners and on to the sloping grasslands above the Lambert Creek watershed. Preserve signs warn you to watch for rattlesnakes along the grassy slope. But don’t let this deter you–just keep your eyes open, and if you see a snake coiled on the path, simply detour a safe distance around it.

From here, you can enjoy the views, including the coastline on a clear day. Soon you will come to a sandstone outcropping with a concrete overlook platform built into the hillside. This is an ideal spot to stop for awhile and enjoy the view. Straight ahead is the Butano Ridge with the Portola Redwood State Park in the foreground. The canyon in front of you is the Lambert Creek watershed that joins Berry Creek passing through Peters Creek Grove, the destination of our walk several months ago.

Continue up the hillside to a junction with a farm road. At the junction, go straight ahead and begin a gradual descent to the northeast. The view in front of you is the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. Continue downhill, and catch a view of Horseshoe Lake on your right as you hike above a parking area. Soon you will enter the parking lot, pit toilet included. From here, you can continue to your right and visit Horsehoe Lake. We will visit the lake and the Lambert Creek Trail in our next walk, so here is where we turn around and go back. Retrace your steps up the grassy slope to the farm road intersection. You can continue on the single track Ridge Trail or switch over to the Alternate Ridge Trail.

We took the alternate trail on the farm road, quickly ascending to the ridge line and then enjoyed a gentle hike down through dense forest to the old farm house area, now a ranger’s facility, followed the signs and soon were back at Alpine Pond and the trail head.

Written by Tom Davids

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