Down to the Crossroads

Down to the Crossroads

Wunderlich County Park

"Walk aside with me. I have studied eight of nine wise words to speak to you." - William Shakespeare

Directions: The trailhead is located on the east side of Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35), 10.2 miles south of Highway 92 and 3.1 miles south of Kings Mountain Road.

Grade: Moderate. Elevation loss to the Crossroads and return gain is 670 feet.

Distance: 4.4 miles

Time: Two hours

Special Conditions: No dogs or bicycles are allowed. The path is wide, so no problem with poison oak. The park is operated by San Mateo County, (650) 363-4020.

Wunderlich County Park was one of the first places we explored when we moved to the Peninsula 24 years ago. We found some beautiful trails leading from the park office off Woodside Road and interesting features including the historic stable near the parking lot. Then one day we hiked the upper reaches of the park off Skyline Boulevard and gained new insight as to how people traveled around these hills during the early 1900s.

This week's hike starts at the trailhead off Skyline Boulevard, just south of Bear Gulch Road, 3.1 miles south of Kings Mountain Road. Park on either side of Skyline, staying clear of intersecting roads and fire hydrants. Direction signs tell you that the Crossroads is 2.4 miles via the Skyline Trail and two miles on the Alambique Trail. Also note that from this point, Huddart Park is only 5.7 miles via the Skyline Trail, but that will be the subject of another walk.

You can start hiking on either leg of this loop. We went up the Skyline Trail through a mixed fir and redwood forest, and soon topped out into the sunshine. The trail moves down along a grassy slope with views of an adjacent residential property and then follows a ridgeline back into the forest.

As you hike in and out of ravines, gradually dropping to the Crossroads, notice that the trail is an old road. You can almost picture the horse-drawn carriages with members of the Folger family on board heading into the hills for an outing. James A. Folger II purchased the property in 1902 from the son of Simon Jones, who had developed it into a working ranch. Folger was more interested in the recreation use of the property, and his family used the wagon trails and skid roads for carriage and riding trails with weekend camp-outs in the area of Alambique Creek.

Filtered views of the Stanford campus and the South Bay meet your eye as the trail descends. Leaves under your feet are from the tan oak trees that line the trail. In the fall, scattered, big-leafed maple trees also drop their leaves after the color change from deep green to bright yellow or orange brightens the landscape.

The last switchback on this section of the trail passes under a high- tension line, and soon you arrive at the Crossroads. The first trail to the left (Alambique Trail) leads you back to Skyline Boulevard. The second and lower trail left takes you to the meadow (.9 mile) and the ranger station (3.2 miles) near Woodside Road. The trail to the right dead-ends at the park boundary .3 mile away. While at the Crossroads, look carefully at the east side of the tree in the center of the trail junction, and examine the two old, white metal signs being swallowed by the bark of the tree. One points to Skyline and the other to La Honda; both seem to say that this was a busy intersection in its day.

The return hike follows the Alambique Trail on a gentle uphill grade as you gradually regain the 670-foot elevation to Skyline Boulevard. Here too, the trail is an old wagon road, well graded and wide enough for pleasant side-by-side conversation. Views of the South Bay through the trees are another reminder you that this wilderness area is only a few miles from the pressure and tension of the workaday world.

As you approach Skyline Boulevard, you will notice an old fence line (posts and occasional barbed wire) on the down slope, and then the trail passes under another high-tension line. Soon you will be at the trailhead with renewed appreciation for the many parklands and trails for enjoyment just a few miles and short distances from our homes.

Your comments and hiking suggestions are always welcome.

Email <tom@tomdavids.com>

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

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