The
Katie M. Wuttke Bench
Edgewood
County Park
“See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin; yet, I tell you, that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” - Matthew 7:21
Directions: From Highway 280, take Edgewood Road west
about one mile to Old Stagecoach Road (opposite Crestview Drive). From San
Carlos/Redwood City, take Edgewood Road west to the park.
Grade: Moderate with an elevation gain of 600 feet.
Distance: Three miles round trip.
Time: Two hours.
Special Conditions: No dogs or bicycles are allowed.
Watch for poison oak at the trailside. Park opens at 8 a.m. and closes at
sunset, when the formal parking lot is locked. Park alongside Edgewood Road if
you expect to return after dark. There are picnic tables, water, and
restrooms at the trailhead.
Information:
Phone: 650-363-4020, or
Email parksandrecreation@sanmateo.ca.us
Edgewood Park covers more than 400 acres with a wide range of topography—deep, cool canyons; broad meadows; oak woodlands; and expansive views of Skyline Ridge, San Francisco Bay, and the East and South Bay hills. The park is home to seven rare or endangered plant species, including the San Francisco thornemint, which a few years ago was thought to be extinct. The bay checkerspot butterfly is also on the list of endangered species. Edgewood Park is known for one of the Bay Area’s most spectacular displays of spring wildflowers. The flowers are best viewed in April and May, but the park is worth your time any season of the year.
The Wuttke Bench is nicely situated on a north-facing hillside with good views in three directions, including the far-off East Bay Hills.
Start your hike near the signboard in the parking lot. Take the Edgewood Trail, and climb through the forested, cool woodlands. The trail takes you west above Edgewood Road with good views of the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve across the Edgewood Canyon.
The first part of this hike is located above the day-use area, and you will see signs of an amphitheater below. It is in this area that John Isaac built a home in the 1890s. In 1903, Isaac sold his property to Henry C. Finkler, who later became secretary to the California Supreme Court. Finkler was obsessed with gathering weather statistics, and his data may have been the basis for Redwood City’s claim of “climate best by government test.” Following the death of his wife in 1927, Finkler became despondent and committed suicide on the property in 1930.
The Edgewood Trail takes several switchbacks and then levels out as it crosses a service road. Turn left at this junction for the quickest route to the Wuttke Bench. Or you may continue on Edgewood Trail as it approaches I-280 and intersects with Serpentine Loop Trail. At this junction, turn left (east), and walk along the meadow to the service road junction.
Your hike up the service road or around the meadow will bring you to a junction almost directly below the Wuttke Bench. But to reach it, you must hike east one-tenth mile to the next junction, and then turn right and climb up through one switchback and then up along the hillside and watch for a narrow side trail on your left. Take the side trail a short distance to the bench.
This is a beautiful, custom-made wooden bench with a carved back panel: “In memory of Katie M. Wuttke, 1911-1990.” The side panels show wildflowers common in the park. California poppies are featured in the carvings.
While enjoying the view and your picnic lunch, consider the interesting history of this park. The State of California purchased the property in 1967 for $4 million under eminent domain proceedings for the purpose of constructing a state college. The college plan was abandoned in 1979, and the Edgewood property was sold to the County of San Mateo for a planned golf course. This idea, however, ran afoul of more than 50 organizations interested in protecting this environmental treasure. Some 10 years later, the “Save Edgewood Park” coalition submitted a 15,000-signature petition to the County Board of Supervisors requesting that the area be preserved as open space. In May 1993, Edgewood Park was officially designated as a natural preserve.
With that bit of history, enjoy these 400 acres of solitude at the doorstep of suburbia. When it is time to go, walk back the same way you came to the Serpentine Loop junction. Continue on the Sylvan Trail (now the Sylvan Exercise Loop), and climb toward a tree-covered knoll. Walk along the shady hillside past a bench in the memory of George V. Dillenburg to the next junction. Turn right, and descend into a canyon and its eight switchbacks. Toward the end, you will come to a T-junction. Turn left, and continue down past a few private residences to the picnic area and parking lot.
Your short hike is over, but there are many trails through Edgewood Park, so be sure to return to explore another day.
(Information on Edgewood Park history is from the book, “San Mateo County Parks,” by Svanevik and Burgett, published by the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation, 2000.).
Your comments and
hiking suggestions are always welcome.
E-mail <tom@tomdavids.com>
Footnote: Check out the Weekly Walker Web site at www.weeklywalker.com.