Weekly

Walker

By Tom Davids

Hike to the ‘Dish’

Stanford University Academic Reserve

"My feet, they haul me round the house, they hoist me up the stairs; I only have to steer them, and they ride me everywhere."

Gelett Burgess

Directions: Take I-280 to Alpine Road in Palo Alto. Go east on Alpine Road to the first intersection on the right, which is Piers Lane. There is parking for about eight cars at the head of Piers Lane.

Grade: Moderate.

Distance: About four miles.

Time: Two hours.

Special Conditions: No restroom or drinking water. Bicycles not allowed. Dogs Ok on leash. Trail open sunrise to sunset. Major trails are asphalt. Minor trails are dirt and may be muddy during the rainy season.

When you travel I-280, you see it looming up on the east. It seems to be an antenna of some type looking a bit like a giant erector set. This, my friends, is not just any antenna. This is "the Dish" a 150-foot (that’s 15 stories) diameter reflecting parabolic antenna built in the 1960s. It was originally built to probe ionosphere disturbances in deep space. The telescope became less useful in the 70s as radio frequency interference increased in the Bay Area. Then in the 1980s, according to an article by Geoffrey Skinner in the "Trail Companion" (date unknown), advances in computer technology allowed users to filter the transmission, and the antenna was put into use again. Now, the Dish is operated by SRI International along with the Space, Telecommunication, Radioscience Lab at Stanford University. The Dish’s most recent claim to fame was reported a few weeks ago when faint signals were received from what could be the elusive Mars Surveyor.

This week’s walk gives you not only an up-close look at the Dish, but also distant and beautiful views of Mount Tamalpais, San Francisco, Mount Diablo, Mount Hamilton, and various open space preserves along Skyline Ridge.

This hike can be accessed from three gates along Junipero Serra Boulevard or from Alpine Road. However, parking is very limited along Junipero Serra Boulevard, so I prefer the access from Piers Lane. Park at the head of Piers Lane, and cross the concrete bridge over San Francisquito Creek. Stay on the asphalt road, and go over a wooden bridge. On the right is the trailhead with posted map and trail rules noted above. From the gate to the Dish, the trail is an asphalt service road that passes through scattered eucalyptus trees (note the palm tree on the horizon), then turns up and to the ridge line with good views of the Skyline Ridge (Windy Hill) to the south and west. You can now see the Dish in the distance. The trail levels out with a horse pasture to the west and an old building pad to the east.

Continue straight up the service road, ignoring side trails to your right. Soon you will reach a trail on your left that leads to a blue antenna with multiple guy wires. Don’t take this trail, but notice the block of stone at the junction–stone like that used in the construction of many early buildings at Stanford University.

As your view line opens up, Felt Lake is to the west beyond I-280. Rounding a turn in the road, you have a full view of the Dish. Closer inspection as you walk along the fence line reveals the curved rails on which the antenna moves pointed face-up to the heavens or along the southern horizon. On the south side of the Dish beside a narrow trail leading to the ridgeline is a large oak tree–a nice place for lunch. Beyond this tree is a narrow trail along the ridge leading south to a fence line, where it turns east and rejoins the asphalt road. From here, turn right to another road, then left over a cattle guard, and then right at the next junction. Farther on is another smaller antenna. The various turns are readily visible as you hike to the south.

From here you can wander around trails to the south end of the preserve. We took a trail headed for I-280, then circled back through a ravine to the ridgeline, and then returned, passing by the Dish again. The views of Mount Tam, Mount San Bruno, and San Francisco were striking.

Your comments and hiking suggestions are always welcome. Fax to the Independent at (650) 692-7587, or e-mail to: trekertom@aol.com.