Skyline Ridge OSP
To see more photos of this park go to: www.LCPhoto.SmugMug.com.
Vital Stats
Getting ThereFrom the South Bay:
|
Description and MapThis 2,143-acre preserve offers ten miles of trail for exploration. Two quarter-mile trails are accessible to wheelchairs and baby strollers: one encircling Alpine Pond* and another hugging the shores of Horseshoe Lake. Several picnic tables overlook Horseshoe Lake. Views of the Lambert Creek watershed, Butano Ridge, and Portola State Park will impress the hiker who makes this trek.
To be honest the short walk around Horseshoe Lake is almost worth the drive all by itself. But for those who wish to venture a bit further there a great views of Redwoods and Oaks from both inside dense forest paths and scenic vistas of tree covered mountains and valleys. On clear days the coast is visible fro some areas. The loopy nature of the trail system (see map, click to enlarge) makes for easily customizable hikes for all levels of abilities. Strangely most of the trails are not named on the map or on the signage on the trails. Confusingly some of the ones that are named, are named differently on the signage on the trails than on the map. Fortunately the signs are fairly clear as to the destinations the trails lead to which helps keep you on track. Make sure you take a map though it helps a lot to stay on the route you want. *Alpine Pond is about 1.5 miles from the Skyline Ridge parking area (so a 3 mile hike). It is more easily accessed from the Russian Ridge Parking area about a mile north of Skyline ridge. From there is only about a 0.2 mile walk from the parking area to the lake. Links
|
Easiest Hikes
|
Medium Hikes
|
Harder Hikes
|