South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group

The hike is 7.5 miles, about 1,500 feet elevation gain. All under cover on mostly wide trails, with some nice redwood stands.

Meet in the preserve parking lot located at on Bear Creek Road in Los Gatos near Lexington Reservoir. Exit Hwy 17 at Bear Creek Road. Outhouse available.

Disclaimer: The South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers from any responsibility, liability, or claim in law or in equity. If you don't agree to these terms, DO NOT join this meetup event. The South Bay Ramblers does not certify the expertise of its event organizers - we are all volunteers. You are responsible for yourself.

NOTE the early start time as this is a small parking lot and a popular hike. The district does not issue permits for the preserve on the weekends, so I will not be increasing the limit for this hike. Please consider this and be sure to change your rsvp promptly if you decide you cannot attend. Also consider carpooling.

Last year it rained for our hike here, so let’s try again. The view from the top can be spectacular (unless the valley is covered in fog, but that's beautiful too).

Out and back hike, 8 miles round trip and 1,200 feet elevation gain.

Directions: Hicks Road to Mt. Umunhum Road. Up Mt. Umunhum Road to the Bald Mt. parking lot.

Disclaimer: The South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers from any responsibility, liability, or claim in law or in equity. If you don't agree to these terms, DO NOT join this meetup event. The South Bay Ramblers does not certify the expertise of its event organizers - we are all volunteers. You are responsible for yourself. Please come prepared with appropriate hiking shoes, gear and water.

Meet at the main entrance as shown on the map. There is no parking fee.

Hike Description: The plan is an 8.2 mile hike. The trail route is

1. Figueroa Trail, 1.3 miles to intersection
2. Continue on Figueroa for 0.7 mile to start of Serpentine Loop.
3. Continue straight on Serpentine Loop for 2.5 miles. We go counter-clockwise and return to the intersection with Figueroa.
4. Take Pena Trail for 0.4 mile
5. Turn left onto Los Cerritos Trail. 2.1 miles
6. Turn left and go back to parking lot, 0.6 miles

Driving Directions: use the Google map link to get you there.
Disclaimer: The South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers from any responsibility, liability, or claim in law or in equity. If you don't agree to these terms, DO NOT join this meetup event. The South Bay Ramblers does not certify the expertise of its event organizers - we are all volunteers. You are responsible for yourself. Please come prepared with appropriate hiking shoes, gear and water.

This park encompasses an agricultural preserve of Brussels sprout fields and the cultural preserve of the former Wilder Ranch. The buildings, barn, gardens, and Victorian house are all open to the public.

The 8.5 mile all flat bluff trail heads coastward on an old ranch road, then turns north along the bluff tops, offering a birds-eye view of the surf and harbor seals resting on the rocks off shore. It then follows ranch roads past pocket beaches, retreating inland now and then to bypass deep gullies. We will go to 4 mile beach for a break and then take the bypass to the parking lot on the return to reduce the overall mileage from our previous hikes here. Bathroom at the trailhead only.

Directions: Take Highway 17 to Santa Cruz and head north towards Half Moon Bay on Highway 1. About 4 miles after passing thru town, watch for the Wilder Ranch sign, where you'll turn left into the park. This is a State Park so there is a $10 parking fee.

Disclaimer: The South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers from any responsibility, liability, or claim in law or in equity. If you don't agree to these terms, DO NOT join this meetup event. The South Bay Ramblers does not certify the expertise of its event organizers - we are all volunteers. You are responsible for yourself. Please come prepared with appropriate hiking shoes, gear and water.