Category: Projects

The section of Skyline we plan to work in is roughly between Molder Trail off Skyline Blvd. and Sierra Morena Rd., closer to Huddart Park than Wunderlich. This section is managed by San Mateo County. Tentatively, parking will be in the El Corte De Madera OSP Parking Lot, and volunteers will hike briefly on the Sierra Morena Trail in El Corte to get to Molder Trail, crossing Skyline at that point.

Location:  Google Maps Link

Directions:

Located on the west side of Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard), about one mile south of the Caltrans Skeggs Point parking area and 2.7 miles north of the intersection of Highway 35 and Highway 84.

Project Lead: tbd

Additional Information: Participants should bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, lunch and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday.

Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is located on the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Half Moon Bay. The centerpiece of this 4,711-acre Preserve is Purisima Creek Canyon, with its towering redwoods, rushing creek, and understory of ferns, berries, and wildflowers. Magnificent views of the coast and Half Moon Bay are visible from the northern part of the preserve.

Location:  Google Maps Link

Directions:

Located on Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35), 4.5 miles south of Highway 92

Project Lead: Hank Magnuski

Additional Information: Participants should bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, lunch and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday.

This vast parkland of 8,020 acres is comprised of Sam McDonald, Pescadero Creek, and Memorial county parks. The park contains a significant amount of forest and watershed related resources. Pescadero Creek, which flows all year round, is a major steelhead spawning stream. The stream is an important steelhead trout habitat and may be restored for coho salmon.

Location:  Google Maps Link

Directions:

The entrance to Pescadero Creek is through Memorial Park.

From 101 or 280: Take Highway #84 west of La Honda. Turn left 1/2 mile past village center in La Honda on Pescadero Road. The Park entrance in on Pescadero Road about 6 miles from turn off.

From Highway #1: Take coast highway to Pescadero Road about 11 miles to the park entrance.

Project Lead: tbd

Additional Information: Participants should bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, lunch and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday.

This 517-acre park is located in the community of El Granada, 25 miles south of San Francisco, and just 4 miles north of Half Moon Bay's historic district. From Highway 1 in El Granada, exit at Coronado St. and follow the signs. The entrance to Quarry Park is located at the corner of Santa Maria Ave. and Columbus St.

Added in 2014, The Wicklow Property is a natural addition to Quarry Park in the quaint coastside community of El Granada. It includes 478 acres of grassy hillsides, coastal ridges, a massive eucalyptus forest and pine and cypress groves. There is a system of trails throughout the property that go right up from the playground, restroom and parking lot already present at Quarry Park. Trails meander through meadows, forests and the quarry floor, and lead to destinations like a cool, algae-covered lake and a raised boardwalk at the harbor view vista point.

Location:  Google Maps Link

Directions:

From Highway 1 in El Granada, exit at Coronado St. and follow the signs. The entrance to Quarry Park is located at the corner of Santa Maria Ave. and Columbus St.

Project Lead: Judd Volino

Additional Information: Participants should bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, lunch and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday.

Castle Rock State Park is a land of sculpted sandstone, lush forests, and sweeping vistas. From one of the highest ridges in the Santa Cruz Mountains, park visitors enjoy hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Rock climbers explore the park's caverns and rocks, including the namesake Castle Rock. Plant-lovers come for California black oaks, knobcone pines, and high-elevation coast redwoods. The park’s 34 miles of rugged trails conveniently connect to an extensive trail system that links the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys to nearby Big Basin Redwoods State Park and open space preserves on the Skyline to the Sea Trail.

Location:  Google Maps Link

Directions:

The park is located on Highway 35, just 2 1/2 miles southeast of the junction with Highway 9.

Project Lead: Judd Volino

Additional Information: Participants should bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, lunch and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday.

The Hidden Villa farm and open space was founded by the Duveneck family in 1924. From the Hidden Villa website:

Hidden Villa is a nonprofit educational organization that uses its organic farm, wilderness, and community to teach and provide opportunities to learn about the environment and social justice.  Hidden Villa stretches over 1600 acres of open space in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 40 miles south of San Francisco. Our mission is to inspire a just and sustainable future through our programs, land and legacy.

Open to the public, Hidden Villa is enjoyed by hikers, families, day campers, and school groups. It offers several miles of trails on the property and connections to the Rancho San Antonio and Monte Bello Open Space Preserves.

Location:  26870 Moody Rd, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

Directions:

Trail Center will make arrangements so that volunteers are not required to pay for parking on the work day.

From San Francisco and the Peninsula: Take I-280 South to exit 16 towards Moody Rd. Bear left to stay on El Monte Rd for .5 mile until the intersection with Elena Rd. Turn left onto Moody Rd and continue 1.7 mile until the entrance of Hidden Villa on the left. Turn left to take the driveway, passing the gatehouse, about .2 mile and turn into the main parking lot on your right.

From San Jose and the Valley: Take I-280 North to exit 16 for El Monte Rd. Keep left at the fork for El Monte Rd west, follow signs for Moody Rd/Foothill College and merge onto El Monte Rd.  Continue about .7 mile until the intersection with Elena Rd. Turn left onto Moody Rd and continue 1.7 mile until the entrance of Hidden Villa on the left. Turn left to take the driveway, passing the gatehouse, about .2 mile and turn into the main parking lot on your right.

Project Lead: Judd Volino

Additional Information: Participants should bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, lunch and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday.

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) along with Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) and Friends of Incline Trails (FIT) are working on a project (started last year, will likely continue at least into next year) to open a historical flume route in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the USFS as a multiple-use trail between Mt. Rose Highway above Incline Village and the northern edge of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park at Tunnel Creek Road.

Note: This project was originally incorrectly listed as being in Humboldt-Toiyabe NF.

From the FIT website:

The “Incline Flume” trail is located above Incline Village and is primarily accessed from Mt Rose Highway (Hwy 431). It has also become popular as a loop from Diamond Peak up the Tyrolean Trail and back down Diamond Peak.

This is a relatively flat trail, remaining at approximately the same elevation throughout (7600 ft). There are beautiful spring wildflowers and some spectacular views of Lake Tahoe.

It is popular with trail runners, mountain bikers, walkers and hikers - of all ability levels - and used by locals, visitors, by families and individuals.

The route runs along what used to be a “flume” for commercial logging in the Lake Tahoe basin during the late 1800’s. There are still some remnants of the original flume structure.

For more details on the project, see the page on Friends of Incline Trails website.

Here is a track that roughly shows the trail's route.

Location: Earlier information about the possibility to camp at Mt Rose Campground should be discarded. The Mt Rose campground will not open: "This campground will not open during the 2017 camping season due to facility damage, hazard trees”.

Directions: Take Interstate 80 East to Truckee then 267 to Incline Village. Use Routes 28, Country Club Drive and Ski Way Road to get to the Diamond Peak Ski Area. Diamond Peak is located at 1210 Ski Way, Incline Village, NV 89451. Park in the "lower" parking lot (Diagram below - click or tap to enlarge). Travel time will be 5 to 5 1⁄2 hours depending on traffic and stops.

Supervisor: Hank Magnuski

Project Lead: Sue Hughes (Friends of Incline Trails)

Additional Information: The USFS requires that each volunteer have the following personal protective equipment: a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, sturdy boots (no sneakers), work gloves and a hard-hat. The sponsoring organizations may be able to supply a hard hat if you do not already have one, but the other items are your responsibility.

Participants should also bring a small day pack to hold items such as water, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, sun-glasses, rain gear, camera, etc.

For camp and trail work consider the following items:

• Tent or other packable shelter
• Sleeping bag and pad - temps can get down to 30 at night
• Eating utensils, plate, cup, bowl
• Personal hygiene items - this is a back country trip, so plan accordingly
• Large water bottles or the equivalent - hydration is very important at this altitude
• Sun screen - SPF 30 or better - you're two miles closer to the sun here. Don't forget your sunglasses, too.
• Bug repellent - something with plenty of deet is best
• Portable camp chair, if you have one

Djerassi Resident Artists Program, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains one hour south of San Francisco, makes its majestic 583-acre ranch available to the public on a very limited basis. The hikes feature site-inspired sculptures created and donated by artists during its 37-year history.

Web Page: djerassi.org

Location: 2325 Bear Gulch Road, Woodside, CA 94062

Directions: Bear Gulch Road is a narrow, winding, one lane country road with two-way traffic. It has a number of permanent residences. Watch for turn-offs and wider areas to accommodate oncoming traffic. Be prepared to back up if necessary. Vehicles going up hill on a steep grade and those pulling trailers have the legal right of way.

Directions from San Francisco
(estimated driving time: 1 - 1 1/2 hour)
South on 280 exit Bunker Hill Dr. turn left at the end of ramp to 92. Turn right on 92 towards Half Moon Bay.or South on 101 exit west on 92 towards Half Moon Bay.
Turn left (south) on 35 (Skyline Blvd.). Drive 10 miles. Turn right (west) on Bear Gulch Road West.

From San Jose
(estimated driving time: 1 hour)
North on 280 or 101 exit 84 (Woodside Road) towards Woodside to Skyline Blvd. Turn right (north) on 35 (Skyline Blvd.) drive for 2.2 miles. Turn left (west) on Bear Gulch Road West.

From Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Stanford
(estimated driving time: 45 minutes)
West on Sand Hill Road to Portola Road. Turn right on Portola then left on 84 (La Honda/Woodside Road) to Skyline Blvd. Turn right (north) on 35 (Skyline Blvd.) drive for 2.2 miles. Turn left (west) on Bear Gulch Road West.

From Santa Cruz
(estimated driving time: 1 1/2 hour)
North on Highway 1. Turn right on Highway 84 (La Honda/Woodside Road) to Skyline Blvd. Turn left (north) on 35 (Skyline Blvd.) drive for 2.2 miles. Turn left (west) on Bear Gulch Road West.

Once on Bear Gulch Road
Stay to the right at fork with Allen Road. After 2 miles, turn left at “SMIP Ranch” sign and proceed through tall black gates. Follow road for 1.5 miles to the Artists’ Barn. Park in designated areas.

Additional Information: Participants should bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, lunch and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday.

Coyote Point is a regional recreation area that provides a wide variety of opportunities: picnicking, swimming, windsurfing, bicycling, jogging, fishing, boating, and sailing. Kids will love the giant, castle-and-dragon-themed Magic Mountain Playground and CuriOdyssey where they can get up-close to wild animals and enjoy hands-on science exhibits. Stroll along the beach promenade, visit the marina and its breakwater, or explore the saltwater marsh. See shorebirds, colorful boats, windsurfers, and planes from the San Francisco International Airport.

Coyote Point includes a small piece of a large multi community trail that extends through most of the peninsula cities bordering the San Francisco Bay. You can start at Coyote Point and travel many miles north or south of the park offering hours of uninterrupted views of the bay and its diverse wildlife. The Bay Trail within Coyote Point extends from the southern entrance by the Yacht Club near the Marina along Coyote Point Drive with views of Popular Creek Golf Course towards the Windsurf Beach at the north entrance to the park. While dogs are not permitted in Coyote Point Recreation Area, people with dogs may pass through the park on this trail when dogs are leashed.

Park Web Page: http://parks.smcgov.org/coyote-point-recreation-area-trails

Location: Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo, California

Directions: The park is located at 1701 Coyote Point Dr., San Mateo, CA 94401

When coming to Coyote Point from the north (San Francisco), use Highway 101 South. Take the Poplar Avenue exit. Turn right onto Humbolt until Peninsula Avenue. Turn right onto Peninsula Avenue. Go over the freeway, at which point the road turns into Coyote Point Drive.

When coming to Coyote Point from the south (San Jose), use Highway 101 North. Take the Peninsula Avenue exit. Turn right onto Airport Blvd. Turn left onto Coyote Point Drive to the park.

From all directions after entering the park: Proceed through the entrance kiosks. Identify yourself to park staff as being a volunteer for the work day if the kiosk is staffed and you will not have to pay the admission fee. After the kiosks, take the second left, following the signs to the Captain's House. Pass a parking lot on your right, then take the next right up a steep driveway to the large parking lot on the hill.

Additional Information: Participants should bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, lunch and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday.