Route 2: Four Corners Loop

Note that large portions of this trail are closed by muddy conditions after rain storms. Check the MROSD web site for current trail conditions. If the White Oak or Skid Road trails in Monte Bello preserve are closed, you may want to try my Route 1 instead, which covers similar territory but without the closed sections.

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Route highlights:

• Note that this route is immediately north of Route 3. For a longer ride, you can combine the two.
  
• There is a rest room in the parking lot, but no running water.
• The Monte Bello parking has 3 trail heads. Take the west trail head (toward the White Oak trail), which heads up hill, adjacent and parallel to Page Mill Road. You can usually find trail maps at the trail head near the rest room.
• The trail climbs a short rocky slope, then levels out . In 0.3 mile, the gated White Oak trail is on your left. If the gate is closed, the trail is closed and you should not proceed.
• If the White Oak trail is open, take the trail for a nice single track descent. The top part of the trail is straight, but a little bumpy. The bottom part of the trail drops into a shaded canyon with several switch backs. At the bottom of the canyon, you cross a bridge, then climb though several easy switch backs up to the Skid Road trail (a logging road from the 1800s).
• Turn right on the Skid Road trail and continue up hill towards Skyline Blvd. The total climb from the bridge up to Skyline is about 400 vertical feet in 0.6 mile.
• Cross Skyline Blvd. carefully as traffic usually moves very fast here. Across the street, enter the gate into the parking lot for Skyline Ridge preserve, your second preserve today. This ride explores the northern half of Skyline Ridge. Route 3 explores the southern half of the preserve, including an old Christmas Tree farm and an abandoned chestnut tree orchard.
• Turn left on the dirt road and ride around the traffic circle to the south (equestrian) parking lot. On the west side of the parking lot, you'll see the trail head to Horseshoe Lake. There are actually two trails here, but only the left one is open to bicycles. Take this trail, which cruises around the back side of the lake. This artificial lake was built by farmers who once used this land to raise pigs for the the Rickey's (now owned by Hyatt) hotel and restaurant in Palo Alto. Take your time riding around the lake, as you will soon be riding up and over the big hill to the west of the lake (and the hill is bigger than it looks at first).
• As you ride around the lake, ignore the first trail on your left, which drops down to Lambert Creek.
• Turn left at the second trail after the lake, the Ridge Trail (Alternate), which is really a dirt road. The alternate trail is provided since bicycles are not allowed on the main Ridge trail.
• The Ridge Trail (Alternate) climbs moderately steeply for 0.4 mile to a junction with the (no bikes) Ridge trail. Continue on the alternate trail for a steeper 0.2 mile to another trail junction. As shown on the map, there is a figure 8 of dirt roads around the summit of the hill. I usually take the western most roads for great views of the coast.
• All the trails merge back together on the descent down to a park ranger residence area. There are a number of trails and driveways in this area. Follow the map and signs carefully to stay on the Ridge Trail (Alternate) towards Alpine Pond and Alpine Road.
• The trail loops around the west side of the pond (trails on the east side are closed to bikes) and up a short hill to Alpine Road.
• Cross over Alpine Road (watch for cars) into the Russian Ridge preserve parking lot, your third preserve of the day. The next few miles of this route are the same as Route 1, so I'll be briefer this time.
• In Russian Ridge preserve, take the Ridge trail (bikes now allowed) up to Borel Hill for some great views of the Stanford area. On a clear day you can see all the way up to San Francisco and the Bay Bridge.
  
• Back track a little and take the connector trail down to the Ancient Oaks Trail. The connector trail, the Ancient Oaks Trail, and then the Hawk trail are very scenic and fun single track trails. At the top of the Hawk trail, turn right on the Ridge trail to the Skyline Blvd. trail head.
• Take Skyline Blvd. (paved road with high speed traffic) north (downhill) for half a mile to Crazy Pete's Road. Crazy Pete's Road is on your right, immediately after a blue emergency telephone. You're now in Coal Creek preserve, your fourth preserve of the day.
• Take Crazy Pete's Road and the Valley View trail down the hill to Alpine Road. Watch your speed as there are some rocky sections, especially near the bridge at the bottom of the trail. During the spring, look for the rare Columbine flower near the junction with Alpine Road.
  
• Take (dirt) Alpine Road all the way to its top, at Page Mill Road. Across Page Mill Road, enter the trail head. You're back in Monte Bello preserve. Take the trail on your left, up a short hill, parallel to Page Mill Road. When you get to the White Oak trail junction, take the left fork. The Monte Bello preserve parking lot where you started is just 0.3 mile further.

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