Route 3: Ridge and Canyon Loop

Note that large portions of this trail are closed by muddy conditions after rain storms. Check the MROSD web site for current conditions of the Stevens Creek Nature trail and Skid Road trail in Monte Bello preserve.

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Route highlights:

• Note that this route is adjacent to Route 2 and Route 4. For a longer route, you can combine this route with either or both of those.
• There are no rest rooms at the trail head. The nearest rest rooms are at Skyline Ridge preserve, about 2 miles north on Skyline Blvd. You can usually find trail maps at the Long Ridge trail head on the west side of Skyline Blvd.
• This ride starts at the Grizzly Flat trail head on the east side of Skyline Blvd. The Grizzly Flat trail is actually in Upper Stevens Creek County Park. Unlike San Mateo County, Santa Clara County does allow bicycles in some of its county parks.
• There are actually two parallel branches to the Grizzly Flat trail. The two connect in a few places and you can take either one. The left branch is a little easier. Both are dirt roads that head down the canyon to Stevens Creek. The down hill is about 1.5 miles and there is gravel in the corners (and a 15 mph speed limit), so watch your speed.
• Grizzly Flat is the clearing at the bottom of the canyon. Grizzly bears lived in this area during the 1800s but are now extinct. The trail straight ahead is a dead end. The Grizzly Flat trail actually turns left and crosses the creek a little further north. The creek is fed by springs and has water year round, though it gets very low in the fall.
• Cross the creek and continue up the single track trail on the other side. For about half a mile, the trail is mildly technical with some rocky sections and some tight uphill switch backs.
• The trail dead ends at an intersection with the Canyon trail (dirt road). Turn left to head up the canyon into Monte Bello preserve. The Canyon trail is an old farm road that leads all the way to Page Mill Road. It roughly follows the Stevens Creek and also the San Andreas Fault.
• The Canyon trail climbs, mostly gradually, as you head north west. After about 2 miles, you reach a junction with the Indian Creek trail. Veer left to stay on the Canyon trail. The Indian Creek trail climbs up to Black Mountain, which is scenic detour if you have the time and energy.
• At the next junction, turn left on the Stevens Creek Nature Trail. Note: this trail is closed to bicycles when it is muddy during the winter. If it is closed, you need to continue on the Canyon trail to Page Mill Road (paved) and take Page Mill Road west to the Ridge trail.
• The first half mile of the Stevens Creek Nature trail is open to bicycles. At the next intersection when the nature trail turns right; you should continue on the road which is now the Skid Road trail. Follow the road all the way up to Skyline Blvd. (this section overlaps with Route 2 ).
• Traffic on Skyline Blvd. is often very fast, so cross the street carefully. Enter the trail head on the other side to Skyline Ridge preserve.
  
• Turn left on the gravel road and continue around the traffic circle toward the south (equestrian) parking lot. Just before the south parking lot, take the dirt road that goes up hill on the left between the south parking lot and Skyline Blvd.
• There are two routes through the Christmas Tree farm. The flatter route runs parallel to Skyline Blvd. A rougher route runs along the western edge of the tree farm. Veer left for the flatter route this time, as it also easier to follow. After about a mile, the road makes a big U-turn up hill to the right.
• At the top of the hill, look for a trail junction for the Ridge trail on your left. The trail makes another U-turn and heads back south. You start on a single track through a beautiful shaded canyon. At the end of the canyon is an abandoned chestnut tree farm. After the chestnuts, the Ridge trail runs gently downhill, parallel to Skyline Blvd., crossing several private drive ways.
• About a mile past the chestnut tree farm, you enter Long Ridge preserve. Soon you'll reach a trail junction. The left fork heads out to the Grizzly Flat parking area where you started. Before you finish, however, I recommend spending some time in the beautiful (and mostly easy) Long Ridge preserve.
• There are several nice trails in Long Ridge, which many offering great views west towards the ocean. The mapped loop is the easiest one with interesting views. The trails (actually dirt roads) through the lower part of the preserve are steeper and will give you more of a challenge than the easier trails along the top of the ridge. Feel free to explore, then return to the Grizzly Flat trail junction.
• The Grizzly Flat parking area where you started is 0.4 mile up the connector trail.

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