I hiked twice in the past week in Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. The first two weeks of May is the perfect time to visit this ridge top preserve because of the extraordinary abundance of wildflowers. On Monday, May 2 I hiked with some friends on a warm and sunny day. The next Saturday, May 7, the weather had turned cool and foggy for my College of San Mateo field trip. On my May 2 hike we saw a long-tailed weasel running through the grass (see attached photo).
From the parking lot on Alpine Road just west of Skyline Boulevard you can take a scenic 4.8-mile loop by combining the Ridge Trail, Hawk Trail, and Ancient Oaks Trail. This route combines spectacular views (on a clear day) with oak woodlands. Be sure to ascend Borel Hill, the highest point in San Mateo County, for the view. You can expand this route by entering Coal Creek, Skyline Ridge, and Monte Bello Open Space Preserves.
TO GET THERE... from Skyline Boulevard park at the parking lot at the intersection of Skyline and Alpine Road. You can also park at the vista point along Skyline Boulevard about 1.5 miles north of Alpine Road.
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