Springtime on Sweeney Ridge

Sweeney Ridge can be a risky place to conduct a field trip because it is often foggy and windy.

Today, however, was sunny and mild, and wildflowers were blooming in abundance. The second session of my CSM class met at the west end of Sneath Lane this morning. We then carpooled about 4 miles to parking lot F at Skyline College. The trail begins at parking lot C, but it is closed on weekends. Our one-way 3.75-mile hike began at Skyline College and took us along Sweeney Ridge to several Nike Missile radar stations left over from the Cold War era. We enjoyed lots of beautiful views of the ocean and the bay and many wildflowers, especially cow parsnip, blue blossom, checkerbloom, Douglas iris, hedge nettle, monkey flower, and Indian paintbrush, to name a few. The deep purple iris were the star of the show.

We stopped for lunch at the stone monument that marks the place where the Portola expedition first sighted San Francisco Bay on November 4, 1769. After lunch we headed downhill on the Sneath Lane trail, crossing the San Andreas Fault, and back to where we started.

TO GET THERE... from Highway 280 in San Bruno, take Sneath Lane west to where it ends at a locked gate. From Skyline Boulevard (Hwy 35) take College Drive west to Skyline College and park at parking lot C on weekdays or parking lot F on weekends. No parking permit is required on weekends.