A One-Way Ramble on Long Ridge

Here is a wonderfully diverse and scenic one-way 5-mile hike at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. I tried out this route with my College of San Mateo class yesterday.

First, meet at the Grizzly Flat turnout, which is along Skyline Boulelvard, about 3.2 miles south of the intersection with Page Mill Road/Alpine Road. Leave some of the cars at Grizzly Flat and carpool about 3 miles south to the parking lot at Saratoga Gap (at the intersection of Skyline Boulevard and Highway 9). If the parking lot is full there is legal parking along the Highway 9 roadway west of the intersection.

Then cross Skyline and walk a short distance to the beginning of the Skyline-to-the-Sea/ Toll Road trail. Take the old nineteenth century toll road trail downhill (to the west) and turn right on the Skyline-to-the Sea Trail, which crosses Highway 9. On the other side of Highway 9 take the Achistaca Trail north for 1.7 miles in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. This trail was named after a band of Ohlone Indians who once inhabited this area.

The Achistaca Trail takes you through shady stands of Douglas fir and bay trees, and into open grasslands and chaparral which offer sweeping views of the mountains all the way to the ocean. Continue north on the Hickory Oaks Trail, with a side trip to the left that takes you to Turtle Rock, at the highest point in the preserve. This is a great place for lunch, with wonderful views.

Continuing north, on the dirt road trail, take the narrow trail to the right, which connects with the Long Ridge Road Trail. Turn right (downhill) on the Peters Creek Trail to the edge of a beautiful pond, which is on the Jikoji Zen Buddhist property. Look for turtles in the pond. Continuing north on the Peters Creek Trail, you will pass an abandoned apple orchard on the right, which bears delicious fruit in the fall. Then head uphill to your awaiting car(s) at Grizzly Flat.