A Loop Hike at Sanborn County Park

For many years I avoided Sanborn County Park because there were no good loop routes through this 3,449 acre steep forested park just east of Skyline Boulevard. Trail users like me

generally prefer traveling on loop trails instead of going in and out on the same route.

All that changed a couple of years ago when Santa Clara County Parks, along with trail volunteers, constructed the 3.4-mile John Nicholas Trail. This trail, which makes a precipitous drop from the Skyline Trail near Skyline Boulevard to the Lake Ranch Reservoir. With its many switchbacks, stone retaining walls, benches, and scenic overlooks, it is one of the best designed trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains. There is also a large sandstone outcrop along the way.

For an 8.4 mile hike with an elevation range of about 1,300 feet, start at one of the parking lots near the picnic area just beyond the park entrance. There is an entrance fee. Then proceed uphill on the Sanborn Trail and turn left (south) on the Skyline Trail. Then take a left (east) downhill on the John Nicholas Trail. Along the way are some benches with a spectacular view where you can pause for lunch. If you get there too early for lunch, continue downhill to the picnic tables under some exceptionally large big leaf maple trees beside the Lake Ranch Reservoir. Boating and swimming are not allowed in the reservoir. To make the hike longer you can explore the trail on the east side of the reservoir for an in and out walk.

From the reservoir, head downhill on the Lake Ranch Trail and then walk the Sanborn Road the rest of the way back to the park entrance.

TO GET THERE... From Saratoga, proceed two miles west on Highway 9,  turn left onto Sanborn Road, and proceed one mile to the park entrance.