Windy Hill - Razorback Ridge Trail

This hike starts from the Willowbrook/Alpine Road entrance to the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. I have often done a similar hike up to Windy Hill, but using the Spring Trail on the return. This hike starts on the same Hamms Gulch trail, but instead of turning north -- you continue south on the Lost Trail and then connecting to the Razorback Ridge Trail.

An alternate route is to do the simple out and back on the Razorback Ridge trail, but I had time and wanted to do a "loop"

Trail Route (loop) : Hamms Gulch Trail -> Lost Trail -> Razorback Ridge Trail -> Eagle Trail/Alpine Road
Alternate Route (Out and back) : Eagle Trail/Alpine Road -> Razorback Ridge Trail and back

Near the summit, you will reach the end of the Hamms Gulch trail. At this point you continue south (left) on the Lost Trail.

Since you are at the summit of the mountain, the Lost Trail mostly in the open with high brush on either side. There are some shady areas, but there is lots of open sunny path.

The Lost Trail is fairly narrow and is mostly a single track trail. It is very well maintained and provides a great experience on the top of the ridge.

At one point, you will pass a small water trough for horse. This water comes from a nearby spring in the mountain.

After passing the water trough, you will soon reach the intersection with the Razorback trail. Here you continue downhill to the left.

The razorback ridge trail is fairly enjoyable, and provides mostly shade all the way down to Alpine road. However, this trail is full of tight switchbacks. It should be called "switchback" ridge trail, but Razorback sounds better.

At some points the sides along the trail are fairly steep, but the trail is very well maintained. no bikes are allowed on this trail -- but it is popular with runners/joggers.

The Razorback Ridge Trail provides a couple view points along the way -- more than the Hamms Gulch trail provides.


Some guide books suggest this routing as one of the "Best Hikes in the Bay Area" -- but this seems odd, since you completely miss the fantastic views from Windy Hill back to Bay Area. I would highly recommend this hike, if you want to experience one of the REAL Best Hikes in the Bay Area.

The Razorback Ridge trail ends on a private drive near Alpine Road.


One the way back to the parking lot, you can either walk down Alpine Road (paved road) or take Eagle Trail side trails.

The Eagle Trails are ok and run along the Corte Madera Creek. They are single track trails.


The Eagle Trail will end at this road, you should turn right to get back to Alpine Road. If you turn left, you can connect back with the Hamms Gulch trail.

This was an enjoyable hike, but if you want to avoid switchbacks and have a really nice view you should take the Hamms Gulch - Windy Hill loop instead.

More photos of Windy Hill

Basics:
Area - Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District - Windy Hill in Portola Valley
Trails - Hamms Gulch Trail/Lost Trail/Razorback Trail/Eagle Trail (Trail Map)
Length - 8.2 miles roundtrip - Easy Hike (uphill, but easy)
Trail - Loop, dirt trail, limited stops along the way. Well marked and maintained, dry starting in May.
Dogs - Some (not allowed on Razorback Ridge Trail)
Bikes - Not allowed on this hike, allowed on other trails
View - Just a few
Getting There - Google Map Take 280 to Alpine Road Exit, head West toward Portola Valley. The parking lot is before Willowbrook Road.
Fee- None, free parking
Weather - Lots of Shade, can be wet at the top if very foggy during the summer.
Other Trails - there are other trails nearby including the Windy Hill Loop and Portola Ranch Trails

Portola Valley - Toyon Trail

This trail starts across Alpine Road from the Hamms Gulch Trail. It shares the same parking lot -- however it is a very different trail from those in the Windy Hill Open Space

The trailhead has a sign which describes the trails, usage, etc. There were no maps, so I suggest having a good book (Peninsula Trails by Jean Rusmore - Wilderness Press) or printing out the Map of Portola Valley Trails before starting your hike. There are numerous trails within the area, many connecting (and reconnecting) with other trails along the way -- so it can be a bit confusing without a map for first timers

My hike started up the Toyon Trail (single track trail), which is almost all in shade all the way to the intersection of the Lake Trail. The trail is for hiking only, there are several boards and logs that act as water diversions and prevents bikes from using the trail. Note- this trail complex is very popular with joggers/runners since its only for hiking and is shaded.


The Trail crosses a couple seasonal creeks. One of the crossings involves a narrow cut log with a rope to assist you across.


There are a few places where you break out of the shade and can view the gulch with Corte Madera creek running at the bottom. Early in the morning on a Winter/Spring day, you hear lots of water running and birds.




At the end of the Toyon Trail is two very small lakes. This one was covered with Algee, with a lone duck enjoying the day.

On the return trip, I opted to go via the Old Spanish Trail, Arroyo and Bay Laurel trails. This trails are on the east side of the Coal Mine Ridge and are much closer to the annoying McMansions of the Blue Oaks development. Within the Coal Mine Ridge area there a couple different benches and even swings for the kids.

The Old Spanish Trail is nice, but often has views of the over-sized houses nearby.


One highlight of the Arroyo trail is it opens to a nice meadow that is full of wildflowers during the spring.


Overall, not the most exciting trail. But this would be a good trail for kids or not serious hikers.

More Photos

Basics:
Area - Portola Valley
Trail - Toyon Trail (Town Trail Map)
Length - Approx. 4 miles roundtrip - Very Easy Hike (limited uphill, but very easy)
Trail - Up and Back-style or Loop -- depending if you take other trails. Dirt Trail that is well marked and maintained, can get muddy after rain storms.
Dogs - Not allowed
Bikes - Not allowed
View - Not really any
Getting There - Google Map Take 280 to Alpine Road Exit, head West toward Portola Valley. The parking lot is before Willowbrook Road.
Fee- None, free parking
Weather - Can be cool -- lots of shade, great for a sunny hot day.
Other Trails - there are other trails nearby in the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

Portola Valley - Hamms Gulch Trail

The Hamms Gulch trail is the less popular trail in the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. The Trailhead is near Alpine and Willowbrook road in Portola Valley. There is a good size parking lot -- which also serves the Coal Mine Ridge trailhead.

The trail starts up Alpine road past the Willowbrook intersection. The trail is open to hikers and horses -- no bikes. Dogs on a leash are allowed on the trails. On this day, Jake the dog came along for a nice long hike.


This trail is very well defined and well marked, typical for Open Space trails. The trail crosses Corte Madera Creek (no bridge), which was running fairly strong after a recent rain storm.


While the trail is wide enough for easy hiking, there was a ton of Poison Oak along the trail. From the creek crossing the trail goes uphill in a very gentle way. Its a very nice cool hike with lots of shade.

A couple switchbacks are along the trail, with very limited views. There were about four points where you have a view of Portola Valley and the Bay.

If you want views of the Bay Area, this is not the trail to take. For great views, take the Spring Ridge Trail from the Portola Road trailhead.




Basics:
Area - Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District - Windy Hill in Portola Valley
Trail - Hamms Gulch Trail (Trail Map)
Length - 6 miles roundtrip - Easy Hike (uphill, but easy)
Trail - Up and Back-style, dirt trail, limited stops along the way. Well marked and maintained, can get muddy after rain storms.
Dogs - Some
Bikes - None - not allowed
View - Just a few
Getting There - Google Map Take 280 to Alpine Road Exit, head West toward Portola Valley. The parking lot is before Willowbrook Road.
Fee- None, free parking
Weather - Can be cool -- lots of shade, great for a sunny hot day.
Other Trails - there are other trails nearby Eagle Trail, Coal Mine Ridge Trail, Meadow Trail