Coal Creek Trail

Trail Route: Coal Creek trail from Coal Creek Parkways trailhead to Red Town trailhead

Trail Report:

The trailhead of this hike is located right off Coal Creek Parkway between 405 and Newcastle. Its a small dirt parking lot which fits about 6-7 cars.


There was alot of winter damage in the Coal Creek Park, you can see lots of knocked over trees and erosion around the trail. The hike starts out very close to Coal Creek. After leaving the trail head you can hear the parkway for a while, but soon it fades away as you get deeper into the park.

The trail is very well packed and seems well traveled over the years. The first half mile is very enjoyable and is mostly flat - making for a nice creekside adventure.


Last I visited, the lower bridge crossing Coal Creek was still not passable. There is a notice from Jan 2008 still saying they are awaiting funding and tests before its replaced.

After the bridge the trail becomes very forest-like, and less creekside. The area is full of deer, birds and small forest animals. The trail becomes fairly narrow at this point.


The primrose trail is closed and is not accessible as an alternate trail from the Coal Creek trail.

Past the Primrose trail, the route follows and old railroad road. On the way you pass an old engine turnaround point and see some of the railroads remains in the creek to the left.

The trail route leads back to the creek and passes North Fork Falls which still running strong.

As you reach the top of the trail, is easy to miss the small grove area which has a very nice display with information on the area's history and the coal mining railroad that used to occupy the trail area. As you go up the trail, make sure to stay RIGHT and cross the creek to reach this grove area.

There is also a very cool mine shaft as you continue to the end of the trail.

The trail continues up to a meadow area that is across the street from the Red Town Trailhead which serves Cougar Mountain and its great trail system.


To return to the Coal Creek Parkway trailhead, simply turn around and re-trace your route back down. The elevation change is only 460 feet, and there are no steep hills. Its a very nice creekside hike for anyone. Once the work is complete on the bridge it will be a great hike again.

Basics:
Area - Coal Creek Park (Near Bellevue, Washington)
Trails - Coal Creek Trail (N1), Cougar Mountain Regional Trail map
Elevation - Gain of 460 feet - start at 180 ft to top of 640 ft
Length - 6 miles out and back - 2 hours easy hike
Trail - Trail varies from single track to gravel roads. A couple good stops along the way. Well marked and maintained.
Bikes - Not allowed on this hike
View - no true views, but lots to look at -- waterfall, railroad history, coal mines
Getting There - Take I-90 to Coal Creek Parkway - head east. The trailhead is on the east side of the road before you reach Newcastle.
Fee- None, free parking
Other Trails - Only real connecting trail on this hike is closed. This hike does lead to the Cougar Mountain trails system.

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

Windy Hill - Spring Ridge Trail

Windy Hill - Spring Ridge Trail (part of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District)

This popular hike starts at the Parking Lot off Portola Road in Portola Valley. The lot was empty when I arrived at 8am, but was PACKED FULL when I returned at 10:30am. My suggestion is to do this hike early in the morning, during the Spring/Summer the area can get a bit warm, but the mornings are usually cool and clear. The area is open at Dawn and closes after Sunset.

This is the entrance to the Betsy Crowder Trail which is a nice shortcut to the main Spring Ridge Trail. This trail is only open to Hikers and Horses (seasonal only)...so its a bit more private than the main trail.


The trail is very well traveled and is currently in great condition. You will pass Sausal Pond on the left which is full of birds, ducks and frogs. The Trail is a ways from the Pond, but you can still hear all the activity.

The Betsy Crowder trail will meet up with the Spring Ridge Trail and you will continue up Windy Hill to the summit on this very WIDE trail. The Spring Ridge Trail is open to Bikes and Horses and can get very "busy" during peak times. The trail starts out with a easy incline but at about half way you will notice the trail gets steep. Even Dogs have a tough time making it up at this point when its too hot.

The Views from this trail are great, you can see San Francisco, Mt. Diablo, San Jose, as well as the area towns of Portola Valley and Woodside.


At mid-point you might thing about turning back, since the trail gets quite steep -- even though its very wide and easy to walk on. But keep going up! You will pass through a zig-zag part and before you know it you will be at one of the Skyline Entrances.

At this point, continue up the Anniversary Trail up to the true Summit (just 0.2 miles) . Here you get a 360 view of the Bay Area and can see the Pacific Ocean on a clear day.

The way back down is great with even more views and a very EASY walk down. There are a lot of dogs on this trail and unfortunately some dog owners are not cleaning up after their pets. But that was my only complaint. This is a great trail that is very well maintained and should be a "must do" hike if you live in the Bay Area.

My route: Start on Parking Lot off Portola Road (NOT off Hwy 35). Take the Betsy Crowder Trail to the Spring Ridge Trail then on to Anniversary Trail to the Summit.

More Photos


Basics:
Area - Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District - Windy Hill in Portola Valley
Trail - Betsy Crowder Trail/Spring Ridge/Anniversary Trail (Trail Map)
Length - 5.2 miles roundtrip - Moderate Hike (some steep parts)
Trail - Up and Back-style, dirt trail/dirt road, some stops along the way. Very well marked and maintained. No roads to cross.
Dogs - Yes - Lots!
Bikes - Yes, on most main trails
View - Tons, bring a camera
Getting There - Google Map Take 280 to Alpine Road Exit, head West toward Portola Valley. Turn Right on Portola Road (first stop sign). The Parking Lot has a sign and will be on the Left after the Sequoias Retirement Community.
Fee- None, free parking
Weather - If you can see Fog, bring a jacket -- otherwise you might want to pack a sweater for cool mornings. I found it really only "windy" at the Summit.
Other Trails - there are other trails within this park. Trail maps and info available at the Parking Lot.

San Bruno Mountain - Summit Loop Trail

This is a great hike for a very CLEAR day in the Bay Area. There are multiple places to take great photos, but again its best when its a very clear day. From the summit loop trail you can see San Francisco, Colma, and the Pacific Ocean.


The trail leads from the parking lot straight up the mountain to the Radio/TV Towers. Its a -very- single file dirt trail, no dogs or bikes allowed.

A popular trail book says to take start at the Trailhead at the Parking lot...but I would say its a much better "payoff" to start the trail from the service road (basically the reverse route of the normal way).

This way you will capture the BEST views on your way back and while you are headed downhill -- so you have view all the way down, rather than having to turn around each time to enjoy the view.

All in all, it was a nice morning hike that I would do again on a very clear day.

More Photos


Basics:
Area - San Bruno Mountain State and County Park
Trail - Summit Loop Trail (Trail Map)
Length - 3.13 miles - Moderate Hike, 2 hours with stops
Trail - Loop-style, Single File dirt trail, some stops along the way. Crosses two roads at the top, no traffic. Somewhat well marked.
Dogs - No
Bikes - No (I did see one, but its clearly NOT a bike trail)
View - Plenty, bring a camera
Getting There - Google MAP Note - The Radio Road turnoff on Guadalupe Canyon Parkway is where the entrance is located. Its well marked. Get to the Trailhead by turning RIGHT after passing the Gatehouse, the road will go back under the Parkway.
Fee- YES, currently it was $5
Weather - It can get windy so bring a jacket, plus if its Foggy it will be very cool.
Other Trails - there are other trails within this park


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