Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve

For the past year, I've been wanting to find female friends to do outdoor activities with.  So I was excited to go hiking with 2 co-workers on a Sat in Sep. (coincidence to be Chinese Mid Autumn Fest). The weather forecasted 20% rain, so I calculated that as 80% probability of no rain.  But my math was wrong, it rained. But the good news was that we had the entire area to ourselves, we did not see anyone else crazy enough to hike in the mist, drizzle, rain. We arrived at the empty free parking lot at 10am.  It took us 45 min to walk 2 loops of Horseshoe Lake loop, ~3 miles. It was a good time to chill with friends, share snacks, get our hiking shoes muddy, and enjoy the fresh air in the beautiful outdoors.

This is a really scenic place. The only thing that disturbs the peace sometimes are loud motorcycles screaming along Skyline. A number of the trails in this park are not too far from this road.

The main parking lot has quite a bit of parking, I would guess enough for about 30 cars. As expected there is a big map on the trailhead and maps you can take with you (and return).

We did a short hike today, taking Sunny Jim Trail out from the Skyline Ridge parking lot to Alpine Pond and then back on the Ipiwa trail (about 3 miles total). We were on the hunt for wildflowers and were mostly successful, but it looks like there is a lot more blooming to happen here in the next few weeks.

I love hiking at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. The park is located about 20-25 minutes from Saratoga up several winding roads.

The trails are pretty moderate. The park has two lakes- Alpine Pond and Horseshoe Lake. Horseshoe Lake is pretty close to the main parking lot off Highway 35, while Alpine Lake is a few miles into the park. The park also has some nice overlooks off the Ipiwa Trail, which starts at the parks main trailhead. The park has a variety of both sunny and covered sections.

Skyline Ridge also connects to two more parks- Long Ridge and Russian Ridge OSP for those looking for an extra long trail run or hike.

The main parking lot is located off Highway 35 (Skyline Blvd). This parking lot has plenty of parking and bathrooms. If you come early enough, there should be no problems finding parking. Happy trails!

Surprised I never review this place as it's an amazing hiking spot. There are some treacherous paths, but overall its a fun one.

This is a perfect spot for a long walk while taking in the fresh air and getting your vitamin D especially now with COVID.

Again, a pretty nice spot overall.

Beware - very windy road to get to. I get car sick so I made sure to eat before driving. Lots of cyclists on the windy roads so be careful. I got there at noon on Sunday and got the last available parking spot. Clearly marked trails. The Horseshoe Lake and Alpine Lake were ok. Very muddy. A few ducks. Lots of groups of kids and no masks. Bring a warm parka! I never get cold and I was shivering.

Last hike park 4/4 - we did Russian Ridge, Coal Creek, Monte Bello, and last Skyline Ridge.

This park is nice because it's got a view of the Horseshoe Lake - it was blue is all I remember, I didn't take a pic then when I asked my friend he said we weren't going there or seeing it again I was so bummed. So if you see something nice just take the damn picture!!!

There was a nice overlook that I took pictures at.

They have a nice Nature Center that inside the volunteer told me about the live garter snake inside the tank. I was rushing to get there since it was a bit after 4pm, lucky for us it was open until 5pm! It's a seasonal Nature Center so check their website for hrs. Nice pond you can look at right outside their doors.

Worth a visit and good for kids. Parking is across the street at Russian Ridge. You walk under a tunnel that's cool!

Skyline Ridge is one of those parks that has played two different roles in my adult life. Firstly as an outdoor destination with the kids (when they were very young). That's because it featured some short loop hikes, and these circled picturesque lakes (with the bonus of fish, bird and frog watching). And it was relatively easy to get to.

It's second role started a several years ago, when I started to do much longer hikes through this area. I was amazed at the trails I had missed in this park, and discovered some wonderful spots to linger.

As the name suggests, Skyline Ridge covers part of the upper reaches of the Santa Cruz range. But it's not the only one - There are four other parks next door: Russian Ridge OSP, Monte Bello OSP, Los Trancos OSP, and Coal Creek OSP.. In fact it is possible to visit all five parks in one, 9-mile loop hike, as I did recently with a group. (A much longer loop - about 16 mi - could be made if nearby Long Ridge OSP were added to the mix)

And since Skyline Ridge is not on most hiking top ten lists, it's not a bad place to start a big loop hike. The main parking lot holds about 30 cars and is almost never full, even on beautiful days.

But for avid hikers, there's a catch. There really aren't any good, long loop hikes contained solely within the park. Sure, there are some longer trails that drop down into canyons (Lambert Creek Trail; Old Page Mill Trail) but these terminate at dead-ends. So the only choice is a there-and back hike. Other trails, like the Ipiwa trail, connect the southern section to the northern section of the park, but alternate return trails (e.g. Sunny Jim) are scrappy, eroded, steep or downright ugly. So really, the only options for good, long loop hikes must include other nearby parks.

On the plus side, Skyline Ridge is one of the only parks in the Santa Cruz range with lakes - not just one, but two. Alpine Pond is on the northern side of the park and is most easily accessed from the parking lot at Russian Ridge OSP. A short trail circumnavigates the pond and there's an excellent nature center with a dock. Horseshoe Lake is on the southern end of the park and is well-named for it's shape. A hike around this lake involves a bit more climbing, but those above the age of 5 or so should have no problem. And the lake (and views) are a little more impressive.

There is one other shining jewel in this park that I discovered only a few years ago - the Gene Sheehan Overlook on the Ipiwa trail has become one of my favorite spots in the Santa Cruz range. It's at a point where the trail circumvents a rocky knob, and the steep drop-off reveals gorgeous views to the southwest. Two miles away (and 1700 ft below) is the secluded, old-growth forest of Peter's Creek. The hills of Pescadero Creek County Park rise beyond that; and further beyond lie the ridges of Butano. On non-foggy days, the ocean is visible through a couple of gaps in the distant peaks. I don't know what it is about this spot. Maybe it's the consistent, updraft breeze from the redwood valleys below; or maybe it's the ever-present hawks circling for their lunch. But I've never spent less than 15 minutes here drinking in the scenery.

Here are a few short hike suggestions within Skyline Ridge:
-- Horsehoe Lake loop (1.4 mi): From the Skyline main parking lot, follow signs to the Horseshoe Loop trail, which will circle the lake and eventually return you to where you started
-- Alpine Pond mini-loop (0.7 mi) From the main parking lot at Russian Ridge OSP, enter Skyline ridge park through the under-road tunnel. Take the loop hike around the pond and visit the nature center on the way
-- Lake-to-lake loop (4.3 mi). Starting at Skyline Ridge parking, visit the Horseshoe Lake per the hike above, but shortly after crossing the dam, head steeply uphill on the Sunny Jim Trail until you reach the Ipiwa Trail. Take the Ipiwa trail all the way to end, via beautiful vistas, where you will eventually encounter Alpine Pond and the nature center. Re-trace your steps, but on the return trip take the Ipiwa trail all the way back to parking.

Rating this park is tough. Skyline Ridge OSP doesn't really offer enough for those who want to hike for an entire afternoon and see a wide variety of terrain. In that respect, it doesn't hold a candle to the likes of Purisima, Butano or Portola Redwoods. Grading on a "hiking curve" it really only garners an average rating. But some of its offerings are unique among the Skyline Rd. parks, so I'll add one more star.

Hiking Spot Checklist:
-- Parking: Yes; medium dirt lot that is rarely full; overflow parking also available
-- Bathrooms: Pit toilets at main parking; pit toilets at Russian Ridge when visiting Alpine pond
-- Potable water provided: Yes, but only at nature center next to Alpine Pond
-- Maps provided: Yes
-- Highlights: Two lakes; a gorgeous overlook; kid-friendly hikes

My Peninsula Hike Collection is here: (https://www.yelp.com/collection/qBI6U6Lz9LJQjnGjFW6ubg)

This is a neat location. I've come here for stargazing, hiking and cycling.

The parking lot is giant - which was perfect for having a large group to gather for stargazing. (Note - park is not opening at night normally. We got special permits. Please don't stay at night without permits!)

Hiking is nice. Lots of trails that vary in hiking level. You can do a short hike or make it longer and continue to south to long ridge or north to russian ridge.

Cycling also nice here. Bikes allowed. Single track trails and fire roads.

Good place to bring a group :)

I'm really surprised I haven't reviewed this picturesque open space preserve. I remember going here years ago on a regular weekend basis.

The rain didn't stop me from biking the trails and getting dirty. I wasn't the only one on the trails today, many mountain bikers and cyclists were out there, so don't call me crazy. Despite the rain, the trails were identifiable. Montebello and Saratoga Gap are my favorites: single track and steep.

It's definitely a great place to hike during the spring/summer time. Lots of trees which means lots of shade. It's grazed with lots of grass, flowers, and little squirrels etc.

It's refreshing to visit in any weather.

Really fun, theres a loop trail called "horseshoe" and that's a short one for views and scenery. The other trails take you deeper into the woods and that's just all you see. Not much after that.