Skyline South Loop

This course is one of our mainstays. It offers a diversity of coastal mountain ecosystems, great views of the valley to the east and the coast to the west, and some really abusive hills.

We start from the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve and run through various Open Space Preserves and County Parks. The base distance is a LONG 15 miles with options around 25 miles. We usually run with two groups: one going 15 and the other going 20 - 25 miles. The 15 mile version usually takes people about as long as their normal road marathon time. Longer versions take, well, way longer!

General course description:

Begin in Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve and run up to the Bay Area Ridge Trail (BART). Follow BART south through Skyline and Long Ridge Open Space Preserves. Cross Highway 35 (Skyline Blvd) at a point about 1.4 miles north of Saratoga Gap and enter Upper Stevens Creek County Park. Run down into Stevens Creek Canyon to the Canyon Trail, then run upstream to the junction of Indian Creek Trail. From here, the 15 mile loop goes west directly to a return to Skyline where we parked. The longer version takes Indian Creek Trail up to Black Mountain, then down into Monte Bello, north through Coal Creek, west into Russian Ridge, then south on BART back to Skyline.

Details:

  • Meeting Place: Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (north parking lot)
  • Distances: 15, 18, 20, 25... (get the picture?)
  • Difficulty: Deceptively hard. This course will get your attention!
  • Water Stops: One is possible. See below.

Special Features:

  • At least 4 parks; maybe 6 if you go long!
  • Great views and big hills.
  • Opportunity to whip up on mountain bikers going uphill.
  • Fatigue unlike you'd expect for a run of this distance.

Directions to start:

Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve is on Highway 35 (Skyline Blvd) about 5 miles north of Highway 9 or about 1 mile south of Page Mill Road. Parking lot is on the west side of the road. Maps and other information are available at the following web site:

http://www.openspace.org/SKYLINE.html

*You can create your own water stop by placing refill water or supplies at the place where the trail crosses Highway 35. This spot is about 1.4 miles north of Saratoga Gap on Highway 35 (intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 35).

Detailed Course Descriptions:

Base 15 Mile Version:

  • Begin at north parking lot of Skyline Ridge OSP.
  • Up and south on singletrack for 0.5 miles to BART.
  • Return right and run down to south parking lot on fire road.
  • Hook back right and go South and east around Horseshoe lake.
  • Take right onto singletrack and go up and south on BART.
  • Continue south on BART to Long Ridge OSP.
  • Go right and up Peter's Creek Trail to Long Ridge Road.
  • Go Left (south) on Long Ridge Road then veer right on BART.
  • Stay on BART singletrack even when shorter, easier options avail themselves.
  • Cross Highway 35 and continue south on BART.
  • At about 0.3 miles from road crossing, turn left on road.
  • Take immediate left on faint singletrack.
  • Follow this alternate trail to Charcoal Road.
  • Go left on Charcoal Road for about 100 yards.
  • Turn left on singletrack Table Mountain Trail.
  • Continue down Table Mountain Trail to Stevens Creek.
  • Cross creek and go to Canyon Trail.
  • Go Left (northwest) on Canyon Trail to junction with Indian Creek Trail.
  • (Longer options differ from here.)
  • Continue left on Canyon trail for another 0.2 miles.
  • Turn left on Skid Road and go 1.3 miles back to Skyline parking lot.
  • Cross road, return to car, give thanks you're done.

Extended Versions:

  • From junction of Canyon Trail and Indian Creek Trail:
  • Go up and east on Indian Creek Trail to Black Mountain Trail Camp.
  • Take Old Ranch Trail northwest to Bella Vista Trail.
  • Go left and down Bella Vista trail to Canyon Trail.
  • Take right on Canyon Trail and go to Stevens Creek Nature Trail.
  • Follow Stevens Creek Nature Trail to Skid Road.
  • Go right on Skid Road to White Oak Trail and go right (northwest).
  • Take left at next trail junction and go to Page Mill Road.
  • Cross Page Mill Road and enter Coal Creek OSP.
  • Keep bearing left and northwest until you get to driveway.
  • Go up driveway to Highway 35; cross road into Russian Ridge OSP.
  • Take BART south through Russian Ridge and back to Skyline Ridge.
  • Follow BART back to where you started.
  • Return to your car.
  • Try to get in car.
  • Collapse beside your car.
  • Have a conversation with God for a while.
  • Thank him for seeing you through this.
  • Ask why he let you do it.
  • Pray that you never do it again!