Category Archives: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

Coal Creek Open Space Preserve

This hike was my first visit to Coal Creek Open Space Preserve, a 500-acre preserve along Skyline Blvd (CA-35) just northwest of Page Mill Rd in the southeast corner of San Mateo County.  The preserve is just across Skyline Blvd … Continue reading

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Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP – in search of trilliums

A recent social media post prompted this visit to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, one of my favorite preserves on the spine of the peninsula along Skyline Blvd (CA-35).  The 4700-acre preserve is part of the Midpeninsula Regional Open … Continue reading

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Plants on Mt Umunhum along the Bay Area Ridge Trail

This is a second post about a hike on the new Bay Area Ridge Trail segment on Mt Umunhum, from the Woods Trail to the summit via Barlow Rd and the new Mt Umunhum Trail.  The Mt Umunhum Trail opened … Continue reading

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Woods Trail to Mt Umunhum summit parking via Barlow Rd and Mt Umunhum Trail

Ever since the Mt Umunhum summit area in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve opened to the public in September 2017 I have been looking for a good opportunity to visit – well, not just visit, but hike the newly-dedicated segment … Continue reading

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Early spring wildflowers at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve

I “discovered” Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve four years ago, and I have now visited each year during the spring or early spring.  Of course, the timing and abundance of wildflowers depend on several factors, including the timing and abundance … Continue reading

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La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve: Harrington Creek Trail

It’s always a special treat to hike a brand new trail shortly after it has been opened to the public – sometimes I’ve hiked the trail the same day, and sometimes within a week or two.  On this occasion, I … Continue reading

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Thornewood Open Space Preserve – spring wildflowers

Thornewood Open Space Preserve is a small preserve in the hills along CA-84 between I-280 and Skyline Blvd in San Mateo County.  There is basically just one trail, which leads from the parking area to the interior of the preserve.  … Continue reading

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Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP – Irish Ridge Trail

About a year ago I found a picture posted online showing a beautiful view of the Pacific coastline along San Mateo County, viewed from the Irish Ridge Trail. I immediately resolved to hike there on a day that would be … Continue reading

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Ridge Trail Cruz 27-mile hike

This was quite literally an all-day hike, mostly on a long contiguous section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail on the San Francisco Peninsula. It was a supported fund-raiser hike for the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, whose mission is … Continue reading

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Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve: Dusky-footed Woodrat Trail Loop

At just 366 acres, Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve is one of the smaller open spaces in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. It is located in the hills above San Carlos and Redwood City and provides a wooded retreat … Continue reading

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