Sweeney Ridge 7.4 Miles

Sweeney Ridge 7.4 miles with scenic ridge and exceptional views.

Let's start at Sweeney Ridge Trail Head. HERE (http://sepwww.stanford.edu/~morgan/adventures/misc/sweeney-large-aerial.gif)

3790 Sneath Lane
San Bruno, CA 94044

Getting there: Click HERE for Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=&daddr=3790+Sneath+Ln,+San+Bruno,+CA+94066&hl=en&geocode=CfLy0w5RPhLzFfoGPgIdd3-z-CnZGvgMG3qPgDHXDkCw7JrW2w&mra=ls&sll=37.623477,-122.451382&sspn=0.020122,0.031543&ie=UTF8&z=15)
From Interstate 280 in San Mateo County, exit Sneath Lane (exit 43b). Drive west about 2 miles to the trailhead at the end of the road.

GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude 37°37'9.54"N
Longitude 122°27'14.75"W

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Distance: This 7.4 miles

Hiking time: 3 1/2 hours.

Elevations: 600-800 feet gain.

Difficulty: Moderate

Make sure bring enough water, snacks/Lunch.

Trail head elevation is around 655 feet.

Trails mapped: Click HERE (http://www.everytrail.com/guide/sweeney-ridge-golden-gate-np-conservancy/map)

We will start the hike at point #1 then 6,7,3 then trace back.

The highest elevation of the hike is around 1213 feet.

Sneath Lane Trail climbs steadily, with one short steep section. Sweeney Ridge Trail is nearly level.

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For the featured hike, start from the gate at the end of Sneath Lane. After a short steep stretch, the trail levels out a bit. Look to the east for a view of San Bruno Mountain and San Francisco Airport.

At 1.66 miles, Sneath Lane Trail crests and meets Sweeney Ridge Trail at a signed junction. There's a rustic bench with a great view of the ocean, Pacifica, and Montara Mountain. A bit later, around Easter, goldenfields appear. Turn left and then look for a signed path that veers to the left. Walk a few feet on this path to the Discovery Site.

A rock monument marks the momentous revelation of San Francisco Bay (guess it wasn't foggy that day!). Perhaps of more interest to the hiker is the other monument, with a neat mountain finder. Etched into the rock are the major mountains of the bay area, and they are oriented so as you look at each mountain etching you stand facing the actual location of that mountain. If it's clear you can see some of them, but on foggy or hazy days you'll be out of luck. (If you're ready to turn back now, retrace your steps to the Sneath Lane Trail and descend to the trailhead.) Return to Sweeney Ridge Trail, and continue hiking south.

The wide, multi-use trail keeps a mostly level grade. Baquiano Trail departs on the right at 1.76 miles. Remain on Sweeney Ridge Trail. Coyote brush, golden yarrow, and California coffeeberry are common, and you may also see ceanothus (most conspicuous in early spring), Oregon grape, twinberry, sagebrush, and even huckleberry.

In spring, look for iris, mission bells, blue-eyed grass, goldenfields, poppies, sunflowers, tidytips, and wallflower. At 2.2 miles, an unmarked path heads away from the trail on the right. Stay on Sweeney Ridge Trail. At 2.73 miles, the side path rejoins the trail, and Portola Gate is visible.

At 2.83 miles you'll reach the turn around point, and fenced border with water district lands. Retrace your steps back to the trailhead.

Total distance: 7.4 miles

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Responsibility:

Please be aware that we expect you to take responsibility for your safety while we are out on the trails. This means being prepared with adequate hiking gear and making sure the difficulty level of the event IS NOT beyond the limits of your health & conditioning. We understand that your "Yes" RSVP to this event means you accept this.

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