Black Mountain Hiking Section - Sam McDonald County Park Hike

Level: Moderate (2B) 7.5 mi, 1400 ft gain

Meet: Sam McDonald County Park in the main parking area, 13435 Pescadero Creek Rd., Loma Mar, CA 94021 (GPS: 37.296494, -122.265571). There is a $6 parking fee, pay using the Iron Ranger cash only, exact change.

Description: Come and enjoy this mostly shady hike with a few open areas through the former property of Emanuel B. "Sam" McDonald – a philanthropist and conservationist. This area is now a San Mateo County Park that bears his name. The park encompasses two separate natural environments. The northwesterly half is mostly a lush 2nd- growth redwood forest. The southeastern portion is primarily open ridge, grassy knolls and patchy brush areas. From this ridge area, vistas of the Butano and Skyline Ridges, and the Pacific Ocean can be seen.

We will hike approximately 7.5 miles with 1400 ft gain. Beginning on the Forest Trail, we climb the ridge and then cross Pescadero Creek Rd. continuing along the Ridge Fire Rd, Towne Fire Rd, and East Brook Trail to the Hiker's Hut. We may have lunch there or continue on the Heritage Grove trail to enjoy the redwoods. The Heritage Grove was scheduled to be logged in the mid-1970s. A local resident raised money to purchase the grove from the logging company, along with funds contributed by the county. Some of these trees are estimated to be around 1000 years old. After lunch we return to the parking lot via the Heritage Grove trail.
We will hike at a moderate pace, with stops for points of interest. Possible hazards include ticks, yellowjackets/wasps, poison oak, rattlesnakes, and fallen trees. Please be aware and look out for these as we are hiking. Adverse weather or trail conditions may shorten or cancel the hike. We practice "leave no trace" and carry out everything we carry in.
Cold drinks and light snacks after the hike (optional).

Please see the park website for more information about the park and its history: Sam McDonald Park | County of San Mateo, CA

This is a back country hike. Please complete your medical form and carry with you (hikers will be asked to confirm this with the leader)

Wear/bring: 1.5 - 2 L water, lunch and something to sit on, completed Medical Form, hiking boots, layered clothing, poles if you use them.

Signup Instructions:

1. Signup for this hike via Sierra Club site ONLY (Meetup site is for people to coordinate carpool amongst themselves only. Carpool transportation is at the sole risk of the participants.)
2. Please provide emergency contact name and phone number as well as your email and phone contact information when you signup.
3. Complete, print and bring with you the medical form for this outing. You will show me that the form has been completed and then you will stow it in your own first aid kit. In the event of a medical emergency, the form will be given to first responders, so include information that they should be aware of when providing you with emergency medical treatment.

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Join our email list: If you would like to be on our email list to receive our hike announcement and cancellation notice, please sign up here.

Sierra Club guide for our hike outings: Neither vaccinations nor masks are required. But if you are experiencing any COVID symptoms, are sick, or have recently tested positive for COVID do not hike with us on this day. Every participant is responsible for reporting these conditions to the leader if symptoms develop after the hike. We will then notify the other participants.

Cancellation Policy: Steady rain cancels