Black Mountain Hiking Section - Skyline Ridge and Stevens Creek Nature Trail

Level: Moderate (2B) Approximately 8 - 8.5 mi,1300 ft gain

Leader: Diana Hall dianahall39@yahoo.com

Description: We will meet in the main Skyline Ridge Preserve Parking Lot, about a mile south of the intersection of Skyline Blvd. and Page Mill Rd (37.3126409358021, -122.17650195754675). From there, we will cross Skyline to Monte Bello Open Space Preserve to the Stevens Creek Nature trail loop. We return up Skid Road trail back to Skyline and continue to Alpine pond via the Ipiwa trail. These lands were originally inhabited by the Ohlone and we pass by a grinding rock that they used. After lunch we'll head back over the Sunny Jim trail to Horseshoe Pond. The route is a mix of exposed and shaded areas.

We will hike at a moderate pace with a few stops to enjoy the surroundings. Route may be altered due to trail or weather conditions.

Vault toilets available in the Skyline parking lots and near Alpine Pond.

Possible hazards include ticks, yellowjackets/wasps, poison oak, rattlesnakes, uneven terrain, and bicycles on some of the trails.

Please see the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space web site for more complete information on the preserves where we will be hiking and on the many other preserves they operate: https://www.openspace.org/

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).

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: rain; excessive heat; poor air quality