Panoramic Peaks & Reservoir: Stevens Creek & Fremont Older

➤ Hike Description: Join the Sierra Club Pathfinders on a loop route of 7.6 miles, 1,280’ of elevation gain along the eastern shore of Stevens Creek Reservoir and the highest peaks of Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. A mix of single track and fire roads with panoramic views of San Francisco Bay and surrounding mountains.

The park's name honors Elijah Stephens, a South Carolina-born blacksmith and trapper who settled along the creek in 1848 after leading the first wagon train across the Sierra Nevada in 1844. This pioneering history, combined with the park's expansion to over 1,000 acres, its mid-1930s dam and reservoir, and remnants of the 1870s Jesuit Villa Maria orchard and retreat, highlight its role as both a natural refuge and a tangible link to the area's early past.

We'll also explore Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, a 739-acre Midpen property adjacent to Stevens Creek County Park. The preserve is named for Fremont Older, an influential San Francisco newspaper editor and muckraker who fought corruption after the 1906 earthquake.

➤ Post-Hike Celebration: After the trek, please join us for a festive potluck gathering at the picnic area adjacent to the parking lot. Bring a dish to share, trade trail stories, and enjoy some post-hike delicacies and Joan’s famous pizza with the group.

➤ Route: From Villa Maria Picnic Area parking lot — Access Road 0.3 —Tony Look/Stevens Creek Trail 0.4 — Coyote Ridge Trail 2.0 — Vista Loop Trail 0.2 — Lookout Trail 0.7 — Trail to Madrone Picnic Area parking lot (lunch spot) 0.1 — Tony Look Trail 2.2 — Loop Trail 0.6 — Tony Look/Stevens Creek Trail 0.8 — Access Road 0.3 to parking lot.

A route map with elevation profile is provided in the photos.

You can view and download the route map on:
GAIA or AllTrails

Free park map at: Stevens Creek County Parks / Avenza (Stevens Creek / Open Space Fremont Older / Avenza (Fremont Older)

➤ Directions/Parking: We meet at the Villa Maria Picnic Area in Stevens Creek County Park. A parking fee of $6.00 payable by credit card (Mastercard/Visa) is required at the Chestnut parking area kiosk. Then proceed 0.2 miles farther to the Villa Maria parking lot. These locations are shown on the insert of the Stevens Creek Map.

GPS: 37.304284, -122.072620

Google Maps — Apple Maps — Waze

➤ Restrooms: Restrooms and potable water are available at the trailhead and lunch location.

➤ Exposure: 40% shaded under mixed oak forest and 60% exposed through rolling hills. Weather forecast at WillyWeather.

➤ Cell Phone Coverage: Cell phone coverage is spotty in areas, but serviceable in most locations.

➤ Carpools: Requesting a carpool in the comments is okay. Replies to the initial request are to be through private message to the sender only.

➤ Attendance Requirements: This is a Sierra Club backcountry outing requiring a completed paper Outings Medical Form and signing the Sierra Club’s Participation Agreement. Download Medical Form Here

➤ Park websites: Stevens Creek County Park / Fremont Older Open Space Preserve

➤ Bring: The required completed Sierra Club Medical form, lunch, water, a sit-upon for lunch, and poles if you use them, dish for potluck if you plan to stay for pizza and delicacies.

➤ Safety: We will hold a safety meeting prior to the hike. You hike at your own risk and are responsible for your own actions. The nearest Emergency Services are Cal Fire Stevens Creek Station, 1.9 miles south of the parking lot on Stevens Canyon Road. In an emergency, call 911.

➤ 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.

These hikes are sponsored by the Sierra Club's Loma Prieta Chapter. Club membership is not required to join our hikes. If you are not a member and wish to join the Sierra Club, click here to join. For a list of all hikes offered by Sierra Club's Loma Prieta Chapter, please visit the online calendar.