Monte Bello OSP - Black Mountain Loop - 7 miles

CARPOOL: Please see below for carpool link and details.

Level: Moderate

Total Distance: 7 mi, loop

Meet Time: 2 pm. We will start the hike about 2:15 pm.

Hiking Time: 3-3.5 hours

Elevation Change: 1350 feet. Elevation changes between 1700-2800 ft.

What to Bring: food, 1.5-2L water, layered clothing.

Parking fee: None

Official Trail Use: Dogs are not allowed on the trails we are using

Weather: Sunny, with a high of 73 F.

Shade: About 50-55% is shaded, so prepare accordingly. The first half is shaded, the second half not so much.

Facilities: Restrooms are located at the parking lot. There are also restrooms near the Black Mountain, about 2/3rds into the hike.

Weather

The weather during the time of the hike looks good. It will be sunny with temps in the lower 70s. You can follow detailed weather at
https://www.wunderground.com/hourly/us/ca/los-altos-hills/date/2024-9-14

Recommended Map

Official Park map -

https://www.openspace.org/sites/default/files/map_MB.pdf

Getting There:

Note that the address above is approximate.You can use the following GPS co-ordinates 37°19'32.64"N 122°10'44.55"W ( 37.325958, -122.178590 ), for the exact location.

The entrance to the parking lot is on Page Mill Road, 1.5 miles east of the intersection from Skyline Blvd (or 7 miles from 280).

You can use the following link for Google Map directions -

[https://www.google.com/maps/place/37°19'32.6N+122°10'44.6W](https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B019'32.6N+122%C2%B010'44.6W)

Parking:

The parking lot has enough space for 45 cars. If needed, additional parking is available at the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve parking area, located directly across Page Mill Road.

Carpooling: We will use this link for carpooling:

https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/mspjzu

Please sign up there.

CARPOOLING MANNERS:

Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone.

Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above.

Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.

HIKE DESCRIPTION

At this time of the year Monte Bello is a good hike to end around sunset. But that will be bit late for most people (however late we may sleep), so we shall do it mid to late afternoon.

Well, what to expect - meadows, views, some trees and a stream. And as always the assorted flora and fauna. You get a good view of the Peninsula from Black Mountain, where we will take our mid-hike break and ponder life, liberty and pursuit of happiness ...

The hike will start at the Parking Lot. We will do the following loop -

Parking Lot -> White Oak Tr -> Skid Road Tr -> Stevens Creek Nature Tr -> Canyon Tr -> Indian Creek Tr -> Monte Bello Rd to Black Mountain -> Monte Bello Road back to Old Ranch Tr -> Old Ranch Tr -> Canyon Tr -> Steven Creek Tr -> Parking Lot.

See here for a topographical map of the hike, with elevation profile -

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/monte-bello-preserve-loop-trail

Please note that we will be doing the hike in the other direction, ie counter clock-wise.

The hike starts at 2200 ft and we will go down to 1700 ft and then up to 2800 ft at Black Mountain. Then we will come down back to 2200 ft. Depending on your level, I would rate the hike easy to moderate. So I have put moderate minus.

We will take a 10-15 minute break at Black Mountain. As noted, there are also restrooms nearby, which is generally a useful thing.

As I put, the hike is mostly open in the second half, so plan accordingly. As always bring enough water (1.5-2 L) and be well hydrated.

We should be back at the parking lot about 5:30 pm, at which time you can resume your regularly scheduled life. Questions, comments, random musings, feel free to message me.

TRAIL HIKING DIRECTIONS

Parking Lot -> White Oak Tr -> Skid Road Tr -> Stevens Creek Nature Tr -> Canyon Tr -> Indian Creek Tr -> Monte Bello Rd to Black Mountain -> Monte Bello Road back to Old Ranch Tr -> Old Ranch Tr -> Canyon Tr -> Steven Creek Tr -> Parking Lot.

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