Skyline to Russian Ridge OSP: 6.6 Mi Moderate Hike

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CARPOOL REQUEST COMMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED DUE TO THE LARGE SIZE OF THE GROUP. Please read below how to carpool.

Level: Moderate

Total Distance: 6.6 mile, loop

Hiking Time: 3.5 hours

Elevation Change: 509 feet.

Parking fee: Free.

Official Trail Use: No dogs.

Shade: Don't forget your sunhat for your own personal shade. Shade does not matter if you have your sunhat. I never leave home without it.

Facilities None

Please read our tutorial for hiking in the sun:
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/tutorials/how-to-hike-in-the-sun/

PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO GO BEFORE YOU ARRIVE SO WE CAN START ON TIME.

MROSD Permit: 22029

Permit limit is 49 people. Therefore, please be considerate and update your RSVPs at least 24 hours before the event start time, to give someone else a reasonable amount of time to make it. I have limited the RSVPs to 90, as I expect some individuals not to show up.

Recommended Map:

http://www.openspace.org/sites/default/files/pr_monte_bello.pdf

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

• Please use the Google Maps link above to familiarize yourself with the trip and explore various route options from your home. Zoom in all the way.

• The GPS locations below and the map link above are accurate enough to find us by looking around with your eyes when you get there.

(Most Cars) GPS Degrees Minutes Seconds Format:

37°18'36.1"N 122°10'19.3"W

(Google Maps) GPS Degrees Decimal Format:

37.310037, -122.172036

Nearest street address:

22200 Skyline Blvd, Los Gatos, CA 95033

DO NOT GO TO 22200 SKYLINE, LA HONDA, CA.

The Google Waze app will route around "restricted access" roads, unlike the Google Maps app, using the same map data as Google Maps. Therefore, Waze is recommended over the Google Maps app for your phone.

If you have the Waze app installed on your phone, click this URL:

http://waze.to/?ll=37.310037,-122.172036&navigate=yes

• As always, it is good practice to confirm the night before that any app you use takes you to where you expect by comparing the destination with what is posted above on your PC/Mac.

• Most street addresses provided away from civilization are approximate, and may be up to a couple of miles from the hike location. Use GPS coordinates when driving, if possible.

PARKING DIRECTIONS:

Do not take the first right and end up at the small parking lot with no space.

MEET US IN THE BIG PARKING LOT ON THE LEFT.

Plan to arrive 10 minutes early to find parking, and walk to the trail head.

CARPOOLING DIRECTIONS:

We will use this link for carpooling:

https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/isvjx2

Please sign up here.

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.

Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All".

Thank you for understanding.

SUMMARY:

We will start from Skyline Ridge Open Space Reserve and hike to Russian Ridge Open Space Reserve in mostly a loop.

HIKING DIRECTIONS:

-> Take unmarked trail to the East
-> turn right at the first junction to enter another unmarked trail to arrive at Ridge Trail.
-> Turn right on to Ridge Trail, and then left on to Ridge Trail.
-> Take Ridge Trail to Ridge Trail Alternate to Sunny Jim Trail. Turn Left on to Sunny Jim Trail.
-> Turn Left on to Ridge Trail.
-> Take Ridge Trail Alternate to the left to circle the Alpine Pond in a clockwise direction completing 3/4 of a circle to arrive at a junction with Old Page Mill Trail.
-> Stay to the left on Ridge Trail and cross Alpine Road to enter Russian Ridge OSP.
-> Take Ridge Trail to Borel Hill.
-> Retrace you steps back to Skyline Ridge OSP and the Alpine Pond.
-> Stay to the left as the trail splits after passing Old Page Mill Trail to a junction with Sunny Jim Trail.
-> Take the left branch at four junction to enter Sunny Jim Trail.
-> Turn left and walk about 100 ft to find Sunny Jim Trail continuing on the other side of the road. At the next junction, turn left to stay on Sunny Jim Trail. Stay to the left for the next two junctions. The next junction will be a four way junction. Turn left on to Ridge Trail back to the starting point.

PLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION ABOVE BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE.