Windy Hill Open Space Preserve: 8.7 Mile - Moderate

WAIVER: For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile):
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/

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

Distance: 8.7 miles, loop.
Hiking: Time 4.5 hours
Elevation Gain/ Loss: ± 1400 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Sleep Late and Hike Dog Policy: No Dogs Learn More

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

Facilities: Toilets at trail head.

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

THE GROUP IS TOO LARGE TO WAIT FOR EVERYONE TO USE THE RESTROOM IN THE PARK

FEES: None.
MROSD Hike Permit: 51331

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 80, as I expect some individuals not to show up.

RECOMMENDED PARK MAP:

https://www.openspace.org/sites/default/files/maps/map_WH.pdf

ALLTRAILS MAP:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/windy-hill-from-alpine-road-aff0a6a?u=i&sh=pyl4xm

MEETING PLACE:

Walk to the south end of the Portola Town Hall parking lot to Portola Road Trail head.

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°22'54.8"N 122°13'41.2"W

(Google Maps) GPS Degrees Decimal Format:

37.381890,-122.228110

The Waze App will route around "restricted access" roads, unlike the Google Maps app, using the same map data as Google Maps. Therefore, Waze also owned by Google, is recommended over the Google Maps app.

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

http://waze.to/?ll=37.381890,-122.228110&navigate=yes

Just click it. It will open Waze and start navigating to the trail head.

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.

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

PARKING DIRECTIONS:

Park north of the starting point at Portola Valley City Hall and Portola Valley Library. Extra parking around the corner at the church.

City Hall:

765 Portola Rd, Portola Valley, CA 94028

CARPOOLING DIRECTIONS:

We will use this link for carpooling:

https://groupcarpool.com/t/zc9wre

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:

Windy Hill features open grassland ridges and forests of redwood, fir, and oak.

DIRECTIONS:

Start the Town Hall Parking lot and walk South to enter Portola Road Trail head ->
Portola Road Trail walk South (0.5 mi) to and turn right to enter the parking lot.
Walk through the parking lot on to the trail, passing the information signboard, and arrive at trail junction (0.1 mi) with Betsy Crowder Trail in front of you and Spring Ridge Trail on your left ->
Turn left on to Spring Ridge Trail (0.6 mi) to arrive at a junction with Sequoias Trail on your left, and Spring Ridge Trail on your right, continuing straight through (0.2 mi) to turn right on to Hamms Gulch Trail ->
Pass by Meadow Trail (155 ft) on your left and again on your right (205 ft) ->
Pass by an unnamed trail on your left (408 ft), and pass by Eagle trail on your left (0.3 mi) ->
Continue up (2.3 mi) to a T junction with Lost trail ->
Take the right (North) branch (0.4 mi) to a Restroom area where Lost Trail goes left and Anniversary Trail goes right ->
Take Anniversary Trail North (0.4 mi) to a junction with a trail on your left ->
Take the trail on your left to arrive at the summit of Windy Hill (278 ft)->
Trace your way back to Anniversary Trail (278ft), taking the left branch to continue North (0.2 mi) for a junction with Lost Trial on your left and Spring Ridge Trail on your right->
This is a four way junction:
1. Lost Trail to your left
2. Spring Ridge Trail heading up to the highway.
3. Spring Ridge Trail heading down.
4. Anniversary Trail that you came here on.

Take Spring Ridge Trail heading down on your right (1.6 mi) ->
Passing Meadow Trail on your right passing Betsy Crowder Trail left (0.3 mi) ->
Pass Meadow Trail (0.1 mi) and arrive at the same junction with Sequoias Trail directly ahead of you ->
Turn left (North) to walk back on the same Spring Ridge Trail at the start of the hike (0.6 mi) ->
Turn right toward the parking lot walking through it (0.1 mi) ->
Turn left (North) onto Portola Road Trail (0.5 mi) to arrive at your starting point.

PLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION ABOVE BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE.