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Wild Recovery San Jose, California

November 4, 2006 Sweeney Ridge

The Place

       The newest part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area, Sweeney Ridge follows a rugged ridgeline filled with lupines, poppies, and paintbrush.  Prepare for sweeping views east of the 747's lifting off from SFO, west for the Pacific shoreline and Highway 1, south to San Andreas Lake and north to the distant towers of the Golden Gate Bridge.  We will pass abandoned missile facilities from the Cold War and the site where Spanish explorer Portola first discovered San Francisco Bay in 1769.

Getting There

        DIRECTIONS: Take Highway 280 North from San Jose for about 40 miles to the exit for Skyline Blvd. Highway 35. Follow north 3 miles to College Drive. Turn left and follow 6/10ths of a mile entrance for Skyline College. Bear left and follow 2/10ths of a mile to Student Parking Lot #2. 

Drive Time 1 Hour - Parking Free - Dogs allowed on leash

Walking the Walk

        (Level 2.5 - Miles: 4.9 - Elevation 800')  We will follow Sweeney Ridge Trail. Two steep climbs make the first 8/10ths of a mile the most challenging. From there we stroll across a mostly flat ridgeline for 1.6 miles to the end of the trail, then a mile long loop back along Pacifica Stable horse trails to a grassy outcropping near the Portola Discovery Site for our meeting. We will then retrace the Sweeney Ridge Trail for 2 miles back to the parking lot.

Know Before You Go

        ATTENTION:  The meeting site is an unprotected mountaintop subject to crosswinds and fog on even warm sunny days. Bring a sweatshirt or jacket and a blanket or tarp. Poison oak is present along the trail.

Drive Time 1 Hour - Parking Free - Dogs allowed on leash

Download .PDF Trail Map: http://www.nps.gov/goga/maps/pdf/sweeney.pdf