Windy Hill

Windy Hill
September 26, 2009
10:00 AM

The Place

The Windy Hill Preserve comprises an important 1132 acre stretch of conservation land on the eastward side of the Santa Cruz Mountains, rising from the valley road near Portola Valley to the 1905 ft summit from which it gets its name.

Long View Of Summit

In clear weather there are magnificent views from the summit, and indeed the entire upper end of the park, across the campus of Stanford University to the San Francisco Bay and beyond to Mount Tamalpais and Mount Diablo. Downtown San Francisco is visible, as well as the Pacific Ocean.

Brushy Hill with Trees in

the Distance

Walking The Walk

We will be hiking the Spring Ridge-Hamms Gulch Loop.
Level 3.5 - Miles 7.2 - Elevation 1400 feet - Hosts - Angel L. & Philip S.

View of The Summit From Hams Gulch

Spring Ridge Trail runs from the Portola Valley trailhead to Skyline Boulevard through the open, grassy part of the preserve. It, like most of the lower trails, is a fire road, open to cyclists as well as hikers and equestrians. Two trails further to the south (Hamms Gulch and the Lost Trail-Razorback Ridge-Eagle Trail combination), are single-tracks not open to cyclists. These trails run through forested country: oak, fir, buckeye, bay laurel, madrone and one or two redwoods.

Old Moss Covered Tree

Know Before You Go

Bring bug spray and something to sit on at the meeting.

Drive time:From San Jose about 40 minutes - No Parking Fee - Dogs Allowed on Spring Ridge-Hamms Gulch Loop

Path Through Trees

Getting There

Directions: Windy Hill Open Space Preserve is located in the Town of Portola Valley. The parking lot at the lower portion of the preserve is located on Portola Road.
From Highway 280, exit Alpine Road in Portola Valley. Go south on Alpine Road about 2.9 miles to Portola Road (the first stop sign). Turn right on Portola Road and travel 0.8 miles to the parking lot is on the left side of the road.