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Run through a second growth forest of Douglas fir and redwood trees that connects to the Schilling Lake Trail.


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Map Key

0.7

Miles

1.1

KM

73%

Runnable

921' 281 m

High

517' 158 m

Low

417' 127 m

Up

13' 4 m

Down

12%

Avg Grade (7°)

24%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · Views

Like all Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Preserves, the preserve is open from a half hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. During the winter, the trail may be closed due to high water causing hazardous creek crossings or the trails being too muddy. Check the Thornewood Preserve website to confirm that the preserve is open before heading out in the winter.

Need to Know

During the summer, Schilling Lake will be dry, making it not as memorable as the winter when birds are migrating and the water levels are up. There are several desire trails in the area, as well as an old unmaintained trail. Signs provide directions on which way the trails go in some places, so watch out if it is your first time in the preserve.

Runner Notes

The trail is relatively free of obstacles, so it is a nice short run up to Schilling Lake Trail. The trail is relatively narrow, so watch out for equestrians and hikers who might be on the trail as well.

Description

The Bridle Trail climbs from Old La Honda Road through a second growth forest of Douglas fir and redwood trees to the Schilling Lake Trail. The trail departs the parking area, which is a small pullout on the road, and begins climbing on a singletrack dirt trail through a shaded forest. Redwoods tower over you as you make your way up into the preserve. The trail rolls through a creek bed that might be difficult to cross in the winter due to high waters before climbing more steeply through the preserve.

The nice thing about this trail is the it is completely shaded throughout the day. After roughly 0.6 miles, the trail begins to level out as it approaches the Schilling Lake Trail. The trail joins the Schilling Lake Trail and you have several options. You can follow the trail to the left to where Schilling Lake is. If you go to the right, the Schilling Lake Trail makes its way past the old Thorne house to the to the parking lot on Highway 84. You can also retrace your steps back to the parking lot on Old La Honda Road.

Flora & Fauna

Redwood, Douglas fir, oak, and madrone trees can be seen throughout the run.

Contacts

Shared By:

David Hitchcock

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#16110

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  4.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#1,692

in California

#16,110

Overall
13 Views Last Month
305 Since Jun 24, 2020
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Photos

Schilling Lake is down below, behind the trees, end of the hike.
Nov 15, 2019 near Portola…, CA

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