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A short trail starting from Skyline Boulevard with great views of the South Bay.


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Map Key

0.9

Miles

1.5

KM

76%

Runnable

2,332' 711 m

High

1,840' 561 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

493' 150 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

22%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildlife

The preserve is open year round from dawn until half an hour after sunset.

Runner Notes

The trail is a combination of gravel road and wide, dirt trail. It's an easy run downhill, but be on the lookout for mountain bikers who are making their way to the popular Alpine Road Trail.

Description

Parking for this trail is located at Vista Point along Skyline Boulevard opposite of Russian Ridge Preserve. The trail descends along a singletrack from the left side of the parking area to the Clouds Rest Road. Follow the gravel road to the right as it descends past private homes on the left side of the road. At roughly .3 miles, the trail passes through a gate system and transforms into a dirt track.

In another .1 mile, the Meadow Trail continues straight ahead while the Clouds Rest breaks off to the left. A small singletrack (Clouds Rest Alternate Trail) breaks off to the right and leads through the fields out to a point that overlooks the South Bay Area before descending back to the main Clouds Rest Trail. The trail descends steeply at this point, with views of private residences off to the left before passing a power tower at .8 miles and entering the woods. At this point, the trail is shaded and relatively quiet.

The trail ends at the junction with the Alpine Road Trail, a popular trail for mountain bikers. From here, you can return to your car via the path you came or take a right and make a loop by combining the Alpine Road Trail and Meadow Trail.

Flora & Fauna

Deer, coyote, rabbits, hawks, and turkey vultures can be seen in the open areas of the preserve.

Contacts

Shared By:

David Hitchcock

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#30159

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#3,343

in California

#30,159

Overall
3 Views Last Month
615 Since Dec 11, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

The trail descends into the preserve, but there are a couple of great views before it re-enters the woods.
Nov 27, 2016 near La Honda, CA
Views of the Bay Area stretch out before you. If you look closely in the field, you can see two coyotes before they get scared off.
Nov 27, 2016 near La Honda, CA
A view from he Vista Point overlooking the Stanford Dish Area and the South Bay area.
Nov 27, 2016 near La Honda, CA
While the trail is wide as it follows the old road, you can see the area that is most popular with cyclists.
Nov 13, 2016 near La Honda, CA
The Clouds Rest Trail is wide through this section. This is looking back up the hill you just descended.
Nov 27, 2016 near La Honda, CA
After passing through the gate, the trail hugs the ridge line and changes into a dirt track.
Nov 27, 2016 near La Honda, CA

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