Several parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains are in a continuous swath of protected, public lands. Head out with Docent Naturalists Mary Brunkhorst, Kate Bauer, and Nick Yatsko to discover one of these areas on this moderately-paced loop hike through two Midpen preserves, a county park, and a state park. You’ll start your morning on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail and enjoy the grasslands along the Achistaca Trail. Crossing over to the shadier side of the ridge, you’ll complete the loop as you walk through forest and woodlands along a portion of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and the Saratoga Gap Trail. Bring a lunch for a stop at a scenic spot along the trail.
Meet at Caltran's Saratoga Gap Vista Point Parking Area on the southeast corner of the Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Highway 9 intersection.