Enjoy a moderately-paced hike with Docent Naturalists Kate Bauer, Nick Yatsko, and Mary Brunkhorst. You’ll follow the Chestnut Trail from Long Ridge Preserve to Skyline Ridge Preserve on this out-and-back trek with a 200-foot elevation gain. Along the way, you’ll walk through a chestnut orchard and among conifer trees while learning how holiday traditions associated with these tasty nuts and lovely trees have brought cheer to many a cold winter’s day. Bring a lunch for a break midway through the hike.
Meet at Peters Creek Roadside Parking, on the west side of Skyline Boulevard, 3.6 miles north of Highway 9 or 3.3 miles south of Page Mill Road. If you are coming from the north on Skyline Blvd., the pullout is just past Portola Heights Road on the right. From the south, the pullout is near the Palo Alto city limits sign on the right. There is additional parking across Skyline Blvd. at the Grizzly Flat trailhead (Santa Clara County Park).