fallen tree on trail

Temporary COVID-19 Restrictions

  • Picnic areas at Mount Umunhum, Picchetti Ranch and Rancho San Antonio are CLOSED.
  • Paper maps are not available at preserves. Please download a map before leaving home or snap a photo of the signboard map before you hike.
  • One-way routes are in effect on some trails to promote social distancing.

Get detailed information about Midpen's efforts to keep our visitors and employees safe at openspace.org/coronavirus.

Trail Brushing Update

We are aware that many trails need brushing. Due to lowered staffing due to social distancing requirements, we are not currently able to clear trails to our usual standards or time-frames. Staff are hard at work, but it will take longer than normal to get to all of them. In a typical year, we add a significant number of full-time seasonal workers during the spring and summer to help with the heavy work load; however, we are not able to hire for these positions until and unless social distancing requirements are no longer necessary. Thank you for your understanding.

This information is updated as needed when trails are opened or closed, or when there is scheduled trail maintenance.

Trail conditions can vary depending on the time of year, the impact of rain and storms, construction and maintenance and other occurrences. Please be aware that trail closures may change from day to day without notice, based on current and predicted weather conditions. During winter storm season high waters can make creek crossings hazardous, so plan your outing accordingly. 

Trail closures are strictly enforced.

El Corte de Madera Creek

  • Methuselah Trail, from Giant Salamander Trail to South Leaf Trail, is CLOSED to equestrians due to trail damage.
  • The eastern portion of the Steam Donkey Trail is PERMANENTLY CLOSED. The trail between the Oljon junction and Highway 35 has been replaced with a newly constructed section 1.3 mile section of the Oljon Trail, connecting to Springboard. This final portion of the watershed protection program reduces the need for preserve visitors to access Highway 35 during their visit and adds over 2,000 feet of new single track to the existing trail network. Download map of trail construction area.
Date updated: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 3:15pm

Fremont Older

The following trail may be closed to bicycle and equestrian use during wet conditions.

  • Toyon Trail is OPENto bicyclists and equestrians.

  • Wedding Trail is OPENto bicyclists and equestrians.
Date updated: Monday, May 18, 2020 - 12:00pm

La Honda Creek

 

The following trail may be closed to hiking and equestrian use during wet conditions.

  • Folger Ranch Loop Trail is OPEN to hikers and equestrians.  Beware of uneven, hoof impacted trail treads.
Date updated: Monday, May 4, 2020 - 1:30pm

Long Ridge

 

The following trails may be closed to bicycle and equestrian use during wet conditions.

  • Achistaca Trail is OPEN to equestrians.
  • Chestnut Trail is OPEN to bicyclists and equestrians.
  • Long Ridge Trail is OPEN to bicyclists and equestrians.
  • Peters Creek Trail is OPEN to bicyclists and equestrians.
Date updated: Monday, May 4, 2020 - 1:30pm

Monte Bello

 

The following trails may be closed to bicycle and equestrian use during wet conditions.

  • Skid Road Trail is OPEN to bicyclists and equestrians.
  • Stevens Creek Nature Trail is OPEN to bicyclists and equestrians between Skid Road and Canyon Trail.
  • White Oak Trail is OPEN to bicyclists and equestrians.
Date updated: Tuesday, June 30, 2020 - 2:45pm

Picchetti Ranch

Date updated: Friday, March 13, 2020 - 3:00pm

Purisima Creek Redwoods

TEMPORARY COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

  • Parking restrictions in place along Highway 35, Purisima Creek Road and Higgins Canyon Road.  Preserve parking is very limited at this time.

Map of roadside parking restrictions.

parking restrictions at lower Purisima Creek Redwoods

The following trail may be closed to bicycle and equestrian use during wet conditions.

  • Whittemore Gulch Trail is OPEN to bicyclists and equestrians.
Date updated: Tuesday, June 23, 2020 - 10:45am

Rancho San Antonio

  • Rhus Ridge Trail will be closed July 6 – 11 due to road work along Rhus Ridge Road. The parking area and access to the preserve from this location will be closed during this time.
  • Beginning Monday, March 30, Midpen will be temporarily restricting traffic to one-way routes on crowded trails to help with social distancing. Download the updated map for one-way route information.
  • A portion of the Hammond-Snyder Trail is CLOSED, due to construction by the Santa Clara Valley Water District. The CLOSED segment of trail is marked in RED on the map below. Find out more about the Permanente Creek Flood Protection Project at valleywater.org.A portion of the Hammond-Snyder trail is closed during SCVWD construction.

The following trails may be closed to equestrian use during wet conditions.

  • Quarry Trail is OPEN to equestrians.
  • Hammond-Snyder Trail is OPEN to equestrians.

 

Date updated: Thursday, June 18, 2020 - 9:00am

Russian Ridge

  • Clouds Rest Vista Point is closed by order of Caltrans. Roadside parking is very limited in this area.
  • Roadside parking restrictions in effect along Alpine Road. Please observe all posted signage.
Date updated: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 4:30pm

Sierra Azul

  • The area surrounding the base of the Mount Umunhum radar tower is CLOSED to public access at this time. Visitors can access the East Summit using a temporary covered walkway. More info.
  • Additional closed areas within Sierra Azul Preserve are shown on the Preserve map.
Date updated: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 - 8:00am

St. Joseph's Hill

  • A section of the Jones Trail, between gate SJ01 and the Flume Trail, will be closed Wednesday, 7/8, and possibly Thursday, 7/9, for tree work. There will be a detour on the Flume Trail and two-way traffic will be permissible during this time. Cyclists can walk their bikes.
Date updated: Friday, July 3, 2015 - 1:45am

Windy Hill

  • Sequoias Trail is CLOSED to all use. There is currently no access between Willowbrook Drive and Spring Ridge Trail until further notice.

The following trails may be closed to equestrian use during wet conditions.

  • Betsy Crowder Trail is OPEN to equestrians.
  • Hamms Gulch Trail is OPEN to equestrians.
  • Lost Trail is OPEN to equestrians.
  • Razorback Ridge Trail is OPEN to equestrians.
Date updated: Monday, June 8, 2020 - 1:30pm