fallen tree on trail

Temporary COVID-19 Restrictions

  • Picnic areas at Picchetti Ranch are CLOSED.
  • Where picnic tables are available, visitors must bring sanitizer to clean tables before and after use and pack out all trash. At least six feet social distance must be kept between people not from the same household.
  • 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.

Bear Creek Redwoods

  • Construction activities began on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, in the closed area next to the parking lot as part of the Alma Cultural Landscape Rehabilitation Project, with no impacts to the publicly accessible areas of the preserve. 
Date updated: Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - 8:30am

Coal Creek

  • Fuel reduction work will be taking place along Coal Road, Clouds Rest Trail and a portion of Crazy Pete’s Road on weekdays through May 31, 2021. There may be brief delays along these trails during work. This project will create 2.5 miles of new shaded fuel break in the preserve. Additional trail closures will be posted if they arise. Learn more about this high priority fuel reduction project.
    map of fuel reduction work
Date updated: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 - 5:00pm

El Corte de Madera Creek

  • Methuselah Trail, from Giant Salamander Trail to South Leaf Trail, is CLOSED to equestrians due to trail damage
Date updated: Sunday, October 25, 2020 - 3:00pm

Fremont Older

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

  • Toyon Trail is OPEN to bicyclists and equestrians.
  • Wedding Trail is OPEN to bicyclists and equestrians.
Date updated: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 - 9:00am

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.
Date updated: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 - 7:45pm

Long Ridge

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

  • 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: Saturday, February 27, 2021 - 2:45pm

Monte Bello

  • Waterwheel Creek Trail will be temporarily closed on Monday, April 19 from 5 to 10 a.m. Ridge Vineyard will be applying organic pesticide in the vineyard blocks surrounding the trail. For more information, please contact Ridge Vineyard at 408-867-3233.

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: Monday, April 19, 2021 - 8:15am

Picchetti Ranch

Date updated: Thursday, October 22, 2020 - 12:45pm

Purisima Creek Redwoods

  • Parking restrictions in place along Purisima Creek Road and Higgins Canyon Road. 

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: Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - 3:30pm

Rancho San Antonio

  • During times of high visitation the front gate to the preserve may be temporarily closed so that roads remain clear for emergency traffic. Vehicles will not be allowed to line up along the road while the gate is closed.
  • Some trails have been changed 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: Monday, April 5, 2021 - 8:30am

Ravenswood

Date updated: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - 1:00pm

Russian Ridge

  • All areas are closed to off-trail use during wildflower season.
  • Clouds Rest Vista Point is closed by order of Caltrans. Roadside parking is very limited in this area.
Date updated: Friday, April 2, 2021 - 8:45am

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.
  • Beginning May 2021 through early 2022 the turnaround, drop-off and ADA parking* at the top of the summit and the road leading to this area will be closed to all visitors Monday - Friday. Get complete closure information. 
  • Additional closed areas within Sierra Azul Preserve are shown on the Preserve map.
Date updated: Monday, April 19, 2021 - 7:15am

Windy Hill

  • Grassland areas are closed to off-trail use during wildflower season. This includes the areas around Spring Ridge Trail, Meadow Trail, Betsy Crowder Trail and Anniversary Trail.

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, April 19, 2021 - 7:15am