Trails that won't wash out - San Francisco Bay Area trails

Sunset, Feb, 1994 by Lora J. Finnegan

Three Bay Area trails pave the way to rewarding winter hikes

ONE OF THE BLESSINGS of life in the mild-weather West is the chance to hike through a rain-greened landscape in the middle of winter. But there's a downside. Rain can wash out a trail or turn it into a muddy, boot-sucking mess. One solution is a trail that never gets muddy, never becomes impassable, and almost never washes out--in other words, a paved trail.

In the Bay Area, three such trails wind through wildlands that offer lake, bay, or redwood scenery, along with a chance to glimpse wildlife. Each is long enough for a good workout. All are open to bicycles as well. Trails are listed north to south.

Creek Trail, in Samuel P. Taylor State Park, off Sir Francis Drake Highway about 15 miles northwest of San Rafael and U.S. Highway 101. The trail winds under towering redwoods and parallels the course of Lagunitas Creek, called Papermill Creek in Samuel P. Taylor's day. In the 1800s, Taylor owned a paper mill along the creek as well as substantial real estate in what is now the 3,000-acre park. The creek is never far from sight, rushing along below the trail. In February and March, you may see a winter run of steelhead or silver salmon migrating upstream (no fishing is allowed).

About 1/2 mile from the trailhead, you reach the site of Taylor's mill; it's gone now, but a plaque explains the history of the mill, which produced newsprint for the San Francisco papers. A short distance beyond, a bridge marks the summer swimming hole site; turn back here for a 2-mile round trip, or continue to the trail's end and backtrack to return for a 7-mile trip. It's a level route, following the old Northwest Pacific Railroad right-of-way that ran between Larkspur and Cazadero.

To reach the trailhead, park at the picnic area and walk 3/10 mile toward the campgrounds to road's end and join the paved Creek Trail. Park hours are 8 to sunset; the day use fee is $5 per vehicle.

Sawyer Camp Trail, at Crystal Springs Reservoir, San Mateo. Skirting the edge of a reservoir and watershed lands owned by the San Francisco Water Department, Sawyer Camp Trail is a popular route with hikers, joggers, and cyclists. In the 1870s, Leander Sawyer set up camp along this route, serving travelers riding the stagecoach between San Francisco and Half Moon Bay. The road that bore his name was closed to autos and made into a trail in 1978.

The south end of the 6-mile trail starts at Skyline Boulevard and Crystal Springs Road. Head north along the broad, level trail past madrone and manzanita. Crystal Springs Reservoir is especially bird-rich in winter: look for buffleheads, mallards, and western grebes. Mileage indicators mark the path, and after about 3 miles you'll reach the stately Jepson Laurel, considered one of the oldest and largest laurels in the state. This makes a logical turnaround point; backtrack for a 6-mile walk.

To reach the trailhead from Interstate Highway 280, take Hayne Road west, then go south on Skyline Boulevard to Crystal Springs Road. The trail's north end is much less crowded: to reach it from Interstate 280, take Hillcrest Boulevard west; park where the road ends. Head south on the trail 3 miles to the Jepson Laurel.

Alameda Creek Regional Trail, in Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont. This trail runs from San Francisco Bay 12 miles to the mouth of Niles Canyon, following the steep banks of Alameda Creek. From the park office adjacent to the parking area, take Bayview Trail north. You'll pass brackish marshes that hold thousands of migrating birds in winter--canvasback ducks, snow geese, tundra swans. After a mile, you reach a short spur trail that joins Alameda Creek Trail. The creek itself is alive with birds--look for common goldeneyes, greater scaups, and common egrets. From here, it's about a 1 3/4-mile walk to the Ardenwood Boulevard overpass, a good spot for viewing cliff and barn swallows. Backtrack to return for a 5 1/2-mile walk.

To reach the park from State Highway 84, 2 miles west of Interstate 880, take Paseo Padre Parkway north and turn left on Patterson Ranch Road into the park. Admission is $3; park hours are 8 to 5 daily.