Published 3/5/2025
New Loop Will Connect to Highway 17 Crossings Project
Midpen’s trail crews are breaking ground later this year on construction of the Spooky Knoll Trail in the El Sereno Open Space Preserve near Los Gatos. This new trail will be a crucial part of the larger Highway 17 wildlife and trail crossings project, promising increased opportunities for outdoor recreation, stunning views and safe passage across Highway 17 for wildlife at a known roadkill hot-spot.
This approximately one-mile trail will establish the first loop within Midpen’s El Sereno Preserve. When the trail is complete, visitors will be treated to panoramic views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Lexington Reservoir and the sprawling Silicon Valley. This new trail will add to the existing seven miles of trails in the preserve and connect to over 50 miles of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and Historic Anza Trail, creating a vast network for hikers to explore.
This project has been years in the making, and is supported by Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, who helped secure $400,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This money, along with funds from Midpen’s voter-approved Measure AA bond, are helping to make the Spooky Knoll Trail a reality.
While the Spooky Knoll Trail construction is anticipated in 2025, the construction of the Highway 17 wildlife undercrossing and multi-use trail overcrossing is slated to begin in 2027.
Why So Spooky?
Interestingly, the trail’s name, “Spooky Knoll,” has a unique origin. It was coined by Midpen’s trail crew after discovering a memorial rock for a pet named “Spooky” on an overlooking knoll during trail scouting. While intended as a placeholder, the name became widely used and was ultimately included in the successful grant application. Due to the intricacies of federal funding, the name must remain, at least for the time being.