a rainy trail lined with trees

Trail Conditions

(Nadine Levin)

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS THE MOST CURRENT AVAILABLE. 

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 outings accordingly. Hazardous conditions occasionally elicit FULL preserve closures. Please check individual preserve pages for a status update on each preserve. Trail closures are strictly enforced.

Bicyclists and equestrians: To prevent trail damage, please avoid riding dirt trails while it is raining or right after larger storms when there is a lot of standing/running water on the trails. 

Trail Conditions by Preserve

Bear Creek Redwoods

  • The Madrone Knoll Trail may be CLOSED due to construction in the area. The trail will be OPEN on the weekends.
  • The Thimbleberry Trail is under construction and will be CLOSED through the winter. The newly built trail will need to over-winter, meaning once construction is complete, the new path will need time for the soil to compact and stabilize, leading to a more resilient and durable trail. The trail is planned to open in Spring of 2025.

Cloverdale Ranch

  • No reported trail closures.

Coal Creek

  • No reported trail closures.

El Corte de Madera Creek

  • Methuselah Trail from Giant Salamander Trail to South Leaf Trail is CLOSED to equestrians due to trail damage.

El Sereno

  • No reported trail closures.

Foothills

  • No reported trail closures.

Fremont Older

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

  • ​​​​​Wedding Trail is CLOSED to bicyclists and equestrians.
  • Upper Toyon Trail is CLOSED to bicyclists and equestrians.

La Honda Creek

  • Grasshopper Loop Trail is seasonally OPEN to dogs August 1 through December 15 during cattle calving season. The trail remains open year-round for hiking. 

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

  • Folger Ranch Loop Trail is CLOSED to hikers and equestrians.
  • Grasshopper Loop Trail is CLOSED to equestrians.

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.

 

Los Trancos

  • No reported trail closures.

Miramontes Ridge

  • This preserve is closed to the public.

Monte Bello

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

  • Skid Road Trail is CLOSED to bicyclists and equestrians.
  • Stevens Creek Nature Trail is CLOSED to bicyclists and equestrians between Skid Road and Canyon Trail.
  • White Oak Trail is CLOSED to bicyclists and equestrians connecting to Skid Road Trail.

Picchetti Ranch

  • No reported trail closures.

Pulgas Ridge

  • The Pulgas Ridge Parking Area may be CLOSED from Monday, 12/9 through the end of December for construction work on the ADA Barrier Removal Project. Learn more about the project here.
  • The County of San Mateo has restricted all on-street parking along Edmond Road during the construction of the Cordilleras Mental Health Center.

Purisima Creek Redwoods

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

  • Whittemore Gulch Trail is CLOSED to bicyclists and equestrians.

Rancho San Antonio

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

  • ​​​​​Quarry Trail is CLOSED to equestrians.

Ravenswood

  • No reported trail closures.

Russian Ridge

  • No reported trail closures.

Saratoga Gap

  • Saratoga Gap Trail will be CLOSED Wednesday December 18 through Thursday December 19 in order for Fire Safe San Mateo County crews to safely conduct fuel reduction work.

Sierra Azul

  • No reported trail closures.

Skyline Ridge

The following closures will be in effect through December 2024 for work on the ADA Barrier Removal Project:

  • Full closure of the Horseshoe Lake Loop Trail from the Skyline ADA Parking Area to the Horseshoe Lake Dam.
  • Full closure of Skyline Ridge ADA Parking Area.

The project aims to remove accessibility barriers at Midpen preserves and facilities. Learn more about the project here.

St. Joseph's Hill

  • No reported trail closures.

Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Area

  • No reported trail closures.

Teague Hill

  • No reported trail closures.

Thornewood

  • Bridle Trail advisory: Crossing Dennis Martin Creek is not advised during high water events.
  • Schilling Lake Trail advisory: Equestrians, use caution between the Thornewood parking area and Bridle Trail due to a section of uneven terrain

Tunitas Creek

  • This preserve is closed to the public.

Windy Hill

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

  • Betsy Crowder Trail is CLOSED to equestrians.
  • Hamms Gulch Trail is CLOSED to equestrians.
  • Lost Trail south of Hamms Gulch is CLOSED to equestrians.
  • Razorback Ridge Trail is CLOSED to equestrians.

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