The Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve is more than 19,000 acres of rugged chaparral-choked hills overlooking Los Gatos and the South Bay. Its 26 miles of trail link Lexington Reservoir County Park to Almaden Quicksilver County Park and encompass some of the tallest peaks in the Santa Cruz Mountains, including Mount Umunhum (publicly accessible) and Mount Thayer (off-limits). Many of these multi-use trails are wide service roads and the area is considered a mecca for mountain bikers and endurance runners. Hikers should remain alert for the former bombing down the steep and, in places, treacherous routes.
Points of departure into the Sierra Azul include the Priest Rock and Limekiln Trailheads at Lexington Reservoir County Park, the Kennedy Trailhead in the East Los Gatos neighborhood of the same name, or from trailheads on Hicks Road. The terrain is demanding and exposed—be prepared to gain a few thousand feet in elevation and bring lots of water. Payoffs include sweeping views of Bay Area and the surrounding “blue” mountains and a gorgeous chaparral and live oak ecosystem.
In 2017, the Mount Umunhum summit (3,486 feet) opened for public access and there is a parking lot at the top, making the magnificent 360-degree views accessible to nearly everyone. There is also a great 3.9-mile hike (one-way) to the summit from the Bald Mountain Parking lot on the Mount Umunhum Trail.
GOOD FOR: Hikers looking for a moderate to strenuous day trip, mountain bikers, endurance runners and horse enthusiasts. Dog friendly, but keep them on a leash.
DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT: Entering the closed areas, including Mt. Thayer. You may be ticketed for trespassing or confronted by private property owners. Also, keep your dog on a leash. Mountain bikers are frequently traveling down the trails at high speeds. Bikers should try to remember that there is a 15 mph trail speed limit--and helmets are required at all times.
IF YOU’RE LUCKY YOU’LL: See territorial hummingbirds among the blooming manzanita in winter or get some wicked downhill footage on your GoPro helmet cam.
HYDRATE AND STAY ON THE TRAIL: Bring lots of water in summer months; almost all the trails are exposed and the park has no running water. Also, the chaparral is full of ticks and poison oak.
DON’T MISS THE: Sunsets. When the moon rises and the lights of the Bay Area glow, it’s a gorgeous view on the hike back down.
-Ryan Masters, updates by Hilltromper Staff
Learn more on the official website or call the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Administrative Office at 650-691-1200.
Read Ryan Masters' At Home on Sierra Azul’s Priest Rock Trail
Directions: Park entrances include Lexington reservoir County Park; Kennedy Road in Los Gatos; and the Jacques Ridge and Bald Mountain parking lots off Mt. Umunhum Road.
Lexington Reservoir County Park: Parking is available at the Lexington Reservoir entrance to Sierra Azul, accessible from Highway 17. From southbound Highway 17, take the Bear Creek Road exit, cross over the highway, and go 0.4 miles north on Highway 17 to Alma Bridge Road. Proceed across the dam to the parking area at Lexington Reservoir County Park. The Limekiln Trail and Priest Rock trailheads are a short distance down Alma Bridge Road.
Kennedy Road: The trailhead for the Kennedy Trail is accessible from Kennedy Road in Los Gatos, approximately 1.5 miles west of its intersection with Shannon Road. Be advised, there is very limited parking at this trailhead.
Jacques Ridge Parking: Located near the intersection of Hicks Road and Mt. Umunhum Road. Exit Highway 85 at Camden Ave. (From southbound 85 turn left on Camden Ave. From northbound 85 turn left on Branham Avenue and then turn left on Camden Ave.) Travel on Camden Ave. about 1.6 miles. Turn right on Hicks Road. Travel on Hicks Road about 6.3 miles. Turn right on Mt. Umunhum Road. The Preserve parking lot will be on the right. The Woods trailhead is adjacent to the parking area.
Bald Mountain Parking Lot: Located on Mt. Umunhum Road, approximately 1.7 miles past the intersection of Hicks Road. The Bald Mountain trailhead is on the left. Public hiking and bicycling access continue up Mt. Umunhum Road for 1.3 miles past gate #SA08, to the point where the road enters private property. Although it is not gated, this point is well marked with private property signs on the sides of the road, as well as symbols on the road surface. Do not travel on Mt. Umunhum Road beyond this point. The land is private property and entry is trespassing. Above gate #SA08 and before the start of private property there is a multi-use trail, Barlow Road that starts from Mt. Umunhum Road at gate #SA09 and descends to Woods Trail.
Mount Umunhum Parking Lot: Continue for 3.6 miles on Mt Umunhum Road past the Bald Mountain Parking Lot to reach this lot just below the summit. Note that there is a roundabout at the summit with a few additional accessible spaces.
Priest Rock Trail
9 miles roundtrip; 4 hours; strenuous. Accessible by Lexington Reservoir County Park
A steep route from Alma Bridge Road which merges with the Kennedy and Woods Trails to reach the summit of Mt. El Sombros
Limekiln Trail
9 miles; 3.5-4 hours; moderate/strenuous. Accessible by the Lexington Reservoir County Park Entrance
A more intimate, less busy route to El Sombroso that follows the northern ridge of Soda Springs Canyon
Kennedy Trail
10 miles roundtrip; 3.5-4 hours; moderate/strenuous. Accessible by the Kennedy Road Entrance
Climb to the summit of Mt. El Sombroso or combine Kennedy with the Limekiln Trail for a challenging 14-mile loop.
Woods Trail
13 miles roundtrip; 7-8 hours; moderate. Accessible by the Jacques Ridge Parking Lot
A more forgiving, but longer route to the summit of Mt. El Sombroso that bisects the eastern half of the preserve.
Bald Mountain Trail
1.5 miles roundtrip; 45 minutes. Accessible by the Bald Mountain Parking Lot
A quick, half-mile trail to the pastoral summit of Bald Mountain.
Mount Umunhum Trail
7.8-mile roundtrip. 3.5 hours; moderate/strenuous. Accessible by the Bald Mountain Parking Lot or Mount Umunhum Parking Lot.
This popular trip includes about 6 miles (roundtrip) through shaded woodlands of oaks, madrones, and bay laurels.
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