San Mateo County: 650-363-4020
Facilities: Pedestrian, equestrian, and bicycle path
Rules: Open sunrise to sunset
Map: See map; USGS topo San Mateo
How to Get There: From I-280: (1) East entrance—Take Hwy 92 exit east, then take Ralston Ave. exit. At first traffic signal, 1.13 miles east of Ralston/Polhemus/Hwy 92 interchange, park on south side of Ralston Ave. (2) West entrance: (a) Northbound—Take Hwy 92 west to Cañada Rd. Go south on it 0.2 mile to gate on east side. Parking is on either side of road. (b) Southbound— Take Half Moon Bay exit to Skyline Blvd. (Hwy 35) and continue south to Hwy 92, then turn east to Cañada Rd. Go south on it 0.2 mile to gate on east side.
Distance: 2 miles round trip
Time: 1 hour
Elevation Change: 125’ loss
This is no quiet country trail, but a paved, fenced path and concrete structure vaulting over the freeway. At this writing, the surface is a bit rough and cracked, but it is the only way to cross the freeway on foot, horse, or bicycle at this point. From Ralston Avenue the path goes through a gate to the Watershed lands and descends along chaparral-covered slopes. It curves south and then rises steeply to the arched structure over the freeway. A swift drop on the other side and a sharp right turn take you down to Cañada Road. On the west side you can pick up the roadside Crystal Springs Trail.
An interesting 6.2-mile circle hike starting at the Ralston Avenue entrance combines the Overcrossing Trail, part of the Crystal Springs Trail, the Sheep Camp Trail, and the upper part of the Waterdog Lake Trail. When the Waterdog Lake Trail reaches Hallmark Drive, walk north on it to Ralston Avenue, then west on the Ralston bike path to where you started. These trails are described more fully in their separate chapters.
Ralston Bike Trail/I-280 Overcrossing nearing Cañada Road
Sheep Camp Trail
A scenic downhill trip from the eastern crest of the Watershed winds downhill to cross under I-280. On the far side the trail meanders through sheltered oak groves and small meadows to join the Crystal Springs Trail at Cañada Road.
Jurisdiction: San Mateo County: 650-363-4020
Facilities: Trail for hikers and equestrians
Rules: Open 8 A.M. to sunset; no dogs or bicycles
Maps: See map; USGS topos San Mateo and Woodside
How to Get There: From I-280 take Hwy 92 east to Ralston Ave., turn south on Hallmark Dr., west on Benson Way and south on St. James Rd. Gate to Watershed is on right.
Distance: 2 miles round trip
Time: 1 hour
Elevation Change: 400’ loss
Enter through the green gates to the Watershed. Walk straight ahead on the graveled road over the grassy slope to the sign SHEEP CAMP TRAIL,. CAÑADA ROAD 1.6 KM. No sheep are in sight, but around the bend is a view of eight or ten concrete lanes of the Junipero Serra Freeway, which would surprise its namesake, the Franciscan Father who trod a more modest path between his missions.
Keep going downhill on the road and cross under the freeway. As the road starts up the hill to the vista point, go instead through a gate on the right. From here a dirt and gravel road takes you away from the freeway roar into the Watershed’s quiet oak woods and small meadows. About 0.5 mile from the gate you reach Cañada Road. On the far side is the Crystal Springs Trail, which goes south to Huddart Park and north to Highway 92. Just 0.4 mile south is the Pulgas Water Temple, a pleasant picnic destination.
For an interesting 6.2-mile loop trip on the Sheep Camp Trail and other trails in this area, see the description of the Ralston Trail/I-280 Overcrossing. Someday it may be possible to make a 9-mile loop hike using the Sheep Camp, Crystal Springs, Edgewood, Pulgas Ridge, and Watershed boundary trails. Only a short connection from Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve to the eastern Watershed boundary trail is missing at this writing.
Cross Country Running Course
Considered one of the best running courses in the Bay Area, this course has a location on the eastern crest of the Watershed that makes it a good walking trail as well. Here is a chance to check your pace on carefully measured and marked loop paths.
Jurisdiction: San Francisco Water Department; maintained by College of San Mateo, 650-574-6448.
Facilities: Trails for runners, joggers, and hikers; drinking fountains at trail entrance
Rules: Open to runners, joggers, and hikers except during competition events; no dogs; no bicycles; no smoking
Maps: See map, city of Belmont Jogging Trails, available at the Parks Department, USGS topo San Mateo
How to Get There: From I-280 take Hwy 92 east. Take Ralston Ave. exit, turn right on Hallmark Dr. and continue to Hallmark Park on west side of street just before Wakefield Dr. Park along street. Take path through trees by tennis courts to running course.
Distance: 0.5 to 7.5 miles
Time: 15 minutes to 4 hours, or as long as you like
Elevation Change: Relatively level
This championship course, started some 40 years ago by two College of San Mateo coaches, had to be rerouted because of the construction of I-280. Its popularity continues to increase. Local, regional and state high-school and community-college competitions held during the months of September, October, and November, draw large crowds, both runners and spectators.
Care of the course is under the direction of the College of San Mateo track and cross-country coaches. Volunteers do cleanup, mowing, and course conditioning. Walkers, hikers, and joggers can use the course, but should respect competitions by staying off the course during races.
From the start of the course at Hallmark Park the paths extend in loops west and south. The openness of the rolling hillsides and the views over Crystal Springs lakes to the Santa Cruz Mountains make this an exhilarating walk at any time of the year. In spring, poppies, lupines, daisies, blue-eyed grass, and brodiaeas bloom at your feet. In summer, coastal breezes cool what could be a hot, sunny path. And with these breezes come drifts of fog curling over the mountains to the west.
For other walks along the Watershed ridge from Hallmark Park you can take the graveled service roads of the San Francisco Water Department that follow the Watershed boundary. Good for walks in wet weather, these surfaced roads extend more than a mile west and southeast. Going west from Hallmark Park, you will come to the upper entrance to the Sheep Camp Trail at the St. James Road watershed gate.
Entrance to Cross Country Running Course
Foothills Parks Adjoining Southern San Francisco Watershed
Pulgas
