Date/Time
Date(s) - 05/12/26
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
Categories
Hike – Black Mountain from Monte Bello, near Palo Alto
Meet at: the carpool site* at 9:30 am or at the hike site at 10 am.
Getting there: To drive directly, go 7 miles up Page Mill Road from Hwy 280; the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve parking area is on your left side just before Skyline Boulevard.
Monte Bello is Italian for “beautiful mountain,” and the preserve is very aptly named. The rolling grasslands are interspersed with riparian corridors and dense stands of California bay, canyon oak, coast live oak, and madrone. From the summit of Black Mountain, hikers are treated to spectacular views of the Hamilton Range and the entire length of Santa Clara Valley. Monte Bello Ridge provides a scenic backdrop for the communities of Palo Alto, Los Altos, Mountain View, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale.
The hike starts with a slight descent following Canyon Road, then a 2-mile moderate but steady climb up Bella Vista Trail and Old Ranch and Monte Bello Roads to Black Mountain. On the way, we will stop at the Black Mountain Backpack Camp with picnic benches and a restroom. This could be a good shady place to have an early lunch, depending on our timing. The other option for lunch is between the rocks on Black Mountain (amazing views but no facilities).
On the way back, we will descend Monte Bello Road, Indian Trail (pretty steep), Canyon Trail, and Skid Road Trail down to Stevens Creek. Stevens Creek Nature Trail, a 1.2-mile climb, takes us back to the parking lot.
The hike up Black Mountain and most of the Indian Trail are exposed.
If you want to cancel your reservation/sign up:
Call or send an email message to the event leader and inform the leader of your cancellation. (kpm5000@aol.com or call Klaus Model at 617-515-6895)
