Hike – Palo Alto’s Foothills Park

Date/Time
Date(s) - 06/08/21
10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Categories

Monthly Events

Palo Alto’s Foothill Park

Only fully COVID-19 vaccinated members and guests may attend HPREC in-person events including hikes. As part of HPREC’s new COVID-19 protocols, hikers must sign up on our NEW myHPREC website in advance and supply their emergency contact information electronically. This is necessary to avoid close contact on the day of the hike and to make sure the maximum of number of hikers for each session is 20 (including the hike leader).

Note: Foothills Park used to be open only to Palo Alto residents and their guests. Recently it has been opened to the general public. Parking is limited and Palo Alto charges per each car. Fully vaccinated should meet at the NEW carpool location.

The NEW carpool location is at 1501 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto 94306. This is the current headquarters of HP Inc. To get there take I-280 to Page Mill Road (PMR). Proceed 2.1 miles east on PMR across Junipero Serra Blvd/Foothill Expressway to Peter Coutts. At the intersection turn right into the entrance and through the gate. Proceed straight ahead to the 2nd stop sign and turn right to meet the group. Please note: There are no restroom facilities so please make plans accordingly.

If you would prefer to meet at the hike site: Take Page Mill Road to the park entrance. Bear left by Borona Lake. When you get to the bottom of the hill, bear left onto the Orchard Glen parking area and park by the rest rooms.

The Park:

Palo Alto’s Foothills Park is bounded by Portola Valley, Los Altos Hills, the Pearson-Arastradero Preserve and Los Trancos Open Space. The 1,400-acre Foothills Park is a nature lover’s paradise. Miles of trails provide access through rugged chaparral, woodlands, fields, streams, a lake, and provide spectacular views of the bay.

The Hike:
The hike will have two loops. Before lunch, we will hike a bit more than 3 miles. We will have lunch at the picnic tables near where we parked. If you wish, you can leave your lunch in a car while you hike. After lunch we will hike a loop in different direction; it will be a bit less than 3 miles. As most places we hike, there is poison oak. It should not be a problem as long as you stay towards the middle of the hiking trails. Some of the hike will be through nicely shaded area, but some will be in the sunshine, so be sure to put on sunscreen.