Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve 2015-06-15

At 366 acres with 6 miles of hiking trails, Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve is compact and is managed by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space. It is located at the border of San Carlos & Redwood City off Hwy 280 and Edgewood Road. The parking lot on Edmonds Rd is big enough to have about 20 cars. Pulgas Ridge Preserve has an off-leash dog area and is exclusively a hiker's park - no bicyclists and no equestrians. 

Apollo and I started off our hike on Blue Oak Trail. After a steady climb and less than half a mile into the hike, we continued onto Dick Bishop Trail rather than doing the Hassler Loop Trail in the off-leash area. Both of these are single track trails with plenty of shade. 

Dick Bishop Trail connects to Hasslers Trail and leads you to Dusky-footed Woodrat Trail. Not only the name is a mouthful, but at 2.2 miles, this is the longest trail in this park. By the way - dusky-footed woodrats are nocturnal rodents. The first mile or so of this long trail on the ridge top is in an open rocky terrain with views of hillside and canyons. 

The second half of Woodrat Trail travels through wooded forests and it ends at Polly Geraci Trail. You could turn left here and trek the half mile to the parking lot; Apollo and I headed right and uphill here. After about a mile, Polly Geraci Trail reaches Hassler Trail right by another entrance to the off-leash area for dogs.

Apollo was delighted to hike on his own for the next half mile, enjoying his freedom. We wrapped up the hike by descending the last half mile on Blue Oak Trail to reach the parking lot. 

Our 5.8 mile loop involved climbing some 600 feet during the first 2.5 miles and another 300 feet on Polly Geraci Trail. 

Apart from Hassler Rd, which happens to be a black-top road in bad repair, all other trails are either single track or slightly wider dirt trails that involve climbing up and down the hills in the preserve.

More pictures from our hike today.
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