Eaton Park, Big Canyon Park 2015-07-08

Eaton Park and Big Canyon Park in San Carlos, located off Hwy 280 & Edgewood Road on Brittan Ave, are more than merely neighborhood parks. Combining a hike in both of these parks can provide an interesting walk on rugged mountain terrain with some excellent views of the bay. I had intended to hike both parks on the same day, but as it turned out, I had to do them on two separate days. On both days, I parked on Brittan Ave right by the entrance to both parks. Combining these hikes together can make for a nice 6 mile loop with a decent cardio workout climbing some stairs and going uphill along the way.

Eaton Park 2015-07-03

Jaya and Jana joined us on the hike today. It turned out that we had a late start and it was a warm summer day, so we were able to explore Eaton Park and just a little of Big Canyon Park. Right opposite Big Canyon Park, there is a sign that points to Eaton Park. The trail can be reached by climbing a flight of stairs. Do familiarize yourself with the way the trails are laid out from the map by the stairs. 

The trails are not named. What we did today covered most of the trails in Eaton Park, starting from the Brittan Ave trail head. The dirt trails are single-track and shaded for the most part. We stayed left at the first fork, some 0.4 miles into the hike. At the second fork less than a quarter-mile from here, we turned right. The trail to the left will lead you to the Tramanto Dr trail head. 

Exploring further, we reached a spot with a sign board to the other three trail heads - by Brittan Ave, Loma Dr, and Eaton Ave. All these sections are all quite small and can be easily explored in one stretch.

We were back at the Brittan Ave trail head about an hour into the hike. We explored the park on the other side of the road briefly before deciding to call it a day as a group. Overall, we covered 3.2 miles at a leisurely pace in 1h:24m.

Few more pictures from Eaton Park hike.

Big Canyon Park 2015-07-08

As with Eaton Park, the trails in Big Canyon Park are also not named. The terrain is quite similar to Eaton Park. As you walk in from Brittan Ave, you will notice two sign boards marking the start of the trails. Apollo and I started off hiking by the trail on our left.

The first three-fourths of a mile or so involves climbing some 300 feet on a rugged, single-track dirt trail up the mountains. The well-shaded trail is quite picturesque with occasional but nice views of the gorges and the distant bay. A mile from the start, you will come up on a fork. If you take the one on the right, it will quickly loop you back to the start, making it a 1.5 mile loop at best.

We took the trail on the left and continued for another quarter-mile or so before reaching another fork. The one on the right has multiple steps. We again stayed to the left. This stretch goes through the mountains and crosses a water drain with a narrow, ladder-like steps. About 0.4 miles from the second fork, this trail ends.

Apollo and I turned back and when we reached the second fork, took the steps down. In a short while, this trail will run by Brittan Ave and lead you to the trail head and complete a nice loop. All told, this was a 2.8 mile hike which we completed in less than an hour.

Some more pictures from Big Canyon Park hike.

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