1.8 hr
Overview
This wild, remote trail was originally created to maintain the power lines that run just outside of, and below, the crest of the Peninsula Watershed. However, now even some of the parts that are not overgrown are so rough that I doubt that even a jeep could traverse them. There are no technical difficulties, but the trail is very strenuous, with many ups and downs so steep that footing is difficult. Just reaching the start of the trail requires a strenuous climb up Montara Mountain. <br><br>Previously, parts of the trail were totally overgrown, but recently a path was cut though the brush. Few know about the trail, so it is rarely used. There is not only no water and little shade on the trail, but neither are found on the long approach and exit trails. Carry more water than you think you'll need because dehydration could be fatal. <br><br>The trail starts just before the last switchback to the top of Montara Mountain. From there, a rough road drops into Montara Bowl. Just before the bottom, a trail has been partially cut through the creek willows. It goes up the bowl to the edge of the Watershed and then straight up the hill to a power pole in the notch east of South Peak. As of March 2019, the quarter mile at the bottom of the bowl and the first section climbing the hill need to be recut, or they will quickly be overgrown. However, volunteers will probably work on this in the next couple of months. <br><br>South Peak is one of my favorite spots\u2014very isolated with sweeping panoramas and a profusion of wildflowers. You cannot reach the actual top without wading through poison oak, but it is possible to hike around South Peak to the west side. From the notch, the trail drops sharply down about 500 feet in elevation to the power pole at the south-west boundary of the watershed. It was possible to get to this point in previous years, although it required some effort to squeeze through the brush and stay out of the poison oak. What is new is that a trail has been cut through the formally impenetrable brush that
Trail Stats
5.8 km
190 m
552 m
368 m
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Photos
Looking south towards Half Moon Bay and Ano Nuevo.
Looking south towards Half Moon Bay and Ano Nuevo.
Flowers everywhere in mid-late spring and early summer
Flowers everywhere in mid-late spring and early summer
Road covered with flowering grasses in late spring
Road covered with flowering grasses in late spring
Scarper Road was created to maintain the power lines. Because it runs below the SF Watershead and parallels the power lines, it has many steep ups and downs as it crosses gullies.
Scarper Road was created to maintain the power lines. Because it runs below the SF Watershead and parallels the power lines, it has many steep ups and downs as it crosses gullies.
Montara Knob and Peak Mtn from the Montara Bowl.
Montara Knob and Peak Mtn from the Montara Bowl.
Scarper Peak from below South Peak. Scarper Road runs downhill in the left foreground and then is the smaller road running up the center. The wide road on left side is in the San Francisco Watershead.
Scarper Peak from below South Peak. Scarper Road runs downhill in the left foreground and then is the smaller road running up the center. The wide road on left side is in the San Francisco Watershead.