Owl-Buckeye Canyons Ridge

Overview

The San Bruno Mountain Ecological Reserve, which is managed by the California Department of Fish and Game, is a recognized botanical hot spot with hundreds of different varieties of plants--many rare and endangered. It is also home to large numbers of butterflies, including rare or endangered types. A biologist doing research there told me that this this is some of the finest native grasslands in California.<br><br>The trail starts on Quarry Road at an Ecological Reserve boundary sign, just east of the small concrete catch basin where Owl Creek meets the creek coming down from the Quarry. The first part of the trail climbs through the center of reserve. However, much of the ridge is grassland, in contrast to the canyons on both sides, which are heavily covered with trees and brush. The trail is generally steep, and very steep in some places. It climbs out of the reserve and on up to the Ridge Trail in San Bruno Mountain State and County Park. The center of the trail goes though a large patch of blue blossom. It was clear in the early spring, but by mid-May, the branches at arm height were encroaching on the trail.<br><br>The upper end of this trail starts from the San Bruno Mountain Ridge Trail, about half-way between the 1.0 and 1.5 mile markers. The start is on a small hill just east of a large rock that is on the San Francisco side of the ridge.<br><br>I like this trail because it has a wilderness feel, with views up the wild Owl and Buckeye canyons to the top of the ridge. There are times in the spring and summer when the flowers are magnificent. At the right time, large areas of the hills are golden, because they are covered with Lasthenia californica (Goldfields). After a couple of weeks, while the goldfields remain, they are less visible because other grasses and flowers have grown taller. On clear days, there are spectacular the views of San Francisco and the Bay.<br><br>About 100 yards up from Quarry Road, the Owl Trail branches off to the right (west). It goes up into the Owl Canyon portion of the Eco

Trail Stats

Photos

Near top to trail on ridge between Owl and Buckeye canyons

Near top to trail on ridge between Owl and Buckeye canyons

Upper section of Owls Canyon

Upper section of Owls Canyon

Goldfields and San Francisco Skyline

Goldfields and San Francisco Skyline

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