59 min
Overview
Needlegrass Trail starts from the Longwall Canyon Trail and climbs to the Bald Peaks Trail. To get to Needlegrass Trail, hike 0.6 miles up Longwall Canyon Trail from its trailhead near the Rancho Canada del Oro parking area, and go right at the post marking Needlegrass Trail.<br><br>From the start, the trail heads uphill over grassy terrain intermixed with large stands of primarily oak trees. After about 0.2 miles, the trail levels off for a short ways before resuming the climb. As Needlegrass Trail climbs, views unfold to the southwest, south, and southeast. Loma Prieta and the Santa Cruz Mountains can be seen to the southwest, while the grass-and-oak studded hills, typical of this area of California, can also be seen.<br><br>The trees thin about 0.4 miles before reaching Bald Peaks Trail. Then just before the Bald Peaks Trail junction, the view of the Diablo Range across the Bay emerges to the northeast.
Trail Stats
2.0 km
222 m
455 m
232 m
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Photos
Heading up to Bald Peaks Trail, on Needlegrass Trail.
Heading up to Bald Peaks Trail, on Needlegrass Trail.
Loma Prieta in the distance, at 3,786 ft., the highest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with nearby trails far below, seen looking southwest from high on Needlegrass Trail.
Loma Prieta in the distance, at 3,786 ft., the highest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with nearby trails far below, seen looking southwest from high on Needlegrass Trail.