Bald Peaks Trail

Overview

Bald Peaks Trail is all about VIEWS! It is a wide, open, high-ridge trail through Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve and Calero County Park. The whole San Francisco Bay Area including farmland south of San Jose can be seen. To the right (southwest) are the Santa Cruz Mountains with views of Loma Prieta, Mt. Umunhum, and many more. To the left (northeast across the Bay) is the Diablo Range including Mt. Hamilton. Closer up, one can see the Santa Teresa Hills and Coyote Peak. Below the trail is Calero Reservoir and Almaden Valley. Enjoy!<br><br>The starting point of Bald Peaks Trail is accessed by Longwall Canyon Trail. From the Rancho Canada del Oro parking area, hike 2.9 miles up Longwall Canyon Trail to its end at Bald Peaks Trail. From here, Bald Peaks Trail is a wide trail over grassy terrain. The trail climbs almost unnoticeably, because you'll be too busy marvelling at views to notice this one-third-mile uphill to the trail's high point.<br><br>From its high point, Bald Peaks Trail gradually descends, with continual awesome views in all directions, to its junction with Catamount Trail about one mile from the Bald Peaks Trail starting point. As the trail continues, so do the views. The trail soon crosses into Calero County Park and passes Chisnantuck Peak Trail to the left. <br><br>Continuing to descend gradually over the grassy terrain with views in all directions, Bald Peaks Trails then passes Needlegrass Trail to the right. After Needlegrass Trail, Bald Peaks Trail continues to descend, although now through sections of oak trees among the grassy terrain. After about another 0.6 miles, the trail passes Canada del Oro Trail and Canada del Oro Cutoff Trail to the left.<br><br>Bald Peaks Trail ends at Little Llagas Creek Trail. Hike down Little Llagas Creek Trail and Little Llagas Creek Trail Access for a little over a mile to return to the Rancho Canada del Oro parking area.

Trail Stats

Photos

Mt. Umunhum of the Santa Cruz Mountains, in the distance (left center) when looking west from Bald Peaks Trail.

Mt. Umunhum of the Santa Cruz Mountains, in the distance (left center) when looking west from Bald Peaks Trail.

Emerging from the oak and manzanita woods on Canada del Oro Trail, to meet Bald Peaks Trail

Emerging from the oak and manzanita woods on Canada del Oro Trail, to meet Bald Peaks Trail

The hills of Central California seem to go on forever, when looking south from Bald Peaks Trail

The hills of Central California seem to go on forever, when looking south from Bald Peaks Trail

Enjoy expansive views of the valley from the top of the hill near the picnic bench.

Enjoy expansive views of the valley from the top of the hill near the picnic bench.

In the distance, Santa Cruz Mountains - Loma Prieta (left) and Mt. Umunhum (right), looking west-southwest from Bald Peaks Trail, on a sunny summer day.

In the distance, Santa Cruz Mountains - Loma Prieta (left) and Mt. Umunhum (right), looking west-southwest from Bald Peaks Trail, on a sunny summer day.

Countryside seen when looking southeast from high on Bald Peaks Trail.

Countryside seen when looking southeast from high on Bald Peaks Trail.

Calero Reservoir with the Santa Teresa Hills behind it, and the Diablo Range in the distance, looking northeast from high on Bald Peaks Trail

Calero Reservoir with the Santa Teresa Hills behind it, and the Diablo Range in the distance, looking northeast from high on Bald Peaks Trail

Loma Prieta at 3,786 ft., and other Santa Cruz Mountains are the backdrop to the grass and wooded hills of Rancho Canada del Oro, looking southwest from Bald Peaks Trail

Loma Prieta at 3,786 ft., and other Santa Cruz Mountains are the backdrop to the grass and wooded hills of Rancho Canada del Oro, looking southwest from Bald Peaks Trail

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