Sunny Jim Trail

Overview

The parking lot for this trail is located along Skyline Boulevard close to the Christmas Tree Farm. The Sunny Jim Trail departs from the same trailhead as the Ipiwa Trail and heads off to the left toward Horseshoe Lake. The dirt and gravel trail passes another parking area where horse trailers can be unloaded. <br><br>From here, the doublewide trail begins to climb above Horseshoe Lake, which sits off to the left of the trail. The trail climbs steeply at this point as it makes its way steadily uphill. At roughly half a mile, the trail crosses the Ipiwa Trail. If you take this trail to the right, it leads back to your car at the parking lot. <br><br>Continuing uphill, the trail climbs into the woods. As you climb, several paths lead off to the left providing access to the Butano View Trail, which runs along the other side of the ridge. Reaching the summit at roughly 0.8 miles, the trail descends through the woods and the shade. At roughly one mile, the trail does a hairpin turn and passes an old basketball court and an area where the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District stores some of the materials to maintain the trails. <br><br>From here, the trail descends into the maintenance facility. After a few turns, the trail passes the Ipiwa Trail again and approaches the Alpine Pond. A small side track leads to the pond while the main trail drops below the pond. It climbs back up the hill, briefly joins Alpine Pond Loop Trail, and then climbs to the left to Alpine Road. From here, you can turn around and follow the trail back to your car, or join up with the Ipiwa Trail and circle back to your car.

Trail Stats

Photos

The Skyline Field Office of the Midpen Regional Open Space District.

The Skyline Field Office of the Midpen Regional Open Space District.

The trail crosses the Sunny Jim Trail and proceeds to Alpine Pond.

The trail crosses the Sunny Jim Trail and proceeds to Alpine Pond.

The trail as it approaches Alpine Pond.

The trail as it approaches Alpine Pond.

The trail as it makes its way through the woods. The oak trees are large throughout the woods.

The trail as it makes its way through the woods. The oak trees are large throughout the woods.

The trail climbs up the hillside.

The trail climbs up the hillside.

A storage shed and an old basketball court come into view as you approach the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Skyline Field Office.

A storage shed and an old basketball court come into view as you approach the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Skyline Field Office.

First time at Skyline Ridge. Heading in!

First time at Skyline Ridge. Heading in!

The trail descends through the woods as it makes its way toward Alpine Pond.

The trail descends through the woods as it makes its way toward Alpine Pond.

The nature center is situated on the pond. It's an easy hike that's good for families.

The nature center is situated on the pond. It's an easy hike that's good for families.

The view of Horseshoe Lake from the trail.

The view of Horseshoe Lake from the trail.

Horseshoe Lake

Horseshoe Lake

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