27 min
Overview
The Marsh Pond Trail starts at the parking area in Byxbee Park and meanders around the edge of the marsh past Sea Scout Base and the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center until it arrives at the Sailing Station. The trail departs the parking area via a wide gravel trail and when it gets to the entrance to the preserve, the trail breaks off to the right and turns into a singletrack trail made of crushed oyster shell and decomposed granite. <br><br>Shortly after the trail changes to singletrack, there is a viewing platform on the right where you can see various types of birds and ducks feeding as the tides come in and out in the marsh in front of you. The tidal changes can cause the smell of mud to be strong at certain times, but it passes quickly. The wind blows off the bay, making it cool even if it is warm out. At 0.4 miles, the San Francisco Loop Trail breaks off to the left while the Marsh Front Trail continues to the left. A side trail to a parking area is passed shortly after this as you make your way toward Sea Scout Base. At roughly 0.65 miles, you arrive at Sea Scout Station, where the bikes are directed to go around the station while pedestrians can hike across the deck where views of the marsh spread out before you. <br><br>After another 0.2 miles, you cross a bridge and arrive at an intersection where to the left lies the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center. Here, you can learn more about the marshes and tidal basins, and hike out a boardwalk to the edge of the San Francisco Bay. The Marsh Front Trail turns to the right and meanders for another quarter of a mile out to the Sailing Station where you can watch wind surfers and kite boarders as they enjoy the San Francisco Bay. <br><br>There are several benches through this area where you can sit and enjoy views of Palo Alto and the Santa Cruz Mountains as they spread out before you. After you have enjoyed the views of the mountains and the San Francisco Bay, you can retrace your steps back to your car.
Trail Stats
1.8 km
2 m
3 m
2 m
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Photos
The trail is made up of decomposed granite and crushed oyster shells and makes its way along the edge of the marsh. The trail, shared by bikers, hikers, and runners, is wide enough for 2 people to pass each other, but that's about it.
The trail is made up of decomposed granite and crushed oyster shells and makes its way along the edge of the marsh. The trail, shared by bikers, hikers, and runners, is wide enough for 2 people to pass each other, but that's about it.
A jack rabbit hides in the tall grass along the trail. Be on the look out for ears, which stand above the grass.
A jack rabbit hides in the tall grass along the trail. Be on the look out for ears, which stand above the grass.
Looking over the marsh toward Byxbee Park.
Looking over the marsh toward Byxbee Park.
The waterways are subject to the tide, so the water may be up if you are there in high tide, or you may see more mud (like this) if you are there closer to low tide.
The waterways are subject to the tide, so the water may be up if you are there in high tide, or you may see more mud (like this) if you are there closer to low tide.
A view of the tidal marsh from the viewing platform. You can see the Sea Scout Station off in the distance.
A view of the tidal marsh from the viewing platform. You can see the Sea Scout Station off in the distance.
The dock at the sailing station with sweeping views.
The dock at the sailing station with sweeping views.
Views of the San Francisco Bay from the Sailing Station.
Views of the San Francisco Bay from the Sailing Station.
A snow egret feeds along the trail in the evening.
A snow egret feeds along the trail in the evening.