Aquinas Trail

Overview

The Aquinas Trail begins at the park boundary gate at the end of Sheldon Road. The trail enters the woods and climbs gently at first along the hillsides. You pass by a gully where evidence of landslides sit above the trail. As the trail wraps around the hillside, flowers, like shooting stars, can be seen blooming in the spring. The first half mile is full of flowers in the early spring, making it popular for people who love flowers. <br><br>The trail begins to climb up the ridge as the woods begin to give way to chaparral environment. The trees give way to an open field where some limited views of the South Bay-area await you. Due to the amount of climbing that this trail does, it's popular with mountain bikers who ride down from the parking area on Montevina Road, so be on the lookout for riders.<br><br>At roughly 1.3 miles, the Serenity Trail breaks off to the left and descends to a vista point above Lexington Reservoir, although some of the view is obstructed by power lines and tree growth. The Aquinas Trail continues uphill, now without the cover of forest as it climbs the ridge line. The trail is washed out in a couple of places in the winter thanks to the rain, so watch your step. Off to the left of the trail, you can see the mountains and catch glimpses of Lexington Reservoir and homes that sit on the ridge line outside the preserve. <br><br>At roughly 1.9 miles, the Loma Vista Trail breaks off to the right and begins to descend to the park boundary. Because this trail dead-ends at a chain link fence, the best views are in the first 0.1 miles of the trail. <br><br>From here, you have roughly two miles to the parking area at the top of Montevina Road. Views continue to improve as you climb, with St. Joseph's Preserve and Lexington Reservoir spreading out before you across CA17. You can admire how far you have come as the trail snakes its way along the ridge below you. <br><br>At 2.75 miles, you enter the shade of the woods again for a little bit, so enjoy the break from the sun, especiall

Trail Stats

Photos

The Serenity Trail turns to gravel briefly before turning back into dirt and descending from the ridge.

The Serenity Trail turns to gravel briefly before turning back into dirt and descending from the ridge.

Enjoy smooth trail as it makes its way along the ridge.

Enjoy smooth trail as it makes its way along the ridge.

Lexington Reservoir is slightly obscured from this view, but spreads out before you.

Lexington Reservoir is slightly obscured from this view, but spreads out before you.

The trail enters the woods, where relief from the sun awaits.

The trail enters the woods, where relief from the sun awaits.

Enjoy copious views of Silicon Valley from the Aquinas Trail.

Enjoy copious views of Silicon Valley from the Aquinas Trail.

Flowers bloom within the first 1.5 miles of the trail. It's great in the early spring.

Flowers bloom within the first 1.5 miles of the trail. It's great in the early spring.

The trail moves through a small meadow between the chaparral and the woods.

The trail moves through a small meadow between the chaparral and the woods.

Homes sit right outside the preserve in the hills above Lexington Reservoir.

Homes sit right outside the preserve in the hills above Lexington Reservoir.

On clear days, the green mountains and the blue of Lexington Reservoir make for great photos, especially late in the day.

On clear days, the green mountains and the blue of Lexington Reservoir make for great photos, especially late in the day.

The Aquinas Trail can be seen snaking along the ridge below you in El Sereno Open Space.

The Aquinas Trail can be seen snaking along the ridge below you in El Sereno Open Space.

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