Novitiate Trail

Overview

The Novitiate Trail is located half a mile from the Lexington Reservoir on the Jones Trail. Breaking off to the right, the trail climbs steeply along a doubletrack dirt and gravel trail with a fence on the left hand side of the trail. Flowers and flowering bushes line both sides of the trail in the spring. At roughly a quarter of a mile, the Manzanita Trail cuts off to the right while the Novitiate Trail continues straight ahead. It passes an open area on the left before dropping down, cutting to the right, and starting to climb deeper into the preserve through the woods. Emerging from the woods, the trail climbs up the hillside where rabbits and birds can be seen along the trail moving between the bushes.<br><br>At roughly six-tenths of a mile, the Lower Brother's Bypass Trail cuts to the right and climbs to the Manzanita Trail while views of the San Jose area stretch out before you. The San Francisco Bay and hills on the east side of the bay can be seen in the distance. This is the high point of the trail and the best view. From here, most people take the Bypass Trail to the Manzanita Trail or return back to the Jones Trail instead of continuing onward. The trail transforms from rock and dirt to a grass as it descends toward the park boundary. Due to this section of the trail not getting a lot of foot traffic, it is overgrown, especially in the winter and spring as the plants along the trail grow.<br><br>Descending steeply in places, the trail makes its way through the woods until it reaches the park boundary. Some maps show the trail emerges on Foster Road, but all of the gates that lead out of the preserve are locked at the park boundary. At this point, the only option is to climb back up the hill to the Lower Brothers Bypass Trail, where you can either follow the Novitiate Trail back to the Jones Trail, or follow the Bypass Trail to some of the other trails in the preserve.

Trail Stats

Photos

The trail winds deeper into the preserve.

The trail winds deeper into the preserve.

Looking back up the hillside. Flowering plants can be seen in the spring.

Looking back up the hillside. Flowering plants can be seen in the spring.

The Novitiate Trail climbs from the Jones Trail higher into the preserve and provides access to the other trails.

The Novitiate Trail climbs from the Jones Trail higher into the preserve and provides access to the other trails.

The trail as it departs the Jones Trail and makes its way back toward the Lexington Reservoir.

The trail as it departs the Jones Trail and makes its way back toward the Lexington Reservoir.

The trail is sloped in places, which makes it a fun ride for mountain bikers.

The trail is sloped in places, which makes it a fun ride for mountain bikers.

As the trail descends along the backside of the preserve, it becomes less maintained since it dead ends at the edge of the preserve.

As the trail descends along the backside of the preserve, it becomes less maintained since it dead ends at the edge of the preserve.

The trail dead ends at private property on the park boundary.

The trail dead ends at private property on the park boundary.

The trail as it makes its way back downhill.

The trail as it makes its way back downhill.

The view from the trail's junction with the Lower Brother's Bypass Trail.

The view from the trail's junction with the Lower Brother's Bypass Trail.

A view from the hillside.

A view from the hillside.

Some sections of the trail can be eroded if its been raining.

Some sections of the trail can be eroded if its been raining.

Novitiate Trail as it moves through the woods. Rabbits and quail can be seen scurrying along the trail in this section.

Novitiate Trail as it moves through the woods. Rabbits and quail can be seen scurrying along the trail in this section.

The Lower Brothers Bypass Trail as it ascends from the Novitiate Trail.

The Lower Brothers Bypass Trail as it ascends from the Novitiate Trail.

The high point of the trail offers a great view of the San Jose area and mountains beyond.

The high point of the trail offers a great view of the San Jose area and mountains beyond.

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