31 min
Overview
To access the Crazy Pete Road Trail, take Page Mill Road to Skyline Boulevard, and take a right, traveling past a Vista Point and parking area of Russia Ridge. Shortly after the parking lot, there is a pullout right before Crazy Pete Road, where you can pull over and park your car. The trail follows the road for about .4 of a mile as it descends into Coal Creek Open Space Preserve. There are several private residences along the road, so be on the lookout for cars driving along the road. <br><br>Around .3 miles, there is a view of a barn and the surrounding hills that is worth stopping to take a look at. Continuing straight ahead, the trail passes through a gate system and transforms from gravel to dirt as it comes to a fork, where the Coal Road Trail breaks off to the right while the Crazy Pete Road Trail continues straight ahead. There is an information board here where you can pick up maps of the area and learn about what is going on in the preserve. <br><br>The trail descends steeply at this point until it reaches .7 miles, where it begins to level off. There are some obstructed views of the South San Francisco Bay at this point, but no sweeping vistas. Shaded by the oak and madrone forest around you, this is a pleasant hike even in the middle of the day with the sun overhead. Due to the elevation difference and location in the mountains, it is also several degrees cooler than the valley below.<br><br>At around .9 miles, the Coal Road Trail breaks off to the right and climbs back to the trailhead, which makes for a nice round-trip hike. The Crazy Pete Road Trail continues straight ahead, although more level at this point. A bridge crosses a stream at 1.1 miles, which can be flowing year round. In the spring or after a major rain storm, a waterfall is visible off to the right of the trail while the water continues to make its way through a gully on the left side of the trail. <br><br>The trail wraps around the ridge and finally emerges at Alpine Road, which at this point is a dirt road used heavily by moun
Trail Stats
2.0 km
16 m
655 m
516 m
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Photos
The road enters a forest of oak and madrone trees. Moss grows on the trees, and provides shade throughout the trail.
The road enters a forest of oak and madrone trees. Moss grows on the trees, and provides shade throughout the trail.
Due to the wet environment, mushrooms can be found growing beside the trail throughout the year.
Due to the wet environment, mushrooms can be found growing beside the trail throughout the year.
The trail begins to ascend up the mountain, but the dirt, grass, and leaves make for pleasant going.
The trail begins to ascend up the mountain, but the dirt, grass, and leaves make for pleasant going.
The trail as it climbs up a small hill after passing the Coal Road Trail split.
The trail as it climbs up a small hill after passing the Coal Road Trail split.
Coal Road Trail breaks off to the right and climbs back to the entrance. The grade is less steep than retracing your steps.
Coal Road Trail breaks off to the right and climbs back to the entrance. The grade is less steep than retracing your steps.
Coal Road Trail as it departs from the Crazy Pete's Road Trail.
Coal Road Trail as it departs from the Crazy Pete's Road Trail.
The trail climbs back to the junction with the Crazy Pete's Road Trail.
The trail climbs back to the junction with the Crazy Pete's Road Trail.
While the majority of the trail is wide, it is used by equestrians and mountain bikers, which leads to certain portions of the trail being more well worn than others.
While the majority of the trail is wide, it is used by equestrians and mountain bikers, which leads to certain portions of the trail being more well worn than others.
Nothing more than a trickle at this point, after a rainstorm or in the spring this small creek forms a waterfall as the water makes its way downhill.
Nothing more than a trickle at this point, after a rainstorm or in the spring this small creek forms a waterfall as the water makes its way downhill.
A view of this barn and the surrounding hills sits off to the left of the trail as you descend into the preserve. It is closed to the public.
A view of this barn and the surrounding hills sits off to the left of the trail as you descend into the preserve. It is closed to the public.
This small bridge passes over a small creek in the fall and offers views of a small waterfall on the uphill side.
This small bridge passes over a small creek in the fall and offers views of a small waterfall on the uphill side.
Around .4 miles, the road ends, and you pass through this gate system. The Coal Road Trail breaks off to the right shortly after passing through, while the Crazy Pete's Road Trail continues straight ahead.
Around .4 miles, the road ends, and you pass through this gate system. The Coal Road Trail breaks off to the right shortly after passing through, while the Crazy Pete's Road Trail continues straight ahead.
Even though most of the views are obstructed, you can see Stanford and the surrounding South Bay area from parts of the trail.
Even though most of the views are obstructed, you can see Stanford and the surrounding South Bay area from parts of the trail.