SAN JOSE
– Santa Clara County’s first open space preserve, Rancho Canada
del Oro, is now ready for the public.
The Santa Clara County Open Space Preserve, which owns and
maintains the 3,017-acre area just south of Calero Reservoir,
opened the Longwall Canyon Trail (2.7 miles) and Bald Peaks Trail
(1.1 miles) on Saturday.
SAN JOSE – Santa Clara County’s first open space preserve, Rancho Canada del Oro, is now ready for the public.
The Santa Clara County Open Space Preserve, which owns and maintains the 3,017-acre area just south of Calero Reservoir, opened the Longwall Canyon Trail (2.7 miles) and Bald Peaks Trail (1.1 miles) on Saturday. Both meander through oak woodlands and by canyon walls offering a beautiful view of the South County area.
The preserve differs from county parks because it must protect the area’s ecosystems and offers limited public access.
“We provide mainly passive recreation trails,” said Open Space Preserve general manager Patrick Congdon. “You won’t find playgrounds or ball fields here.”
The landscape is unique because it offers access to old oak trees and native grasslands which people don’t often see, said Lauren Crook, Open Space Preserve office manager. Most of the preserve’s trails follow an existing road, but a few miles had to be built. Congdon, spent several weekends working on the area and celebrated last weekend by hiking the completed trails.
Both trails are currently accessible through Calero County Park and are open to hikers and equestrians. There is parking and a trail head at Calero Stables. Guests must follow Calero’s Bald Peaks Trail or Serpentine Loop Trail to the preserve trails. The loop from the park to the preserve and back is about 10 miles.
“The equestrians definitely have it easier, but not everyone has a horse,” Crook said. “We’d like people to be able to access our preserve without the huge investment in time,” she said.
The Open Space Authority plans to provide direct access to its trails within a year and a half. The staging area will be located at Casa Loma Road and will offer parking, restrooms, information about the preserve and trail head.
They also hope to hold a dedication ceremony when the weather cools down.
“In August, it’s a hot hike,” Crook said. “A dedication ceremony could be very unpleasant.” The Santa Clara County Open Space Authority acquired Rancho Canada del Oro with the help of the Peninsula Open Space Trust and the city of San Jose.
