My hiking activity has slowed down a lot in the last year or two. That's partly because age has slowed me down in general and partly because sometimes arthritis in my knee makes it painful. I try to keep active with frequent walks near home, but those wouldn't be of much interest for this blog. I've done quite a few hikes at Pleasanton Ridge, and I've always been curious about the northern half of the park, but to get there from the Foothill Staging Area would take a longer hike than I was willing to do. Then a couple of months ago, I heard that a new entrance to the park had opened further north on Foothill Road, and I wanted to check it out.
Monday, May 21, 2018 seemed like the perfect day to try it. The weather had been very cool and cloudy for a week or so, but this day began with sunshine. I drove to Pleasanton, south on Foothill Road, and then found Old Foothill Road, a narrow one-way road with parking along one side. I had no idea where the trail was and a pickup truck was backing down the road toward me, so I backed out and drove further south to the other end of Old Foothill at the Alviso Adobe. I parked there and walked up Old Foothill until I came to the Castleridge Entrance and the Courdet Trail. I expected a parking area, but the only parking was along the side of the road.
The trail started off steep, but after a quarter mile or so it became easier. Most of the trail had a fairly easy gradient, but climbs steadily for a couple of miles. The woods were beautiful with big oaks and bays and lots of ferns and wildflowers. Between the trees are views of the valley below which feels kind of like being in an airplane. I was surprised to find the trail quite busy with hikers and cyclists. It seems that local people have not wasted any time finding this spot.
I was looking forward to reaching the top of the ridge, but when I finally arrived, it felt a bit anticlimatic. The views were nice but the rolling hills of dry grass felt rather plain after all of the trees and flowers on the way up. I had thought about exploring some of the many trails branching out from that point, but the long climb had used up most of my energy. I did walk a short way both directions along the ridge just to see what was there. I was surprised to find that to the north the trail ended at a gate with a couple of large houses beyond. These must be at the top of Santos Ranch Road, a private drive that has been there for many years. The walk back down went quite pleasantly and I was soon back at the bottom.
This was really a great hike and it was easy to see why so many people were using it. I'll be likely to come back and do it again next time I feel energetic.
5.1 miles, 1100 ft. climb
