You are rewarded with panoramic views of Mount Umunhum, the Santa Clara Valley, and the Inner and Outer Coast Ranges on this long trek through the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s largest preserve. Beginning along the lower wooded slopes of Mount Umunhum, the trail climbs to a chaparral landscape up Mount El Sombroso. The remainder of the route undulates northwest over rugged hills and makes a long 3.9-mile descent to Lexington Reservoir. Choose a cool day to hike or ride this exposed fire road.

(This trail description is excerpted from the 2019 Guidebook. For details on all trails, trailheads, and more, buy the book from Wilderness Press. For more resources to plan your trip, visit our Trail Tools page.)