Trip Notes - Sam McDonald County Park: Heritage Grove Loop

Photo: Jackie, Eric, Steve & Kimberly on Towne Fire Road.

Status: Pescadero Creek Park encompasses Sam McDonald and Heritage Grove Parks.

Description: Several routes were taken by different groups. The length was between 10.5 and 11.5 miles. Elevation change was 900-1000'.

Trail Head: Heritage Grove off of Alpine Road in Sam McDonald County Park in San Mateo.

Trail head elevation: 600 ft., highest point: 1309 ft. near Hiker's Hut. Lowest point: 250 ft near Hoffman Flat.

Fees: None, because we parked at Heritage Grove trail head.

Flora: Forests of Oxalis in bloom, Trillium, Milkmaids.

Fauna: Two Garter snakes.

Dinner: The Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant across the alley form Piccolo Ristorante in Menlo Park.

Participants: (18) Barb Hayes, Kimberly Bray, Jackie Lederle, Steve Fotheringham, Stefanie Rochow, Deanna Halle, Tracy Crowley, Ken Keith, Tom & Connie Metz, Rachel & Josh Golding, Don Mulcahy, Rachel DeCarlo, Gerry Fait.

Comments: We took the wrong trail right away but it was beautiful and it lead us to the Sam McDonald Park entrance bathrooms. Nick took his group down to almost Hoffman Flat. We all took the Bravo Fire Road back which shaved off a couple of miles. The forested areas were very wet. Piccolo Ristaurante was small and full w/ 1.5 hours wait for our large group so we went across the street to Pho where the service was good.