Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
Featured Trail: Alpine Pond Loop
Palo Alto, Ca. foothills
| Distance | Difficulty Level | Elevation ( Min / Max ) |
Bicycles | Dogs | Equestrian | Backpacking | Remarks |
| 0.7 | Level: 1 Very easy hike. Excellent for children of all ages. |
2200 -- 2200 | No | No | No | No | Children: Nature center is stroller friendly. Toilet located nearby. Bicycles: Allowed on this trail. Horses: Allowed on this trail but staging area is located at nearby Skyline Ridge Preserve. Dogs: Allowed in park but not on this trail. The area around the nature center is stroller friendly and wheelchair accessible. There is a toilet in the parking area and about fifty-yards further down the trail. |
Trail Map
Featured Trail Introduction: Very nice hike for children of all ages. Walk around Alpine Lake and see aquatic birds. At the pond you will find a nature center. There is a telescope at the nature center where you can get a close up view of the aquatic birds swimming in the lake. Also, there is a trail that that follows the small Alpine Pond.
Featured Trail: Follow trail marked in "Red" starting at Note 1.
Important Trail Notes
- Note 1: Find your way to highway 9 using the Google map (above). (Use the + and - signs to change the map area. Use your mouse to drag the map to another location). Russian Ridge parking area is located on the northwest corner of the Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Page Mill / Alpine Road intersection (across Skyline Boulevard on the right).
Parking: The parking area is free but the parking area is small. If the lot is full, it is possible to find parking along Highway 35.
Trail head: The trail head is "Alpine Pond" trail. From the parking area find the tunnel going under Alpine Road. Then follow the trail a short distance to the pond.
Toilet: There is a clean flushing toilet in the restroom.
Map: There are normally free maps available in the parking area - Note 2: A few yards down the trail is a toilet.
Getting There
Russian Ridge parking area is located on the northwest corner of the Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Page Mill / Alpine Road intersection (across Skyline Boulevard on the right).Google Map