Weiler Ranch Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

If you park on Oddstead Road, there are no fees. There is a $5.00 fee if you drive through the entrance to the main parking area, which is next to the museum and picnic areas. No pets are allowed.

The Weiler Ranch trail is a gravel road that starts from Oddstead Road about 100 yards north of the main entrance to the park, just past the Catholic church. It is marked with mileage stakes every quarter mile. For the first 0.1 miles, the road passes about 40 foot above the green canyon of San Pedro Creek. It then passes a large maintenance yard. From there on, the trail is a gentle climb up a long meadow. There are several benches along the way. The steep hills on the south side that are densely covered with brush and trees. The north side is a little dryer and more open, with plenty of flowers. Once away from the maintenance yard, there is no sign of civilization in any direction, except for the road itself.

Just after the maintenance yard, the 1.4 mile Valley View Trail branches off to the north, climbs the ridge, and then returns to our trail at about the 0.6 mile point.

Just past the 0.75 mile stake, the trail crosses San Pedro Creek. The bridge is a beautiful spot underneath the trees, about 10-15 feet above the water. In mid-May 2019 the creek was still flowing quite well. Notice the large lady ferns near the creek on the west side of the bridge. There is no way down to the creek, here, or at any other point along the trail.

Just past the bridge you come to the junction with the Hazelnut Trail. A few feet farther, there is a bench in front of a 30 foot wide grassy path cut through the brush. That path goes about 200 yards away from the road. It is surrounded on all sides by thick creek dogwoods and other flowering plants. There is really nothing up this path, but if you bring a blanket, it would be a nice spot for a picnic, away from everyone else.

For the last 0.2 miles, the road cuts through the brush following the creek. It ends in a meadowy loop with 2 benches. You can return the way you came, or via the Hazelnut or Valley View trails.

There is an alternate starting point for the Weiler Ranch Trail. About 50 yards up the road from the park entrance, a paved bike path cuts off to the left. A short ways down that path, you'll see a 0.0 mile stake. This is synchronized with the other mileage stakes on the Weiler Ranch Trail. Cross the South Fork of San Pedro Creek and then turn left, crossing the Middle Fork, and join with the Weiler Ranch Trail just before the 0.25 mile sign.