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Hike through the upper reaches of the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve.


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Map Key

2.1

Miles

3.3

KM

Loop

2,205' 672 m

High

1,864' 568 m

Low

355' 108 m

Up

356' 109 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

La Honda Open Space Preserve is open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. In addition, to access the upper area of La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, you need a permit to access the parking area on Allen Road. Parking along Allen Road is not permitted. You can apply for the permit (which has the combination for the gate on the road) at openspace.org/visit-a-prese…

Need to Know

To access the upper area of La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, you need a permit to access the parking area on Allen Road. Parking along Allen Road is not permitted. You can apply for the permit (which has the combination for the gate on the road) at openspace.org/visit-a-prese…

There are no services in this part of the preserve, so bring any water or food that you need and practice Leave No Trace principles.

Description

The Coho Vista Loop Trail departs the parking lot and follows the paved road up the hill. Then it drops down past a private residence which sits off to the left and then breaks off to the right. The trail passes a maintenance shed and climbs the hill as it goes deeper into the preserve.

It transforms into a dirt road trail that works its way out through the old pastures and grasslands of the preserve. At half a mile, the Coho Vista Trail continues straight ahead while the Coho Vista Loop Trail breaks off to the right. The view along the ridge line at this point are nice and on clear days you can see the Pacific Ocean. From here, the trail drops down the hillside very steeply and winds its way around the hill.

Wildflowers can be seen along the trail in the winter and spring. The trail then starts to climb back up another hill and works its way back through the woods until it emerges at the parking lot. From here, you can continue to explore the preserve on the Cielo Trail across from the parking lot.

This is a nice loop trail that is about two miles along and provides great views.

Flora & Fauna

The grasslands allow you the opportunity to see deer feeding in the morning or evening. Hawks and Turkey vultures can be seen soaring above the preserve. The forests offer you an opportunity to see redwoods, as well as ferns and moss that cover the trees in this area.

Contacts

Shared By:

David Hitchcock

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#1

in Woodside

#16761

Overall
  4.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#1

in Woodside

#1,773

in California

#16,761

Overall
21 Views Last Month
162 Since Jan 3, 2021
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

The views as the trail approaches the ridge line are amazing. You can see the surrounding hills and Pacific Ocean on clear days.
Jan 4, 2021 near Portola…, CA
Looking back up the hillside that the trail descends, you can get some great views. If you prefer to climb hills, you can hike the trail in reverse.
Jan 4, 2021 near Portola…, CA
Flowers can be seen growing on the hillside in the winter.
Jan 4, 2021 near Portola…, CA

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