Hiking and Exploring Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve

We recently visited Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve twice, and it became a new weekend favorite for us. 

Ipiwa Trail to Alpine Pond 

This hike can be challenging for children, but with breaks and a visit to the nature center, it's pretty great.

When entering the park, turn right to the main parking lot. The hike is about 1.3 miles from one parking lot to another, or 2.6 miles loop, and offer gentle slopes, good combination of shade and open trails, great views and spectacular nature.

Start from the Skyline parking lot and follow the Ipiwa trail. After about half-mile slope, the hike become easier for little feet. 

After 1.2 miles you'll get to the Alpine Pond. Take time to explore! We saw newts, turtle and crayfish in the water.

After exploring the pond, check out the David C. Daniels Nature Center. 
It seems like a small room, but lots to explore! Kids will enjoy the "Please Touch" approach of the center: wildlife skulls and skins, feathers, bones and more. 

The "Build a Pond" wall was a huge success with Daniel! He learned about the pond animals, the food chain and more. 

If you want to get to the pond and nature center, but don't think your children will enjoy the hike - you can park in the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve parking lot located on the corner of the Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Page Mill/Alpine Road intersection (across Skyline Boulevard on the right) and walk through the pedestrian tunnel to the Nature Center.

Horseshoe Lake
If you'll turn left to the other parking lot, you'll reach a 1.3 mile trail around the Horseshoe lake.

This is one of the nicest easy hikes in the area. It is great for any ability, and it's stroller friendly. 
The walk is very easy and the trail is flat and well maintained. 

This is a loop trail, which will circle the lake and eventually return you to where you started.

Happy trails!