Ramble from Rancho to Black Mountain

Join Docent Naturalists Nancy Weintraub, Nick Yatsko, Marie Faust Evitt, and Lindsay Joye on a challenging, moderately-paced trek up to Black Mountain in Montebello Preserve from the neighboring Rancho San Antonio Preserve. After a car shuttle to Deer Hollow Farm, you’ll begin the trek with a gentle ascent, then ramble up the High Meadow Trail to the "PG&E bench" for amazing vistas traversing woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral. You’ll then explore the less-traveled Quarry Trail leading to the steep Black Mountain Trail. Bring a lot of water and a lunch for a well-deserved rest stop at the summit of Black Mountain. The group will determine the route back to the farm (out-and-back or loop down Black Mountain to the Chamise Trail, adding two miles to the journey). Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after March 23 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close April 3 at 2:00 p.m.

Meet near the restroom at the bottom of the hill in the preserve parking lot farthest to the right. From I-280, take Foothill Boulevard south and turn right almost immediately onto Cristo Rey Drive. Continue about 1 mile, veer right around the traffic circle, and turn left into the park. After entering the preserve, turn right and drive approximately 0.3 miles to Lot 6. 

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Host or Publisher Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District