Type: Paved Path, Point-to-point
Difficulty: 4 / 10
Dog Friendly: No
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Unknown
Filed Under: Running
Great for runners who want an easy but beautiful run, and parents running with children in tow.
Sawyer Camp Trail is one of the most popular recreation paths in the Bay Area. The southern end is in San Mateo, the northern end is in Millbrae. So you can go out-and back-from either end, any distance up to twelve miles (six miles out, six miles back). There are easy-to-spot mile-markers every half mile. the southern end is fairly flat, with slight rolling hills. The northern end has a few more substantial hills.
The trail is multi-use; expect to encounter walkers, runners, inline skaters, cyclists, and parents with strollers. The wide paved trail is split down the middle like a road; do stay to the right to avoid a collision with other trail users.
The ends of the trail tend to be crowded with people going out for short distances; closer to the middle, you may be alone for short stretches. This is a very safe trail, though of course runners should always be alert, particularly on more isolated sections of trail.
The views are gorgeous. Crystal Springs Reservoir shines to the left, although access is prohibited. The trail stretches from the shores of Crystal Springs Reservoir to San Andreas Lake, through protected San Francisco Watershed lands. The trail occasionally drifts inland, away from the water for short stretches, but then returns to offer fabulous views across the reservoir to the off-limits western hills.
Benches sit along the sides of the trail in several spots, allowing for rest or lunch breaks.
Plants include Willow, dogwood, ash, cottonwood, poison oak, coast live oak, California bay, Monterey pine, madrone, cypress, buckeye, honeysuckle, toyon, and coyote brush. Animals you may see include occasional deer, rabbits, lizards, birds. Expect occasional gnats.
Wear sunscreen or bring a hat on a sunny day.
Sawyer Camp has roadside parking at each end. No entrance or parking fees. Pit toilets just inside the entrance gate, and at several other locations along the trail. Pay phone near entrance. Drinking water near the trail's half-way point, at the Jepson Laurel Area. Designated handicapped parking spots. Trail is wheelchair accessible. No direct public transportation to trailhead. Dogs are not permitted. Trail is open from sunrise to sunset.
See also http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/sawyercamp.html and http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/smc/department/home/0,,55566871230599312328403,00.html.
TO GET THERE: From Highway 280 in San Mateo County, exit Hayne Road/Black Mountain Road (if you're approaching northbound, turn left at the end of the exit ramp). Drive south on Skyline Boulevard about 1.3 miles, to the trail entrance on the right (west) side of the road. ONCE YOU'RE THERE: Run out and back from either northern end or southern end. There are no intersecting trails, so you won't get lost!
Posted by: Unknown and last modified on Feb 02, 2006 by thoos
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