A long hike to Black Mountain that also explores the eastern section of Monte Bello including Waterwheel Creek Trail.

Location: Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

» Official Trail Map: Good quality map showing various trails.

» South Skyline Regional Map by MROSD: Awesome map showing many parks managed by MROSD (Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space Destrict). Long, interesting routes going through multiple parks can be chalked out using this map.

» Redwoodhikes Trail Map: Great map showing many parks like Purisima Creek, Huddart, Wunderlich, El Corte De Madera, Foothills, Hidden Villa and Rancho San Antonio. Trail maps for individual parks are available online for free. However, the RedwoodHikes map shows the big picture and is helpful for planning hikes that go through multiple parks.

To Black Mountain (3.3 miles): From Monte Bello parking lot, follow Stevens Creek Nature Trail (1.7 miles) → right on Canyon Trail (0.2 miles) → left on Indian Creek Trail (1.2 miles) right on Monte Bello Road (0.2 miles) to reach Black Mountain.

Waterwheel Creek Trail (4.1 miles): From Black Mountain, follow Monte Bello Road (0.9 miles) → right on Waterwheel Creek Trail (1.5 miles) → left on Montebello Road (0.2 miles) → Monte Bello Road (1.5 miles) to reach Black Mountain.

To Parking Lot (2.4 miles): From Black Mountain, follow Monte Bello Road (0.2 miles) → left on Indian Creek Trail (0.2 miles) → right on Old Ranch Trail (0.6 miles) → left on Bella Vista Trail (0.8 miles) → right on Canyon Trail (0.6 miles) to reach the parking lot.

Notes: The hike has two climbs. The first climb is from the parking lot to Black Mountain. The second climb starts mid-way along Waterwheel Creek Trail, up to Black Mountain.

Location: along Page Mill Road, about seven miles south of Hwy 280 . No street address. Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: From Interstate 280, exit on Page Mill Road. Drive west on Page Mill about 7 miles, to the preserve entrance on the left side of the road (about 1 mile east of Skyline Boulevard).

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: None (last visited: September 2011)

Capacity: About 20 cars

Latitude: 37.325948     Longitude: -122.178552