One of the steepest trails in the bay area offering panoramic valley views along the way.

Location: Uvas Canyon County Park

» Official Trail Map: Good map with various trails.

Route in brief: From the parking lot, walk about 0.2 miles along a paved road that takes you deeper into the park and locate the trailhead for Knibbs Knob (study the Official Trail Map for its location. Then follow Knibbs Knob Trail for 1.8 miles, all the way to the peak. Return by the same route.

Notes: Knibbs Knob Trail is one of the steepest trails in the bay area. It climbs steadily, sometimes steeply, along a wide multi-lane hiking trail, mostly in the open. Even after two weeks of rain in January, the trail was not muddy. We came across patches of snow at the top. The trailhead is about 0.2 miles away from the main parking lot, making the hike 4.0 miles long with 1700 ft elevation gain.

Location: 8515 Croy Road, Morgan Hill, California 95037 . Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: From 101-South, take exit 373 for Bailey Avenue. Turn right onto Bailey Avenue and drive for 3.2 miles. Turn left on McKean Road an drive for 2.4 miles. Continue onto Uvas Road and drive 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Croy Road (there is a sign for Uvas Canyon County Park at this junction) and drive for 4.4 miles to enter the park. The last couple of miles are along a narrow winding road.

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: $6 per vehicle (last visited: February 2012)

Capacity: Dozens of cars may be parked inside the park.

Latitude: 37.084741     Longitude: -121.792288