Rugged terrain and panoramic views abound in this hike.

Location: Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve — Lexington Reservoir County Park

» Official Trail Map: Good map with various trails.

Route in brief: Priest Rock Trail (2.4 miles) to reach an intersection with Limekiln Trail. Continue along Priest Rock Trail (1.4 miles) to reach an intersection with Kennedy Trail. Retrace your steps along Priest Rock Trail (1.4 miles) → right on Limekiln Trail (2.2 miles) → Alma Bridge Road (0.4 miles).

Location: along Alma Bridge Road, near Lexington Reservoir, Los Gatos, CA 95033 . No street address. Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: From CA-17 South, take Bear Creek Road Exit. Turn right onto Bear Creek Rd / Gillian Cichowski Memorial Overcrossing. Turn left onto CA-17 North ramp to Alma Bridge Rd / San Jose. Merge onto CA-17 N. Within half a mile, turn right onto Alma Bridge Road. Continue driving 1.6 miles, past Lexington Reservoir parking lot, to the point where Priest Rock Trail starts. About 5 to 6 cars may be parked in front of the trailhead. There is a large parking lot called 'Banjo Point', about 0.3 miles south of the trailhead: see Trail Map for Lexington Reservoir for its location.

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: None (last visited: November 2010)

Capacity: About 5 to 6 cars may be parked at Priest Rock trailhead. About 0.3 miles south of the trailhead, there is a parking lot called Banjo Point where dozens of cars may be parked.

Latitude: 37.195801     Longitude: -121.984044