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 (1.2 + 1.2 + 1.4 miles) → right on Kennedy Trail (1.4 miles) → right on Limekiln Trail (2.9 + 1.4 + 0.8 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