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Hikes in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
Gateways To Joy
Gateways To Joy
Bay Area Hikes
Bay Area Hikes
Hikes in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
1 Jan 2012
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is the first park I visited when I started hiking in 2009. A popular destination in the preserve is Black Mountain. There are two trailheads, each offering multiple routes to Black Mountain.

Best Months to Visit: All trails except White Oaks Trail are in the open, so avoid summers. Trails get muddy during rainy season. Best times are spring, after rains, and winters.

Hikes from Page Mill Road

Most hikers who visit Monte Bello park their cars in the parking lot on Page Mill Road. There are many trails that go to Black Mountain, resulting in many possible routes. From Black Mountain, it is possible to continue further along Monte Bello Road and explore Waterwheel Creek Trail.

5.2 miles
700 ft
 Black Mountain from Page Mill Road - Route I
The shortest possible route is along Bella Vista and Old Ranch trails.

6.4 miles
1200 ft
 Black Mountain from Page Mill Road - Route II
A variation on the shortest possible route, returning via Stevens Creek Nature Trail.

7.0 miles
1500 ft
 Black Mountain from Page Mill Road - Route III
This route goes via White Oak Trail, which is a shaded, pleasant trail.

9.8 miles
2000 ft
 Black Mountain from Page Mill Road - Route IV
This route explores trails lying to the east of Black Mountain also, including Waterwheels Creek Trail.

Hikes from Skyline Blvd

Hikes from Skyline Blvd start in Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve.

6.4 miles
1600 ft
 Black Mountain from Skyline Blvd - Route I
The shortest route to Black Mountain is along Skid Road Trail and Indian Creek Trail.

8.2 miles
1700 ft
 Black Mountain from Skyline Blvd - Route II
A variation on the route above that also explores the eastern section of Monte Bello, including Waterwheel Creek Trail.

10.5 miles
2100 ft
 Black Mountain from Skyline Blvd - Route III
A loop that includes Black Mountain, going via Monte Bello parking lot on Page Mill Road.

12.3 miles
2300 ft
 Black Mountain from Skyline Blvd - Route IV
A variation on the route above that also explores the eastern section of Monte Bello, including Waterwheel Creek Trail.

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