![](/images/cat_icons/public-access.gif) Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve - Santa Clara County, CA
Posted by: DougK
N 37° 10.521 W 121° 51.861
10S E 600814 N 4114928
Sierra Azul means "blue range" in Spanish. The Sierra Azul in Santa Clara County, California is managed by the Mid-Peninsula Open Space District.
Waymark Code: WM7D3N
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 10/07/2009
Views: 3
Coordinates are given for the SA06 entrance gate near Hicks Road and Mt. Umunhum Road. This is a mountain bike trailhead.
Sierra Azul means "blue range" in Spanish. There are four distinct areas within Sierra Azul.
• Kennedy-Limekiln Area is the most popular area. It is accessible from Kennedy Road in Los Gatos and from Highway 17, adjacent to Lexington Reservoir County Park and St. Joseph's Open Space Preserve. The 2,982-acre area includes 15 miles of strenuous loop trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians.
• Mt. Umunhum Area features the 3,486-foot mountain named after the Ohlone Indian word for "resting place of the hummingbird". This 10,552-acre area includes the
former Almaden Air Force Station. There is currently no public access to the top of Mt. Umunhum, due to toxic contaminants and intervening private properties.
• Cathedral Oaks Area is not currently accessible because it is entirely surrounded by private property.
• Rancho de Guadalupe Area is also not available for publis access yet.
A Sierra Azul Map in PDF format is available online.
Estimated size of the public land (in regional measurement standard: hectares, acres, kms, etc.): 17,400 acres of mostly rugged and steep terrain
![](/images/spacer.gif) Is there a trail system?: Yes
![](/images/spacer.gif) If there is a trail system, please describe length, terrain, etc.: • The Kennedy-Limekiln trail loop covers over 14 miles and includes 2,000-foot elevation gains.
• The Woods Trail is 6.2 miles long and goes over 3,000-foot Mt. El Sombroso, through deep ravines.
• The Priest Rock Trail is an energetic 5 mile trail with 800-foot elevation gains.
• Off of Mt. Umunhum Road is a short 0.5-mile trail leading to Bald Mountain, a grassy hillside offering expansive views of the Almaden Valley and the Mt. Hamilton range to the east.
![](/images/spacer.gif) What points of interest are there?: vistas, overlooks, mountain top, ravines
![](/images/spacer.gif) What activities are available?: Hiking, dirt road bicycling, horseback riding
Dogs only on leashes allowed in the Kennedy-Limekiln Area
![](/images/spacer.gif) Hours of accessibility?: daylight, half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset
![](/images/spacer.gif) List of known hazards (cliffs, snakes, poison plants, etc.): poison oak, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, steep ravines
![](/images/spacer.gif) Dogs Allowed?: Yes
![](/images/spacer.gif) Is a permit/fee required?: No
![](/images/spacer.gif) Please supply the website of the land if available: [Web Link]
![](/images/spacer.gif) If a permit/fee is required please describe in detail how to get one, how much, etc.: Not listed
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Visit Instructions: Visitors are encouraged to supply a picture of either themselves or their GPS at the trailhead and/or signage of the public access lands - describe your experience there and what you saw - tell us why other folks should come visit!
Recent Visits/Logs:
There are no logs for this waymark yet. |
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