TrailStompers.com: San Francisco Bay Area Trail Running

Fremont Older OSP is located in the hills above Stevens Creek Reservoir, overlooking the entire South Bay Area.  The park is extremely accessible, located only minutes from the urban area.  There are about ten miles of trails, if you include the small section of lower Stevens Creek County Park that adjoins Fremont Older. Many of these trails are fire roads, with the exceptions being: Seven Springs Loop, the Toyon Trail, and the Stevens Creek / Tony Look Trail. 

Given the small size, it is difficult to do very long runs within the preserve.  However, there are a variety of nice short loops that can be made from the trails in Fremont Older.  Except for the moderate climbs to get into the preserver, the remaining trails are mostly rolling with some short, steep climbs.  There is little shade in the park, and in the summer the conditions can be quite hot and exposed so bring water and a hat.  Winter brings a nice respite from the heat; however, after it rains the trails can be very loose and muddy so you may want to avoid Fremont Older right after a heavy rain.

The Dirt:

• For the official web site with good trail map click here.
• For driving directions to the Stevens Creek County Park north parking area via Google Maps click here.  (Note: there is a fee to park in this lot.)
  
• For driving directions to the Prospect Road parking area via Google Maps click here (Note: parking is free.)

Extras:

• There is no water available in the preserve.  Bring your own, and remember it can get very hot and dry in the summer!
• The trails are usually very muddy and slimy after a rain, so it's best to avoid the preserve after heavy winter rains.
  

This run incorporates a nice fire road climb and some of the best singletrack in the preserve.  Don't be intimidated by the initial climb; once you get to the top most of the climbing is done!  The run starts from the Stevens Creek County Park north parking area (there is a fee to park here, see above for directions).  Begin the run by continuing along the paved entrance road across Stevens Creek toward the Visitor Center.

• 0.0 mi: Start up the road past the Visitor Center.
• 0.1 mi: Turn left through the gate onto the dirt fire road along Stevens Creek (Stevens Creek / Tony Look Trail).
• 0.7 mi: Veer left to head up the Coyote Ridge Trail (fire road).  Start climbing!
• 1.4 mi: Stay right to continue on the Coyote Ridge Trail.
• 1.9 mi: You will start passing many different trails heading off to the right and left.  Continue following signs for the Coyote Ridge Trail all of the way to the back of the park where you will find the entrance gate to Garrod Farms.
• 2.8 mi: Bear left at the entrance gate to Garrod Farms, heading toward the Toyon Trail.
• 3.2 mi: Turn left onto the Toyon Trail (singletrack).
• 3.8 mi: Turn right to continue on the Toyon Trail.
• 4.2 mi: Stay right to continue on the Toyon Trail.
• 4.5 mi: Toyon Trail ends.  Turn right onto the Hayfield Trail (fire road), heading toward the Seven Springs Loop
  
• 4.8 mi: Turn right onto the Seven Springs Loop Trail.
• 4.9 mi: Stay left on the Seven Springs Loop Trail.
• 5.6 mi: Cross over Ranch Road and stay on the Seven Springs Loop Trail.  The trail will start climbing.  Continue following signs for the Seven Springs Loop Trail.
  
• 6.6 mi: Seven Springs Loop Trail ends on Hayfield Trail.  Turn right on Hayfield Trail.  You will pass several other trails, but continue following the Hayfield Trail all of the way up to the Coyote Ridge Trail.
  
• 7.3 mi: Hayfield Trail ends on the Coyote Ridge Trail.  Turn right on Coyote Ridge Trail.  You will soon start descending back to the parking lot.
• 7.8 mi: Stay left on the Coyote Ridge Trail.
• 8.5 mi: The steep descent ends at Stevens Creek.  Turn right and follow the fire road back out to the parking area.
• 9.2 mi: Back at your car!
  

This run takes you past two highlights of Fremont Older OSP.  The first is the beautiful Stevens Creek / Tony Look Trail, which winds its way along the hills above Stevens Creek Reservoir.  The second is the high point along the Coyote Ridge Trail, which affords beautiful 360-degree views of the Bay Area.  The run starts from the Stevens Creek County Park north parking area (there is a fee to park here, see above for directions).  Begin the run by continuing along the paved entrance road across Stevens Creek toward the Visitor Center.

• 0.0 mi: Start up the road past the Visitor Center.
• 0.1 mi: Turn left through the gate onto the dirt fire road along Stevens Creek (Stevens Creek / Tony Look Trail).
• 0.6 mi: Veer right to follow the Stevens Creek / Tony Look Trail.  You will climb briefly, then come to the Stevens Creek Reservoir.
• 1.0 mi: Head left to continue on the Stevens Creek / Tony Look Trail.  You'll follow this awesome singletrack for the next two miles.  You'll pass a couple of trails heading toward Stevens Canyon Road.  Continue following Stevens Creek / Tony Look Trail. 
• 3.0 mi: Merge onto Lookout Trail.  Get ready for a bit of a climb...
• 3.8 mi: At the top of Lookout Trail!  Continue ahead down a little hill, then veer right onto an unnamed singletrack (on the map, it's the squiggly trail heading toward gate FO07.  You'll know it's the right trail if it's a singletrack that does a single switchback after about 0.2 miles.
• 4.2 mi: Hard left onto Coyote Ridge Trail (fire road).  You'll follow Coyote Ridge Trail for the next couple of miles.
• 4.8 mi: Take a brief detour to Maisie's Peak on the right (the highest point in Fremont Older OSP).  Then backtrack and continue on Coyote Ridge Trail.  Prepare for a long descent.
  
• 6.3 mi: Coyote Ridge Trail ends.  Turn right onto the fire road (Stevens Creek / Tony Look Trail).
• 6.9 mi: Back at the car!