About "the Best hikes on the San Francisco Peninsula"
WHY:
I've grown up on the Peninsula and have hiked, biked or run most of these trails at one time or another since I was young.
Truth be told, I decided to put this together to help set a goal; to re-hike all of the better trails on the San Francisco Peninsula (area) and track them on a GPS. However, the actual inspiration came from my wife's hiking group and friends looking for hikes. I found trying to help with verbal directions or maps, inadequate.
While most of these hikes are well documented on other sites, it is hard to find this many of the Peninsula hikes in one place, hiked by one solo hiker, without stopping, then graded against each other so that they can be used as a pacing or effort guide. I left out the little O/B trips and short loops (under 4 miles) that make searching for a hike more difficult than it should be.
THE PAGES:
The Map: By clicking on the map directly at the top of the pages, you can zoom in or out, scroll thru it or click on the BLUE text just below the map to bring you to a detailed page to view the full stats, print, or view the map fullscreen.
Driving Directions: You can get driving directions to each of the trailheads by clicking on the driving directions. A Google map page will appear, enter in your starting location.
GPX files: Each page has a direct link to the GPX data (route data) for the hike.
SMARTPHONES AS A GPS:
The main goal was to use a smartphone app to track and create downloadable gpx files so users can simply download tracks into their smartphones and follow the trails. I stayed away from lengthy descriptions with lots of editorial BS and the gpx files eliminate the need for printed maps and written trail directions.
I find the GAIA Topo for smartphones (other apps work too) to be better than most, including my GPS devices, because the interface is easy and the screen on the phone large with easy zoom controls. You simply pre-download the topo maps and gpx files, put your device in "airplane mode" with the brightness reduced and enjoy amazing long battery life. This has left most of my handheld GPS devices to collect dust.
HOW TO PLAN A ROUTE:
Unfortunately, it is still easiest to download the GPX files from this site first to your computer. Then, upload into you prefered GPS app's website so that it can interface and install the GPX (route) into the smartphones' app. It sounds complicated but it really is easy.
You can however, click on the GPX links from a smartphone (with GAIA Topo app already installed), when the new page is displayed, use the menu at the top to "Export" and choose your GAIA Topo app.
DO I NEED CELL SERVICE?
No, the GAIA app is designed to work in "airplane mode" but can work in any mode. "Airplane mode" disables the cell capabilities of the smartphone and greatly reduces the draw on the phone's battery. The GPS in the smartphone remains fully functioning.
WHY USE A SMARTPHONE (aka: iPhone, Android or Windows phone):
Many trials do not have listed signs, entirely different paths, new intersections not shown on maps or reflected in written trail directions. Much like a dedicated GPS, you'll be able to follow the route, know precisely where you are at all times, be able to take pictures, only carry one device and have the possibility of making an emergency call.
CHANGING THE HIKES:
While most of the hikes (routes/gpx files) shown in Green tracks represent the best and the longest routes available in each area, it is easy to make the routes shorter. Pink are shorter options with Red being used as Out and Back (O/B) to connect to trail systems and increase the hiking distance. If you're using an app for your smartphone such as GAIA Topo, you can either see the shorter trails on the device or log into the website's and use the integrated route planner to create your own hike.
More on how to create your own route>
ABOUT THE LISTED TOTAL ELEVATION:
Most non-corrected GPS devices over log total elevation. Because of this, some companies like Garmin and GAIA Topo correct the data once uploaded based off survey data. Unfortunately, this often seems to underestimate to total amount of elevation gained. Some devices such as Garmin's Fenix HR3 use barometric corrected total elevation that seems to be more accurate than either uncorrected or survey corrected data.
In some cases I listed both barometric corrected elevation numbers from a Garmin's Fenix HR3 and the survey corrected data from GAIA Topo.
Consistency is key for comparing hike to hike and how they affect time and the energy expended, so I always used the GAIA Topo elevation data in the elevation field.
ABOUT DOGS AND BIKES:
"No" for either is listed if at any point of the hike, a sign is posted. However, please note that you'll often still see both.
Red = Out & Back (O/B) or Connection hikes
Green = Loops
Blue = Backpacking including Backpacking thru hikes
Light Blue = Thru hikes
Yellow = To-do Backpack
Pink = Smaller loop option
Orange = To-do
Purple = Bay Ridge Trail thru hikes
LISTED TIME OF THE HIKES:
I carried a full weekend backpack partly for the workout, partly to keep me from running, partly for safety, but mostly to be consistent among the hikes. So the times are slower than if I was traveling lite, much slower than a trail runner, but much faster than someone stopping to rest or eat.
As a pace comparison, a flat paved longer run, I am at a 8 minute mile pace, or about 7.5 miles in an hour (example). A trail run, with real elevation changes and challenging terrain (for me) might be between 4 & 6 miles an hour (example), but carrying a loaded backpack, I have to really hustle to average 3.5 miles an hour. Most of the hikes listed are in this pace and effort window. It might not be uncommon if you plan on walking and stopping to average 2 - 2.5 miles an hour. Hike or run one of these hikes, compare your pace to accurately predict times and energy for any of the other hikes.
WHAT ARE THE HIKES AND WHY ARE SOME NOT INCLUDED?
• The hikes encompass nearly all Open Space or Park areas from San Francisco, South to Almaden Quicksilver were the last long section of Bay Ridge Trail ends and over to the Coast.
• Street, lake, golf courses and those like the flat Bay trails and Ocean trails are not included as these are walking and bike paths. In my opinion, these simply do not fit the term "hike".
• In general, I included the longest hike in the Park or Open Space that best represents the offerings of the area. However, I didn't always choose the very longest option if it didn't offer the best hiking loop. In some areas I included the several loops if the hikes were worth doing.
• In order for a trail system to be considered it needed to offer at least a loop of 4 miles without repeating loops.
GENERAL NOTES:
• Total Elevation Gain reported by GAIA on IOS devices looks to be a bit under reported when compared to Garmin devices that feature Baro elevation correction. It has been left for consistency.
• I carried a full overnight weekend backpack and hiked solo, unless otherwise noted. This certainly slows the time and pace a bit. I did so initially for the workout, but now so that the pacing is consistent and thus more predictable for comparing hike to hike times.
• Often midweek you might not see another person on your loop. Some of the Best Hikes on the Peninsula are surprisingly remote.
• Some of the trails have sharp drops just off the edge of the single track. A fall off in the wrong spot could be very bad.
• Cell signal is spotty to non-existent in many of the areas.
• Carry a headlamp in case you get lost, delayed, over estimated your progress, when you have an afternoon start, etc.
• When Hiking Solo, consider carrying extra food, first aid, and shelter or bivy, in case you find yourself lost, injured or in the parks after dark. It could be better to shelter in place, than continue without working light, tripping and falling off a cliff or wandering lost thru the night.
• Wildlife consists not only of lizards, rabbits, birds (including turkeys and hogs in some of the areas) and deer, but I have seen or seen signs of coyote, bob cat, rattle snakes and even mountain lions in several of the preserves over the years.
In summer, it seems like lizards often make the most noise as they run thru the leaves, but the times I have encountered rattlesnakes, they did NOT rattle. It never hurts to be aware of where you are stepping.
ABOUT DOGS AND BIKES:
Most of the hiking routes cover a large area and numerous hiking trails. While some of the hiking trails used to create the route might allow dogs or bikes, a "NO" for either is listed if at any point on the hike, a hiking trail used for the hike, has a "NO" sign is posted.
However, regardless of the signs posted, please note that you'll often still see both.