Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve — Attraction in Los Gatos

I loved this hike! I went yesterday, Tuesday, September 29th. I went by myself and it's totally safe, in my opinion, to go by yourself, other folks are there by themselves hiking or running.

Parking is small, there's room for about 30 cars, but during the week is empty, at least yesterday there were only 5 cars parked when I get there. It's good because after all, it's a preserve, so they must control the number of visitors.

I started at 5pm and finished at 7:30pm, slow pace in the beginning and middle with two 5 minute stops. In the end, I went fast-paced because it was starting to get dark. I was afraid the parking gate would be closed when I get to the parking lot and it was closed lol, but the gate is automatic, they close the gate, but all cars that are in can get out at any time.

I went to Redwood Springs Trail down to Alma Trail. I didn't go to Madrone Knoll Trail because I knew I'd not have time. I knew it would take me about 2.5h to finish the loop (Redwood-Alma). If you take this route it's about 1h going uphill, then you will start to go downhill.

My favorite trail was Alma Trail, I wish I had taken that route instead because I would have more time to enjoy the Alma Trail. If you are short on time and can't do the loop I suggest you take Alma Trail, it's less steep and the big, old-growth, redwood...

It was a great experience to visit this open space reserve. Fortunately I got parking as soon as I came in, parking lot is full during weekends, on my way back from the hike around 5 cars were waiting for parking spot. Even though parking lot is reasonably big, weekends it gets really busy, since it is a relatively new hiking trail open for public access. There are wheel chair accessible parking spaces, there are two restrooms, they are well maintained. There is a short loop trail around upper lake. We took Alma trail wen all the way to old growth Redwoods. Alma trail is gradual uphill, moderate level hiking trail. Trial it self is very wide, even a truck can drive through this trail. Trail it self is very beautiful covered with tall redwood trees. You can see moss growing on redwood, which creates a pretty picture. Once you reach old growth redwoods, you can enjoy couple of old and huge redwood trees. As of now there are around 7 miles on trail in the reserve. With total area of 1432 acres. Looks like there are planning expand another 15 miles of trails in next 15 years. I really love this place, since it is so close to home, I don't have drive for to walk around...

It has a new parking lot and restroom. The map was a bit confusing because the trail is actually across the street. Your allowed to ride horses but no dogs in the trail.

We came in the middle of the week, there's plenty of parking and a few others hiking the various trails. You start off at one point and at the .2 mile mark the trail splits. Anther mile and the trail splits again. You have to watch the signs as some of the trails run in private property and you're told to stay off. Best to respect people living in the area.

Definitely bring lots of water in a warm day. I brought a 32 oz container and ran out by the time we hit the 1 mile marker. There's not a lot of places to rest in the trail.

Fun things I noticed. There cross walk had buttons for walkers and those on horseback. Also they have a boot scraper and...