If you've ever dreamed of having a preserve all to yourself, call MROSD and arrange a visit to La Honda. Since access is by permit only, and limited permits are issued each day, there's a good chance that when you show up at the trailhead, you'll find it empty. Although rangers patrol the trails, and there is an occupied house in the preserve, more than any other public bay area land you will find solitude.
      There are two prominent features at La Honda, and you can easily visit them both on one hike. An unusual, old growth redwood is tucked away in the woods, and at the end of an out-and-back trail a grassy bluff offers one of the best views in the south bay. La Honda is in an unusually raw state for an MROSD preserve. You'll find no trail signs, restrooms, information signboards, or maps, and no bicycles, horses, or dogs are permitted. Bring layers of clothing; it may be windy on the trail to the view point.
     From the trailhead, a roadside pullout, walk back toward the gate a few feet. Turn right on an unmarked wide trail. Redwood, Douglas fir, tanoak, and madrone shade the trail, and in the understory you might see hound's tongue, starflower, milkmaids, and forget-me-not in spring. Following a level grade, the trail passes through an open stretch with manzanita, poison oak, and ceanothus, then darts back into the woods. At 0.46 mile, the trail emerges into a small clearing, and meets another trail. Stay to the left.
      In spring, the left side of the trail is engulfed with the bright yellow flowers of invasive broom. At 0.53 mile, a small, easy-to-miss path begins on the right side of the trail. Turn right. The trail is easy to follow, but may be blocked with fallen trees, and covered with leaves and branches. A large downed tree runs along the trail on the right; look left here and for the first glimpses of the huge old redwood. Keep walking on the trail, which curves left and reaches the tree at 0.64 mile. It is an awesome site. Partially blackened by a fire (from who knows how long ago), it escaped the logging saws and thrives in a location somewhat sheltered from the wind and winter storms. When you're ready, retrace your steps back to the previous junction, turn left, and retrace your steps to the next junction. Bear left.
     Under a partial canopy of tanoak, redwood, and Douglas fir, you might also see hazelnut. The trail soon leaves the trees behind and emerges into grassland, near an (occupied) house, and a few deserted buildings. At about 1 mile, the dirt trail ends at a junction. Turn left.
      Once past the old farm buildings, the pavement fades and trail enters grassland. Perhaps it is more correct to say the trail becomes grassland. The twin ghost tracks of a vehicle drift downhill. Since this isn't an established, graded trail, the walking is lumpy (the next day my ankles were sore, which I've never experienced before). On the left side of the trail, redwood, Douglas fir, and madrone form a border to the grassland, which features long views west. You might see blue-eyed grass, California buttercups, checker-bloom, and fiddlenecks in springtime. At 1.24 miles, a trail splits off to the right. Although it isn't indicated as such on the official map, other maps show this trail connecting to another out-and-back trail. (You could take this trail west, then hike uphill on the other trail, and you'll end up back at the trailhead.) Stay to the left on the descending trail.
     The trail passes through an old fence line, and draws close to the trees. Suddenly, the grade steepens and the trail becomes rocky. A few huckleberry shrubs grace the understory. Madrone, tanoak, and Douglas firs engulf the trail as it descends. In the shade of deep tree cover, you might see indian warrior, hound's tongue, milkmaids, and mission bells in spring. The trail steps out into grassland with great drama. It might be difficult to follow the trail, as a second path veers off to the right, but cross the grassy flat plateau to the vista point and obvious end of the trail, where the hill drops sharply south. From this spot there are unobstructed views south and west. Hills of other MROSD preserves, including Russian Ridge and Windy Hill, are visible on a clear day, as is the Butano Range and the ocean. In spring, the grass is sprinkled with flowers. You might see popcorn flower, California poppy, blue-eyed grass, checker-bloom, bluedicks, and mule ear sunflower. If it's not too windy, this is a good place for lunch. I think this is also a spectacular setting for a marriage proposal.... When you're ready, retrace your steps back to the junction in front of the house, at 2.55 miles. Turn left.
     The paved road climbs slightly, then begins to descend. Manzanitas and ceanothus give way to redwoods. The trail emerges into grassland, and delivers you to the trailhead.

Total distance: 2.88 miles
Last hiked: Monday, April 16, 2001


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