In
brief:
7 mile out and back walk on paved path along Crystal Springs Reservoir.
One of the most popular recreation trails in the Bay Area
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 7 mile out and back walk is easy. Sawyer Camp Trail stretches
6 miles. The lower section is flat, and the upper stretch has
a few easy hills. Total elevation change is about 312 feet.
Exposure:
Mostly exposed.
Trail traffic:
Heavy.
Trail surfaces:
Paved trail.
Hiking time:
2 1/2 hours.
Season:
Nice any time; lovely in autumn.
Getting there:
From Interstate 280 in San Mateo County, exit #36 Hayne Road/Black Mountain
Road (if you're approaching northbound, turn left at the end of the exit
ramp). Drive south on Skyline Boulevard about 1.3 miles, to the trail entrance
on the right (west) side of the road.
GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude
37°31'51.34"N
Longitude 122°21'50.78"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
Nothing in the immediate area. No camping.
Trailhead details:
Roadside parking. No entrance or parking fees. Pit toilets just inside the
entrance gate, and at several other locations along the trail. Maps available
at information signboard near entrance. Pay phone near entrance. Drinking
water near the trail's half-way point, at the Jepson Laurel Area. There
are three designated handicapped parking spots, and the trail is wheelchair
accessible. You can also access the trail from a northern trailhead, near
Hillcrest Boulevard. There is no direct public transportation to this trailhead.
Rules:
The trail is multi-use. Dogs are not permitted. Trail is open from sunrise
to sunset.
The Official Story:
SMCP's Sawyer Camp page
Map Choices:
• Map from SMCP.
• Trails of the Coastside and Northern Peninsula (map) is a good guide (available from Pease Press).
Sawyer Camp Trail in a nutshell -- a printable, text-only guide to the featured walk.
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