Mindego Hill

July 23, 2017

Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), a land trust whose mission is to protect and preserve open spaces, had organized an evening, docent led hike to Mindego Hill located in Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. Normally a solo hiker, I decided to experience this group event, along with Jaya. I had hiked this preserve last month, but chose to hike to Borel Hill summit on that day. 

This evening’s hike was a 5 mile out and back hike from Audrey C Rust commemorative site to Mindego Hill summit. There were about 40 people who had showed up for this hike on what was a hot summer evening.

The trail head is located at a high elevation point. Mindego Hill trail is a wide fire road that descends rapidly from the parking lot the first half mile before coming to Charquin trail intersection. The trail then moved through the valley the next mile or so. This mile is fairly level most of the way, but it does gradually descend before it reaches the cattle gate to Mindego ranch.

As you walk down, you will be rewarded with views of the green valley on your left and hills in the Santa Cruz mountain range beyond. Not surprisingly, the hillside was sporting the classic summer brown grass cover, punctuated by green oak woodlands against the backdrop of the blue sky. 

MROSD had recently opened up the trails beyond the cattle gate with access to the hill summit. The single track dirt trail goes through a working ranch, climbing steadily from the foothill to the summit, gaining about 400 feet of elevation over the next 3/4 mile.

While the trail goes through open hillside with dry grass cover, there are couple of spots which go through shaded spots providing welcome relief from the hot sun.

At 2143′, Mindego Hill is not among the tallest spots in this mountain range. Still, it was located strategically and provided some excellent 360 degree views of the Santa Cruz mountain range, the valleys and more. Our guide, Craig took the time to point out some of the parks and preserves that were visible from the summit. 

After a short break, our group started the trek back. As the evening wore down, the light only accentuated the beauty of the hillside. If you look for it, you should also be able to spot a lake as you take one of the turns down hill. 

The first leg of the way back descends from the summit to the cattle gate. There was a group of cows grazing close to the foot of the hill, providing ample evidence that this indeed is a working ranch. 

The home stretch of this out & back hike does involve a steep climb the final 1/2 mile to reach the trail head. Shy of 5 miles, the complete hike involved an overall elevation gain of 1000 feet.

Here is the complete album of photographs from our hike to Mindego Hill summit in Russian Ridge OSP – a rare group hike that I participate in.