Phleger Estate Shows Off Ravines and Redwoods

Woodsy Woodside, one of the Bay Area’s priciest and most rustic residential areas, has a park that’s in keeping with the neighborhood. You half expect a gated entry for the Phleger Estate.

San Francisco attorney Herman Phleger owned this land of steep canyons and second-growth redwoods when this property, 40 miles south of San Francisco, was rural and removed from city life. Phleger managed to commute by auto over poor roads to offices in the city during the 1930s. Interstate 280 makes the commute from Woodside easier these days--at least when traffic is light. But Woodside and the remote Phleger Estate retain an air of tranquillity. Phleger’s heirs sold the 1,227-acre parcel, and it became the southernmost unit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1995.

Don’t look for highway signs directing you to the Phleger Estate or to trail head parking. The only convenient hiking access to the national parkland is by way of adjacent Huddart County Park. The Phleger Estate is an island on the land, accessible only to hikers, but Huddart County Park is not exactly a secret and boasts lots of popular picnic areas.

There is much to discover in this northeastern pocket of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Deep and steep ravines, frequently wrapped in fog, support dense stands of redwood. Higher and drier slopes are cloaked in oaks. The estate’s main trail traces West Union Creek, which lies directly on the San Andreas fault. Hiking to the estate and along the creek is a mellow, family-style excursion. Both trails and junctions in the estate and adjoining Huddart County Park are well signed.

For a contrast to new Woodside, visit the old Woodside Store, a California Historical Landmark. Built in 1854 during the area’s logging era, the store was a combination grocery, hardware store, post office, livery stable, stage stop, dentist’s office and more. Restored to 1880s specifications, it is open as a free museum. Woodside Store is one mile up Kings Mountain Road on the way to the trail.

Directions to the trail head: From Interstate 280 in Woodside, take California 84 (Woodside Road) exit and head west through Woodside for 1.7 miles to Kings Mountain Road. Turn right and travel 1.5 miles to Huddart County Park ($4 entry fee per vehicle). Leave your car in the first parking lot just past the entrance station.

You’ll locate the trail head, signed with seven destinations, above the parking lot near a couple of information boards.

The hike: The wide path, lined by a split-rail fence, winds through redwood and madron~o as it skirts the Zwierlein Picnic Area. In 0.2 mile you’ll join Crystal Springs Trail, sticking with this well-signed path as it passes several trail junctions, then crosses Richards Road. Bear left, and a short 0.1 mile ascent up the dirt road will bring you to signed Miramonte Trail and entry to the Phleger Estate.

Join fern-lined Miramonte Trail as it travels alongside Union Creek. The path continues along the creek before abruptly and briefly turning south and ascending above the creek. Soon the trail changes direction again and heads west to a T intersection with Mt. Redondo and Raymundo trails. Turn right on Raymundo Trail and begin your counterclockwise tour of the mountain. You’ll saunter along Union Creek for a bit, then climb above it to another junction marked with a sign and an iron Indian figure. Unless you’re training for a trek to Nepal, ignore Lonely Trail, which ascends 1,000 feet to Skyline Boulevard. Instead, bid adieu to Raymundo Trail as it gives way to Mt. Redondo Trail and join this pleasant path as it dips to a trickling creek, crosses it and descends back to the junction with Miramonte Trail. From here, retrace your steps to the trail head.

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Crystal Spring, Richards Road, Miramonte Trails

Where: Phleger Estate, Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Distance: From Huddart County Park to Phleger Estate is 4.2 miles round trip with 200 foot elevation gain; loop via Raymundo and Mt. Redondo Trails is 6.6 miles round trip with 600-foot elevation gain.

Terrain: Steep slopes and ravines along San Andreas Fault.

Highlights: Redwoods retreat, hidden gem of the national parkland.

Degree of difficulty: Easy to moderate.

For more information: Golden Gate National Recreation Area,Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Fort Mason, Bldg. 201, San Francisco, CA 94123, tel. (415) 556-4484.