On a sunny late autumn day, I went out to do a quick and easy hike just outside the city. Rather than driving into the mountains, I found a short but promising trail close by, perfect for a quick hike! This trail was the Hunters Point Maisie’s Peak and Nob Hill Loop at Fremont Older Preserve.
Miles/Elevation:
4.7 miles
820 feet vertical gain
About Fremont Older Open Space Preserve:
Located on the edge of the South Bay Urban Area, Fremont Older Open Space Preserve offers convenient hiking and outdoor activities. At 739 acres, Fremont Older isn’t a gigantic preserve by any means, but it’s location and convenience mean the trails here get lots of visitation.
The preserve is not a wilderness destination. The preserve is named for its former owner, Fremont Older, and the old family home still stands and is inhabited on the preserve! In addition to the old home, you will also find active vineyards here. It’s cool to hike among the growing grapes, but again, don’t expect a wilderness experience.
Getting To The Trailhead:
The best trailhead to use for this hike is the Prospect Parking Area which can be found on Google Maps as Prospect Parking. From San Jose, take I-280 to the intersection with 85, and head south on 85. Once on 85, take the exit to South De Anza. From De Anza, turn right onto Prospect Road and follow it into the hills.
Once you reach and pass the Saratoga Country Club, you will turn sharply left to stay on Prospect Road. Continuing straight will have you continuing on Rolling Hills Road. Turn onto Prospect Road and follow it a few hundred yards until you reach the parking lot on the left. Note, Prospect Road for this last short stretch is one lane, so take it slow and be careful for other cars and pedestrians.
The Hike:
To Hunters Point:
From the parking lot, head across the street and begin hiking uphill on the Cora Older Trail. The trail here is a wide gravel road, and while there is an incline, it’s pretty manageable. Continue on this trail for about half a mile as it travels through the forest, and eventually emerges into the meadows that top the rolling hills.
Always be sure to follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when in the outdoors!
After about half a mile, you’ll hit a series of intersections. Take a hard right, immediately followed by a hard left. You will then run into the Hayfield Trail which runs to the left and right. Eventually you’ll go left here, but first, I recommend heading right towards Hunters Point, so take a right here!
From the intersection, Hunters Point is about a quarter mile of hiking away. You’ll gain around 100 vertical feet in this quarter mile. It goes quick and then you’ll be at Hunters Point!
This viewpoint certainly isn’t a major peak of any renown, but it is a nice little spot. You’ll climb higher later in the hike, but it’s a nice view for only being a mile or so into the day and makes you feel like you’ve already accomplished something!
To Maisie’s Peak:
From Hunters Point backtrack towards the intersection where you turned right earlier to reach Hunters Point. When you reach the intersection, veer right to continue towards Maisie’s Peak.
The trail from here towards Maisie’s Peak is a steady, moderate, climb. As you climb higher on the ascent to Maisie’s Peak, the rolling grasses of the lower slopes give way to shrubby, low forest. Don’t expect shade because the trees don’t really get high enough for it, but the environment does change!
Always follow basic trail etiquette when on trail!
The hike up to Maisie’s Peak is pretty nice and offers some solid views. Looking to your right, you’ll have views towards the higher ridges of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and to your left, you’ll be able to look far to the south, the South Bay on the left and the mountains on the right!
For more great views of San Jose, head to Monte Bello Open Space Reserve!
From the low point below Hunters Point, the climb to Maisie’s Peak is around 300 feet, really not bad. That 300 feet is gained in a bit under a mile, so it makes for a pretty gentle hike up the ridge! The trail is also quite well made, though I would have preferred an actual single track trail.
Almaden Quicksilver is really close and has more great hiking outside San Jose!
Near the top of the climb on the Coyote Ridge Trail (the trail you’re on which accesses Maisie’s Peak), look for an access trail heading to the summit of Maisie’s Peak. The summit is only a few feet from the main trail along the spur, so it’s definitely worth the sidetrip!
Looking for huge old growth Redwoods instead? Head to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park!
The view from Maisie’s Peak is very nice, and definitely the best of the day. You’ll have expansive views looking out over San Jose, Cupertino, Saratoga, and the rest of the South Bay! On a clear day, you would be able to see over to Mission Peak in the East Bay Hills, but the sky was a bit smoggy on my hike. Oh well!
To Nob Hill:
From Maisie’s Peak, head back to the main trail and descend down the far side. You won’t descend much here, and the trail quickly flattens. Up here on Coyote Ridge, views are consistently really nice, looking down into the city and over into the mountains!
Around here you will also start to see the winery and grape vines to the right! This is the Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyard, which is open for tastings! While you could actually go in for a tasting on your hike, I’d probably recommend coming back when you aren’t sweaty and can drive in, but that’s just me! The tasting room is conveniently open every day of the week as well!
Once you reach the vineyards, you are near Nob Hill. The trail veers hard to the left and traverses around the left side of the hill rather than going directly over. Once you’re on the other side, you’ll notice the short access trail backtracking to the summit. I took the short .1 mile spur trail up to the summit because why not. The view was nice from the top, though mostly more of the same, and I’d argue Maisie’s has a better view!
I mostly just wanted to say I hit all three summits!
Finishing The Loop:
From Nob Hill, the trail quickly begins it’s big descent back down towards civilization. You actually will hit a few switchbacks at the top of the descent which came as a surprise! In the mile or so following Nob Hill, you’ll drop around 300 feet.
In that first mile after Nob Hill, you’ll encounter another intersection. Going right here will take you into Saratoga and away from your car, so stay left. Then, the trail will approach a parking lot, but not the one you parked at. You could actually head into this parking lot and begin the road walk here, but I would recommend staying left on the trail. This will cut a bit of distance off the hike, and keeps you on trail, off the road.
Just down the road, Rancho San Antonio has more excellent trails!
On the trail after the parking lot, you will descend steeply down towards the country club. The trail turns right away from the country club itself, and will force you onto Parker Ranch Road. Once you hit the road, turn left and head across the bridge. There isn’t a real side walk here, so unfortunately you’ll basically just have to walk on the side of the road!
Mt Umunhum is an awesome summit opportunity with even better South Bay views!
Continue on the road back towards the turn off to Prospect Road, and then follow the single lane road back to where you parked. Be careful as you walk down this road, the turns can be tight and cars may not see you coming. After a short walk down the road, you’ll be back where you parked and done with the day’s loop!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 7/10
This is a decent hike but isn’t really anything special. The biggest thing this trail and park has going for it is the location. It’s super convenient, and you can get a solid hike in without driving into the mountains. However, the views are nothing special, it’s busy, and honestly there just isn’t really anything special about this trail. I did it because I didn’t want to take the time to drive into the mountains, and for that it’s fine, but don’t expect a world class outing on this one! However, if you want to combine a hike with wine, this one might be worth trying out!
Pros:
- Easily accessible
- Good views
Cons:
- Busy
- Road walking
- Urban hike
Alternative Hikes:
The Hickory Oaks, Long Ridge Road, and Peters Creek Trail Loop
The High Meadows Loop via the Coyote Trail
The Monte Bello Open Space Preserve Loop
When To Hike Fremont Older Open Space Preserve:
Fremont Older Open Space Preserve is a 4 season destination; however, each season will give you different conditions. Winter will provide the coolest temperatures, but will have the most rain, and therefore the most mud. Expect winter days to be anywhere from the 50s to the 70s.
Spring is a bit warmer and a bit drier, and would be an awesome time to visit. Summer is the hottest month, and conditions could easily reach into the 80’s or even 90’s on extreme days. Fall will yield cooler temperatures as the season progresses, but has the biggest fire risk.
When choosing a time to visit, one unique thing to consider is the condition of the vegetation. The grass covered hills spend all of summer and fall looking burnt and brown as the summer and fall are the driest months. Winter and spring to me are the best months to visit Fremont Older Open Space Preserve as the hills turn a beautiful green once the rain comes. Beware of mud after heavy rain days, but for me, winter and spring are the opportune times to visit.
Links For Further Reading:
Maisie’s Peak, Hunter’s Point via Nob Hill, Coyote Ridge, Hayfield – California | AllTrails
Fremont Older Preserve | Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
