04/18/09 - Time : 9:00am @ Lexington Reservoir
There are three distinct areas within Sierra Azul. The most popular is the Kennedy-Limekiln Area, accessible from Kennedy Road in Los Gatos, and from Highway 17, adjacent to Lexington Reservoir County Park and St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve. The 2,920-acre area includes 15 miles of trails, providing hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians with some excellent, strenuous loop trails. The popular Kennedy Trail/Limekiln Trail loop covers over 14 miles, and includes nearly 2,000 feet in elevation gain. For a shorter, but still energetic hike or ride, try the five-mile Priest Rock Trail, with an 800-foot elevation gain. Leashed dogs are allowed only on the trails in the Kennedy-Limekiln Area. Bicyclists: there is a 15 mph trail speed limit and helmets are required at all times.
View Hiking Maps at the link below :
http://www.openspace.org/preserves/pr_sierra_azul.asp
HOW TO GET THERE
Kennedy-Limekiln Area: Parking is available at the Lexington Reservoir entrance to Sierra Azul, accessible from Highway 17. From southbound Highway 17, take the Bear Creek Road exit, cross over the highway, and go 0.4 miles north on Highway 17 to Alma Bridge Road. Proceed across the dam to the parking area (there is a parking fee) at Lexington Reservoir County Park. From the parking area, visitors can continue on Alma Bridge Road a short distance to the Limekiln Trail trailhead (gate #SA22), on the left side of the road. The Priest Rock Trail trailhead is a short distance further on the road (gate #SA21), also on the left side. The trailhead for the Kennedy Trail is accessible from Kennedy Road in Los Gatos, approximately 1.5 miles west of its intersection with Shannon Road, at gate #SA01. There is very limited parking at this trailhead.
