The entrance to Upper Stevens Creek County Park is not easily visible. There is a small brown park sign and blue call box sign to look out for when you are heading south on Skyline Boulevard but when you are heading north, you can easily miss the entrance so drive slowly. Just pull over to the side of Skyline Boulevard and park. There is no parking lot as such.
The entrance to Saratoga Gap Trail of Upper Stevens Creek County Park is shown below.
Saratoga Gap Trailhead
The photographs were taken on Saratoga Gap Trail as we headed toward Table Mountain. The trail slopes downwards and is mostly shady with various tree types. It is great during the hot summers especially July and August. Heavily wooded, the tree trunks are covered with moss.
Shady trail Moss-covered tree trunks
Walking downhill you get to a wider, less-shaded portion of Saratoga Gap Trail.
Saratoga Gap trail sign Exposed parts of trail
In less than one half mile, you will reach the intersection of Saratoga Gap Trail, Charcoal Road and Upper Table Mountain Trail. Take the trail on the left onto the shady Upper Table Mountain Trail. Hikers are allowed on this trail but bikers and horses are not permitted.
Three trail intersection Upper Table Mountain Trail
On this trail there are yellow and purples wildflowers.
Yellow wildflowers Purple wildflowers
On this shady trail downward sloping trail are large moss-covered trees and red trunked trees and ferns.
Red-trunked trees Ferns
Moss-covered tree
The beginning of the trail is shady then it changes character into an exposed rocky trail bordered by Manzanita shrubs with an open view of the valley.
Manzanita shrubs
Views of the valley
Walking for one half hour on Upper Table Mountain Trail, you will descend gradually from a 2400 feet down to about 1800 feet.
Full Review: Upper Stevens Creek County Park
The entrance to Upper Stevens Creek County Park is not easily visible. There is a small brown park sign and blue call box sign to look out for when you are heading south on Skyline Boulevard but when you are heading north, you can easily miss the entrance so drive slowly. Just pull over to the side of Skyline Boulevard and park. There is no parking lot as such.
The entrance to Saratoga Gap Trail of Upper Stevens Creek County Park is shown below.
Saratoga Gap Trailhead
The photographs were taken on Saratoga Gap Trail as we headed toward Table Mountain. The trail slopes downwards and is mostly shady with various tree types. It is great during the hot summers especially July and August. Heavily wooded, the tree trunks are covered with moss.
Shady trail Moss-covered tree trunks
Walking downhill you get to a wider, less-shaded portion of Saratoga Gap Trail.
Saratoga Gap trail sign Exposed parts of trail
In less than one half mile, you will reach the intersection of Saratoga Gap Trail, Charcoal Road and Upper Table Mountain Trail. Take the trail on the left onto the shady Upper Table Mountain Trail. Hikers are allowed on this trail but bikers and horses are not permitted.
Three trail intersection Upper Table Mountain Trail
On this trail there are yellow and purples wildflowers.
Yellow wildflowers Purple wildflowers
On this shady trail downward sloping trail are large moss-covered trees and red trunked trees and ferns.
Red-trunked trees Ferns
Moss-covered tree
The beginning of the trail is shady then it changes character into an exposed rocky trail bordered by Manzanita shrubs with an open view of the valley.
Manzanita shrubs
Views of the valley
Walking for one half hour on Upper Table Mountain Trail, you will descend gradually from a 2400 feet down to about 1800 feet.