There is ample parking on Prospect Road just after the intersection with Beauchamps. Look for the sign and bench at the entrance to the Parker Ranch trails. Wildlife that makes its home in this area includes Brush Rabbits, Coyotes, Red-tailed Hawks, California Quail, Black-tailed Deer and Acorn Woodpecker. Flora include Milk Thistle, California Buckeye and Coast Live Oak. The loop trail is about four miles and takes a little over one hour to walk. Alternatively, you can take the trail all the way to Fremont Older Open Space for an even longer hike. This review covers the loop trail.
Parking on Prospect Road
Bench for resting at trailhead Entrance to Parker Trail
The loop trail has about ten minutes of flat wide trail and then a steep hill, then multiple rolling hills. During the summer it can get very dry and exposed the first 30 minutes of the walk. There are shady areas later on. Keep a look out for coyotes, deers and flowers.
For the first part of the flat trail, it is bordered on either side by the back fences of neighboring houses and different flowers and trees.
Flat Trail
After about three minutes, you come to a wooden crossing where you cross the street to continue on the trail. Watch out for cars.
Wooden crossing
Flowers and trees bordering the trail
There is another wooden crossing before you reach the bottom of the first steep hill. Cross the street and head up the hill.
Wooden crossing to steep hill
The trail climbs steeply upwards for about five minutes where you reach the top of the hill and are greeted by a tree and expansive views of Silicon Valley. Then it is time to head down the slope. Again, you are near residential homes with flowers and wildlife.
Steep hill and views
Downhill slope View of downtown San Jose
Morning glory
Reach an exit onto the street and bear right to walk through the neighborhood. Keep a look out for the wooden crossings and signs leading you to the next trail entrance. You may see deers and there is a bench to sit. Here are some rolling hills and this part of the trail is more shady.
Walking through the neighborhood to the next trailhead
Neighborhood
Next trailhead Deers along path
Bench Rolling hills
At the intersection bear right, like the sign shows and head up some slight slopes.
Bear right Shady part of trail
Milk thistle
When the Trail ends at another intersection, make a right following the sidewalk. Head up the hill on Picea Ct and look for the dirt trail on the right. Take this until you see the wooden fence and the fork in the path. To take the loop trail back to Prospect, make a sharp right and head down the hill. Stay straight to hike to Fremont Older.
Full Review: Parker Ranch Trail
There is ample parking on Prospect Road just after the intersection with Beauchamps. Look for the sign and bench at the entrance to the Parker Ranch trails. Wildlife that makes its home in this area includes Brush Rabbits, Coyotes, Red-tailed Hawks, California Quail, Black-tailed Deer and Acorn Woodpecker. Flora include Milk Thistle, California Buckeye and Coast Live Oak. The loop trail is about four miles and takes a little over one hour to walk. Alternatively, you can take the trail all the way to Fremont Older Open Space for an even longer hike. This review covers the loop trail.
Parking on Prospect Road
Bench for resting at trailhead Entrance to Parker Trail
The loop trail has about ten minutes of flat wide trail and then a steep hill, then multiple rolling hills. During the summer it can get very dry and exposed the first 30 minutes of the walk. There are shady areas later on. Keep a look out for coyotes, deers and flowers.
For the first part of the flat trail, it is bordered on either side by the back fences of neighboring houses and different flowers and trees.
Flat Trail
After about three minutes, you come to a wooden crossing where you cross the street to continue on the trail. Watch out for cars.
Wooden crossing
Flowers and trees bordering the trail
There is another wooden crossing before you reach the bottom of the first steep hill. Cross the street and head up the hill.
Wooden crossing to steep hill
The trail climbs steeply upwards for about five minutes where you reach the top of the hill and are greeted by a tree and expansive views of Silicon Valley. Then it is time to head down the slope. Again, you are near residential homes with flowers and wildlife.
Steep hill and views
Downhill slope View of downtown San Jose
Morning glory
Reach an exit onto the street and bear right to walk through the neighborhood. Keep a look out for the wooden crossings and signs leading you to the next trail entrance. You may see deers and there is a bench to sit. Here are some rolling hills and this part of the trail is more shady.
Walking through the neighborhood to the next trailhead
Neighborhood
Next trailhead Deers along path
Bench Rolling hills
At the intersection bear right, like the sign shows and head up some slight slopes.
Bear right Shady part of trail
Milk thistle
When the Trail ends at another intersection, make a right following the sidewalk. Head up the hill on Picea Ct and look for the dirt trail on the right. Take this until you see the wooden fence and the fork in the path. To take the loop trail back to Prospect, make a sharp right and head down the hill. Stay straight to hike to Fremont Older.
Hill up Picea Ct Picea Ct Trailhead
Fork in the path