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A rolling trail with great views; popular with mountain bikers.


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Map Key

0.3

Miles

0.4

KM

Point to Point

760' 232 m

High

718' 219 m

Low

26' 8 m

Up

47' 14 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

15%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The preserve is open from 8 am to sunset throughout the year. Hours are posted at the parking lot and can be found online. There are several seasonal trails that may be closed due to rain. Call 650-329-2423 or check online.

Description

The trailhead for Bowl Loop is on the Meadowlark Trail at the far end of the preserve. It's a popular loop for mountain bikers because it has a couple of steep hills that rise and fall before the trail returns to the Meadowlark Trail. The trail is a narrow, dirt track that drops immediately downhill before it climbs immediately up an adjoining hill. It turns to the right and follows the boundary of the park before breaking to the right and dropping back downhill. The descent is steeper this time. The trail bottoms out, and then climbs back up to the Meadowlark Trail.

There are great views of the South and East Bay from close to the park boundary as it is above the other trails in the area.

Flora & Fauna

Deer, coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes, turkeys, hawks, turkey vultures, and other varieties of birds can be seen in the area. Mountain lion sightings have been reported in the area, so keep an eye out.

Contacts

Shared By:

David Hitchcock

Trail Ratings

  2.0 from 2 votes

#46196

Overall
  2.0 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#4,691

in California

#46,196

Overall
2 Views Last Month
66 Since Mar 27, 2016
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

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Photos

A hawk sits in a tree next to the trail.  The preserve is great for birding as it is home to a wide variety of them.
Mar 28, 2016 near Ladera, CA
Bowl Loop hugs the hill on the far side of the ravine. Two mountain bikers can be seen enjoying the rolling nature of the trail.
Mar 28, 2016 near Ladera, CA
A mountain biker drops from the hill. You can see part of a Bowl Loop Trail that runs along the top of the hill.
Apr 9, 2016 near Ladera, CA
A mountain biker heads off to the Bowl Loop Trail after completing Bowl Loop.
Mar 28, 2016 near Ladera, CA
You can see the Meadowlark Trail and the Bowl Loop Trail from this trail.
Mar 28, 2016 near Ladera, CA
Bowl Loop Trail drops from one hillside and climbs another. Views of the East Bay, South Bay, and other areas are offered along the trail.
Mar 28, 2016 near Ladera, CA

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Weather


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Check-Ins

Apr 22, 2021
Maria Cristina Godoy-Asuncion
0.3mi
Mar 27, 2016
David Hitchcock
Saw a hawk close to the preserve boundary and enjoyed the views on a clear day. 0.3mi
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