Manzanita Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Manzanita Trail starts from a major trail junction with Foothill Trail and Bonhoff Trail, high in the Joseph D. Grant County Park backcountry. Initially in the thin grassy woods, the trail climbs gradually.

After a short steep climb at the 0.25 mile mark, Manzanita Trail is out of the woods. From here until the trail's end, grassy hills with stands of trees, rise to the left/northeast. Mt. Hamilton with Lick Observatory, and other peaks are seen nearby to the northeast between the hills and trees, as the trail winds around the grassy hillsides, climbing gradually now.

To the right/southwest, hillsides and creek valleys drop off, thus providing great views of the lower hills of the park. Also, in the distance are the blue Santa Cruz Mountains to the southwest. As the trail reaches its highest points towards its end, glimpses of San Francisco Bay can be seen far in the distance to the northwest. Very awe inspiring!

Manzanita Trail ends at the park boundary and a private property line, after 1.6 miles.

Grass hills that are green in the spring, and golden in the summer and fall, dotted with oaks, gray pines, manzanitas, some bushes. Big swooping birds.