Today’s Thursday Picture was taken about a year ago.

This is a view of Alpine Pond, which is adjacent to the Daniels Nature Center in the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve.  This preserve is one of my favorite places to hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

The views west from the Ipiwa Trail, which is part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, are fantastic.  With over 10 miles of trails, from easy to challenging, the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve is a good place for every age group to enjoy some time outside.

View of Horseshoe Lake from the Sunny Jim Trail.

After parking in the large gravel parking lot at the main entrance off of Skyline Boulevard, take the Sunny Jim Trail to the connection with the Ipiwa Trail.  Enjoy the great views of the Santa Cruz Mountains while you follow the trail to the Alpine Pond.  Loop around the pond and head back the way you hiked in to the preserve.  This makes a nice 4 mile loop with a total of 600 feet in elevation gain.

Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve is only about a 45 minute drive from California’s Oldest Public University, San Jose State University, which is located in the heart of downtown San Jose.

So, where are you hiking this weekend?

If you’re looking for me, I’m over the hill.