FOM FOK Hiking Group

Rancho San Antonio

Description

This trip to Rancho San Antonio was just another short trip to keep in shape. See the previous Rancho San Antonio hikes for other information about the park.

This short section of the trail is moderate on the "Wimble Scale". Plan on 2 water bottles and perhaps no snack.

Directions

At the intersection of Interstate 280 and Foothill Boulevard, head south and turn right immediately on Cristo Rey Drive. The park entrance is about one mile up the road on your left. There are three parking lots which fill up before 8 AM on weekends. Parking is free.
Begin at the northern most parking lot, the one which has the permanent toilet facilities.
Head northwest out of the parking lot and follow the wide dirt road. You will pass a tennis court on your left.
Just past the tennis court and hidden on your right is a small garden that is the remnant of the seminary that was located just on the other side of the Permanente Creek. You can still see the crosses that marked the Stations of the Cross path, and a small grotto just on the other side of the creek.
Just a few feet further on, again hidden on the right, you can see a further continuation of the hidden garden.
Just a few feet further you come to the intersection of the dirt road and several paved roads. Bear slightly left towards Deer Hollow Farm which is about a half mile further on. Take either the paved road or the dirt trail.
At Deer Hollow Farm, you should stop and talk to the docents if you have time. There is a lot to this park, such as the Indian Village, and you'll miss a lot of features, such as the rat nests if you don't know what to look for.
Continue beyond the farm and, at the intersection of several trails you'll see a large posted map and toilet facilities.
Take the Rogue Valley Trail and the Wildcat Loop Trail and begin a gradual climb. There are 8 switch backs before you reach the top of the Wildcat Loop Trail.
There are two paths to the right of the Wildcat Loop Trail intersection. The one that goes straight is a harder climb over pea gravel. The trail to the right is an easier climb over packed dirt.
After a short climb, you come to another choice of two trails for the next short section. Bear left for views of the inner valley.
After another short climb, you come to another trail intersection. Bear left.
About 3 tenths of a mile, you will come to the intersection of the Upper Wildcat Canyon Trail. Head down that trail.
You will intersect the Wildcat Loop Trail on the left. Continue straight instead.
Shortly afterwards, you will come to a fork in the trail. Bear left back towards Deer Hollow Farm.
This trail back to Deer Hollow Farm follows a stream bed. There is some nice views here of sunlight breaking through tree tops and dappling the stream with light. Look for turkeys, quail, deer, rabbits, and perhaps even a coyote.
At the next trail intersection, continue straight to return to Deer Hollow Farm and retrace your steps back to the parking lot, or bear right for either the Farm Bypass Trail, or the Coyote Trail.
The Farm Bypass Trail is usually full of quail and is an easy alternate way back to the original track back to the trailhead.
The Coyote Trail is a longer return path and involves some gentle climbs.

Trip Reports

Saturday, July 8, 2000

Nancy, Resi, Kathy, and Mike take a short hike. As we begin the final leg back towards Deer Hollow Farm, there are a few bridges over the stream.

Click on picture below to view a larger version.

Back at the farm, we all look in on Michele the cow which has just had twins—a bull and a heifer.