Eco-Friendly Events Calendar

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Experience the twilight’s transition from day to night during a moderately-paced loop hike along the Ancient Oaks, Ridge, and Charquin trails with Docent Naturalists Lindsay Joye, Sabra Abraham, and Padma Satish. Your route will wend through gnarled old oak trees and grasslands before pausing at the top of Borel Hill for a snack break while watching the full moon rise as the sun sets. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after October 12 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close October 23 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the Russian Ridge Parking Area on the northwest corner of the Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Page Mill/Alpine Road intersection (across Skyline Blvd. on the right). Those traveling from I-280 on Page Mill Rd. should allow approximately 40 minutes travel time.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Celebrate Halloween with your canine companion on a moderately-paced hike in this dog-friendly preserve. The dogs will enjoy the scents along the Blue Oak, Hassler, Polly Geraci, and Cordilleras trails while their humans learn about the natural surroundings from Docent Naturalist Ann Reisenauer. Costumes are optional. Trick or treat? Dog treats will be provided! All dogs must be on leash. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after October 17 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close October 30 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the Pulgas Ridge Parking Area on Edmonds Rd. From I-280, exit Edgewood Road.  Drive 0.75 miles on Edgewood Rd. toward San Carlos/Redwood City. Turn left (north) on Crestview Drive, then immediately turn left on Edmonds Road. Follow Edmonds Rd. to the preserve parking lot entrance on the right.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Join Docent Naturalists Dave Kocsis, Steve Crawford, Peter Maxwell, and An Scharlaken for an advanced mountain bike ride on fun trails with outstanding views. You’ll carpool from Picchetti Ranch Preserve to the beautiful Waterwheel Creek Trail and ride the single track and fire roads in Monte Bello Preserve before taking Stevens Canyon Road back to the carpool location. The mostly downhill route (2,200-foot net descent) includes 1,700+ feet of climbing. Approximately five miles of the ride is on public roadways. This ride is in memory of our friend and Midpen docent Strether Smith. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after October 18 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close October 30 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:For this activity at Monte Bello Preserve, meet at the Picchetti Ranch Preserve parking lot. From the intersection of I-280 and Foothill Expressway, go 3.5 miles southwest (toward the mountains) on Foothill Boulevard/Stevens Canyon Road.  Turn right on Montebello Road.  The preserve is 0.5 miles up Montebello Rd. on the left.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Join Docent Naturalists Peter Maxwell, Roger Wigenstam, An Scharlaken, and Steve Crawford for a scenic and aerobic ride exploring three preserves. You’ll start in Saratoga Gap, pedal through Long Ridge, and even enter Skyline Ridge, going as far as the Tree Farm Trail. Along the way, you’ll visit Turtle Rock and maybe see live turtles at Jikoji Pond. Participants must be experienced and able to ride steep, narrow, and at times rough single-track trails, with a total elevation gain of 1,950 feet. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after October 25 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close November 6 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at Caltran's Saratoga Gap Vista Point Parking Area on the southeast corner of the Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Highway 9 intersection.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Looking for a challenging hike that encompasses two preserves and has a fabulous view west? Then join Docent Naturalists Nancy Weintraub, Nick Yatsko, Marie Faust Evitt, and Lindsay Joye on a moderately-paced trek up to Black Mountain in Monte Bello Preserve from the neighboring Rancho San Antonio Preserve. After a car shuttle to Deer Hollow Farm, you’ll begin with a gentle ascent, then ramble up the High Meadow Trail to the "PG&E bench" for amazing vistas traversing woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral. You’ll then explore the less-traveled Quarry Trail leading to the steep Black Mountain Trail. Bring a lot of water and a lunch for a well-deserved rest stop at the summit of Black Mountain. The group will determine the route back to the farm (out-and-back or loop down Black Mountain to the Chamise Trail, adding two miles to the journey). Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after November 2 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close November 13 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet near the restroom at the bottom of the hill in the preserve parking lot farthest to the right. From I-280, take Foothill Boulevard south and turn right almost immediately onto Cristo Rey Drive. Continue about 1 mile, veer right around the traffic circle, and turn left into the park. After entering the preserve, turn right and drive approximately 0.3 miles to Lot 6. 

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.When the first rains break the long summer drought, the redwood forest floor comes back to life. Join Docent Naturalists Catherine Xun, Susan Dunn, and Mari Aldridge to find what the water wakes: mosses brightening, ferns unfurling, and mushrooms rising through the duff. On this moderately-paced hike you'll descend the Purisima Creek Trail, walk beneath the tall redwoods of the Craig Britton Trail, then climb out along the Harkins Ridge and North Ridge trails. This is a point-to-point route with a short car caravan to Redwood Roadside Parking. Participants must stay for the full hike. Bring a snack and water; hiking poles recommended for the steep sections. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after November 4 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close November 17 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the North Ridge Parking Area on Skyline Boulevard.  This entrance is next to the now closed Kings Mountain Country Store.  The parking lot is 4.5 miles south of Highway 92, and 8.1 miles north of Highway 84.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.It's that time again: The banana slug count! Join Docent Naturalists Roberta and Jaime Cavazos and Melissa Hero on this family-friendly, leisurely-paced search for everyone’s favorite local, golden gastropod. As you meander beneath the redwood canopy along the Purisima Creek Trail, you’ll count and learn about these amazing creatures and where they live. Bring a light snack to enjoy along the trail. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after November 7 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close November 20 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:From the North: Accessible from Purisima Creek Road. From the Highway 92 and Highway 1 intersection in Half Moon Bay, travel on Highway 1 south approximately 4.3 miles. Turn left on Verde Road. After turning on to Verde Road and traveling 1/4-mile, continue straight to remain on what becomes Purisima Creek Road. (Verde Road splits off to the right.) Travel approximately 3.7 miles on Purisima Creek Road. From the South: Accessible from Purisima Creek Road. From the Highway 84 and Highway 1 intersection in San Gregorio, travel on Highway 1 north approximately 6.4 miles. Turn right on the third Verde Road intersection. After turning on to Verde Road and traveling 1/4-mile, continue straight to remain on what becomes Purisima Creek Road. (Verde Road splits off to the right.) Travel approximately 3.7 miles on Purisima Creek Road.

Join expert EV docents for an exploration of the science and nature of the Palo Alto Baylands.

Join expert EV docents for an exploration of the science and nature of the Palo Alto Baylands.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Hike one of the peninsula’s iconic peaks while appreciating the twilight on an evening excursion with Docent Naturalists Dave Kocsis, Lindsay Joye, and Mallik K. You’ll ramble the Canyon Trail and climb the scenic Bella Vista Trail, observing seasonal flora and fauna, then watch the sun set and the full moon rise from Black Mountain’s summit, while enjoying the food you brought. You’ll earn extraordinary views of the Santa Clara Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains. This is a strenuous but moderately-paced excursion with a 1,000-foot elevation gain. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after November 10 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close November 23 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the Monte Bello Parking Area on Page Mill Road (across from Los Trancos Preserve), 7 miles west of I-280 or 1.5 miles east of Skyline Boulevard. Those traveling from I-280 on Page Mill Rd. should allow approximately 35 minutes travel time.