Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Grab your mountain bike and join Docent Naturalists Linda Wegner and Steve Crawford on an intermediate ride on which you’ll also learn about the history of this popular preserve. Your route covers several trails, including the Toyon, Seven Springs Loop, and Woodhills Loop, as well as climbs to Maisie’s Peak, Hunter’s Point, and Nob Hill. Experience with riding both single track and fire roads is required. Bring a snack to fuel your climb. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after September 19 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close October 2 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the Prospect Parking Area on Prospect Road in Cupertino.  Exit Highway 85 at De Anza Boulevard.  (From northbound 85 turn left on De Anza Blvd. and from southbound 85 turn right on De Anza Blvd.)  Travel on De Anza Blvd. (toward the mountains) for about 0.5 miles.  Turn right on Prospect Rd.  At the first stop sign, turn left and cross the railroad tracks to remain on Prospect Rd. Follow Prospect Rd. for 1.3 miles, turning left after the Saratoga Country Club, until you reach the preserve parking lot. 

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Explore large-scale habitat restoration in the San Gregorio Creek Watershed with Docent Naturalists Susan Dunn, Nancy Weintraub, and Catherine Xun. This vigorously-paced hike will follow the Cielo Trail to Vista Point for a view of the Pacific Ocean. Then you'll descend the new Coho Vista Trail to hike the loop along the Western Meadowlark and Lone Madrone trails. You'll see how restoration efforts on protected land are improving the San Gregorio Creek drainage to encourage healthy forests, diverse grasslands, and native fish. Bring a lunch or snack for a stop along the way. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after September 25 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close October 8 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the Allen Road Permit Parking Area. From I-280, take CA-84 west for 6.8 miles. Turn right on CA-35/Skyline Boulevard and travel 2.3 miles. Turn left onto Bear Gulch Road. After 0.6 miles, turn left onto Allen Road for one mile. Continue onto Kebet Ridge Road for 0.3 miles. The preserve will be on your right. Note: Vehicle access requires a parking permit, which the docent will have. There is no parking available outside of the preserve gate on Allen Road. 

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Join Docent Naturalists Greg Azevedo, Gordy Ferguson, and Jumana Latif for a leisurely-paced hike at a limited-access area. You’ll travel in a single loop, traversing grasslands, mixed evergreen forest, and chaparral. It includes one uphill section with a 500-foot elevation gain. You’ll discuss local history, learn about the pond environment and flora of the area, and enjoy views of Santa Clara Valley while exploring habitats that few humans have recently visited. Bring a snack for a short break. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after September 26 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close October 9 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the VTA Park & Ride lot at Camden Avenue @ Highway 85. Docents will lead a carpool to the access area and have a group permit and parking passes for participants. Please arrive on time; the group will depart promptly. All participants must stay for the duration of the activity (no early departures in a closed area). Please note: there are no restrooms in VTA lot, nor the Preserve, so please plan accordingly. Thank you. 

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.As the day winds down, head out on this family-friendly, leisurely-paced hike at Alpine Pond to discover who calls this habitat home in the fall. Docent Naturalists Roberta and Jaime Cavazos and Melissa Hero will guide you through these wetland and oak woodland ecosystems, as well as the nearby grasslands along the Ipiwa Trail. Will you get lucky and see bats? What birds and other mammals might be out during this twilight time? And what about the insects and reptiles? Come see what the group will find together! Bring a snack to munch on. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after September 26 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close October 9 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:For this activity at Skyline Ridge Preserve, 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.Join Docent Naturalists Fran Keeler, Mary Brunkhorst, Lindsay Joye, and Inga Buyse for a moderately-paced, exercise-focused hike on trails with beautiful scenery. You’ll meet at the Picchetti Ranch Parking Area, carpool to the Waterwheel Creek trailhead, and hike to Black Mountain in neighboring Monte Bello Preserve. This is a strenuous hike with about 800 feet of elevation gain. Scenic Aerobic hikes are offered at different preserves on the second Wednesday of each month. The route of each hike will be determined by the docents based on current trail and weather conditions. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after September 30 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close October 13 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. Participants will carpool to the trailhead for this activity.

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.

Join the EV for a fun exploration of local open space, led by our environmental educators. Intended for all ages 6 and up.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Join Docent Naturalists Liza Coe, Catherine Xun, Dave Kocsis, Naureen Moon, NASA scientists, and local amateur astronomers for an evening observing the night sky. Neptune and Saturn will be visible (weather permitting). You'll begin with a close-up look at rocks from the Moon, Mars, and across the Solar System. Gaze through telescopes for detailed views of the lunar surface, continue the journey farther to Saturn’s spectacular rings and moons, and then go beyond to blue Neptune. Finally, you’ll leave the Solar System and explore the stars and nebulae of our home galaxy, the Milky Way. (Note: This activity is not a hike but will be held in the Skyline Circle Parking Area, a short walk from where you’ll park your cars.) Bring layered clothing to stay warm. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after October 3 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close October 16 at 2:00 p.m.Where to Meet:Meet at the Skyline Ridge Equestrian Parking Area on Skyline Boulevard located one mile south of the Skyline Blvd. (Highway 35) and Page Mill/Alpine Road intersection. After entering the preserve, proceed to the farthest parking lot on the left. Those traveling from I-280 on Page Mill Rd. should allow approximately 45 minutes travel time.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Join Docent Naturalists Roger Wigenstam, Peter Maxwell, 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 11 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close October 23 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.Hike one of the peninsula’s iconic peaks while appreciating the twilight on an evening excursion with Docent Naturalists Dave Kocsis, Lindsay Joye, Padma Satish, 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 October 11 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close October 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.

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.