Sawyer Camp Trail

Sawyer Camp Trail is a popular six mile (10 km) trail located in the San Andreas Fault rift valley in San Mateo County, California near Hillsborough and the San Mateo Highlands. Approximately 300,000 people use the trail every year. It provides excellent views of San Francisco Peninsula's Crystal Springs Watershed. The trail is managed by San Mateo County and totally surfaced in asphalt. There is considerable biodiversity along the trail due to the variation in habitat and the presence of serpentine soils. In particular the plant communities of Northern coastal scrub, grassland and California oak woodland are present.

Path

Starting from the south, the trail begins in a parking lot located just north of the Crystal Springs Dam. This southern end of the trail located on the east side of Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir and it generally heads north parallel to the long axis (i.e. north-south) of the reservoir. The section of the trail north of reservoir passes by dense groves of trees before heading east on the San Andreas Dam. The last segment of the trail briefly parallels the eastern shore of the San Andreas Lake before the path heads northeast and ascends the Bay Hills. The path finally terminates on Hillcrest Boulevard right next to Interstate 280 in western Millbrae.

Recreation

Some of the most popular recreational activities on the trail include walking, jogging, cycling, and rollerblading. Dogs are not allowed. Much of the trail is marked with a center stripe to minimize conflict with those traveling in opposite directions and distances from the ends of the trail are indicated on signs every half-mile (800 m).

Nature

Virtually all of the trail runs alongside the scenic Crystal Springs Reservoir. It is common to see ducks, deer, and rabbits.

External links

* [http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/smc/department/home/0,,5556687_12305993_12328403,00.html San Mateo County Parks and Recreation]
* [http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/sawyercamp.html Bay Area Hiker]