Published By: Land and Natural Resources Division
- Skyline Quarry – access to this trail head is at Skyline Quarry Gate, which is 0.7 miles west of the intersection of Lower Skyline Boulevard and Highway 92. Look for the sign.Drive westbound on California Highway 92 crossing under Interstate 280. The "T" intersection before you cross the reservoir is Lower Skyline Boulevard. Go straight through it. Remain on Highway 92 crossing over the reservoir. After you have passed the reservoir drive approximately .5 mile. Look for a gate on the north side of Highway 92. Enter through the gate. Drive .5 mile to the parking area.
(Look for Skyline Quarry in the lower right hand corner of the map on this page).
- Cemetery Gate – access via Skylawn Cemetery.
- Portola Gate – access via Army Road from the terminus of Sneath Lane.
Trail Length: Trail is 10 miles long and is the SFPUC-managed segment of the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail from Highway 92 to Sweeney Ridge.
Trail Connections: Fifield-Cahill Ridge connects with the 3.7 miles of the Sweeney Ridge Trail open to the public. Visitors interested in connecting their trek on the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail with Sweeney Ridge can contact the Golden Gate National Recreation Area .
Trail Condition: The trail is a gravel service road, with periods of loose base rock. Grades range from 0% to 21%. The steepest grade stretches 1.3 miles from Skyline Quarry (elevation 400 ft.) to Cemetery Gate (elevation 1,050 ft.) on Cahill Ridge, with a vertical elevation change of 650 ft.
Time: Approximately 5-7 hours to complete the entire 10 miles on foot, with
shorter events to be scheduled as needed.
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Weather Conditions: Vary greatly over the length of the trail. Prepare for potential extremes in temperature and conditions due to microclimatic influences particularly in the summer. Trail users can expect as much as 20 F variations in temperature.
Trail Amenities: Toilets at approximately 2-mile intervals along the trail, starting at Skyline Quarry.
NO WATER IS AVAILABLE ON THE TRAIL. You must bring your own water. At least 1½ quarts per person is recommended.
Persons with Special Needs: Trail users with disabilities may access the trail at Cemetery Gate. The accessible portion of the trail stretches 1.4 miles north of Cemetery Gate to a rest area with accessible restroom facilities. Accessible trail event opportunities will be available for independent use for persons of all abilities. Please call 650-872-5934 for information on special needs access to the trail.
Vegetation: Primarily coastal scrub, old growth Douglas Fir, and mixed hardwood/Douglas Fir woodland.
