Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve

Bear Creek Redwood Preserve is a newly opened Midpen preserve near Los Gatos. It's been on my list to visit for a long time--first I was waiting for it to open to the public, then I was waiting for a good time to visit after I moved away from the peninsula. My daughter and I finally made the trek out here! Although we did not hike as far as I wanted, we both had an excellent time here, and I am looking forward to a return visit!

Originally, I wanted to try for the 5-mile loop that you can see on the map; however, I did not realize how steep the ascent is. It wouldn't have been too bad if I had not been carrying my daughter on my back.

With her weight and the pack, it's about 30 pounds, which really just made it much harder. It would have been a moderate hike without that weight, but it was turning into a strenuous one with it. I would really like to come back on my own and do my intended hike again, because I am so interested to see the old growth trees along the flatter portion of the Alma Trail.

The park did have other options for children. The short hike along the perimeter of Upper Lake is handicap-accessible, and it's fun to see the ducks on the pond. After we went back down to the parking lot, we spent some time at the lake and it made a really great capper to the hike. This park has a lot of stuff coming. As they make more trails and open more of the open space to the public it will be well worth a return visit!