Introduction:

Last visit was at:Aug. 2022

The large lake is day and almost empty, this is the lowest water level that I saw.

Let's hope we will have rainy winter.

Where? : Take the N. Foothill Blvd. exit from the 280 hwy, after 1 mils it change it name to Stevenses Canyon rd., after 2.2 miles you will reach your destination on your left.

Google Map Link

What? : Large park with several picnic area and hiking options near the large Stevens Creek lake (water activities can be done during summer).

Related blogs:
Fremont Older Preserve, Saratoga
McClellan Ranch Preserve
Rancho San Antonio Preserve
Stevens Creek paved Trail (Sunnyvale to Waterfront)
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve
Villa Montalvo
Saratoga Quarry Park
Bay Waterfront Trails
Don Edwards and Alviso Marina County Park
Vasona Lake County Park
Los Gatos Creek County Park

Due note: You will need to pay for parking, there are few pay stations; one is located in the main park entrance in the first parking lot.

The Visit:

Park Lake Section:

Park trail view (zoom-out):

The park has 2 sections:

The main park section is near the lake where you can find on your left the park main entrance, this is just before the lake, so if you reach the lake dam & ramp you need to drive back.

Here you can find a small visitor center and many picnic options, some are near the creek and most are on higher ground.

You can turn right into Montebello Rd just after the quarry entrance (near the lake where the main road is during a sharp U turn to the left). The narrow Montebello Rd is climbing up the mountain side, and after 0.6 mile you will reach Picchetti Ranch open space viniard and parking on your left.

if you decided to stay near the lake main road you can park near the lake ramp on the roadside or keep driving and use the nice Lakeshore Picnic Area that will be on your left.

If you keep driving alongside the lake you will find Sycamore Picnic Area, the entrance will be on your left.

Shortly after the junction with Mnt. Eden Rd. (you should turn right) and you will reach the 2 parking area near the creek (Canyon Picnic Area, Cooley Picnic Area).

The lake section:

The trail starts at the small Park Visitor Center going to the base of the dam and from there it is going to the east slide of the lake. Except a short climb this is an easy trail all the way to loop section.

From this end of the trail you need to hike back.

a 1/4 of a mile before the Loop Trail ends there is additional trail on your left that is heading into the forest (Tony look trail).

This single-track trail is heading south, viewing the lake from above.

This trail is can lead you all the way to Stevens Creek Tony Look Trail Head on Stevens Canyon Rd. From this point the trail change its name to Lookout Trail, it climbs all the way to the mountain ridge top (PG&E power line). From the viewpoint you have few options to continue into Fremont Older Preserve, I recommend to hike to Coyote Ridge Trail that will lead you back down to the lake dam, this will create an 7.5 miles loop hike.

The south west section:
Near the junction of Stevens Canyon Rd. with Mt Eden Rd there are few picnic sites and you can find river access road sides locations in the canyon.

Hiking trail to Picchetti Ranch: Park at Canyon picnic or nearby Cooley picnic area.

Cross the road and the creek over the bridge, the trail start at Cooley picnic area, this is a good place to access the creek.

The 1.3 miles Zinfandel trail will take you all the way up to Picchetti Ranch open space on the ridge above.