Mile 0.0: Start at the north end of the parking lot, on the signed White Oak Trail. After a short stretch along Page Mill Road, the rutted fire road curves left, ascends through grassland, then drifts back downhill. Mile 0.4: Junction. Bear left to remain on White Oak Trail. The trail drops steeply for a few feet, then steadies out to a moderate downhill. Massive white oaks stand off the sides of the trail, and there are good views south along the length of the forested canyon. A few switchbacks bring the trail down into the canyon, where California bays, live oaks, and Douglas fir shade Stevens Creek. Mile 1.8: Junction. Turn left. The broad trail descends, continuing this journey through the wooded canyon. Mile 2.0: Junction. Continue straight. Stevens Creek Nature Trail crosses some bridges, where pink flowered currant bushes put forth shockingly bright blossoms in early spring. The trail leaves the creek, and climbs easily out of the canyon. Mile 2.5: Junction. Turn right onto Canyon Trail. The trail divides its time between woods and grassland, with little elevation change. Mile 2.7: Junction. Turn left onto Indian Creek Trail. The moderately steep fire road ascends through grassy chaparral. There's little shade to offer any solace in hot weather. Mile 3.7: Multi-trail junction. Turn left onto a path, signed "to backpack camp." Mile 3.8: Junction and backpack camp. Turn left. Oaks and buckeyes tangle on the right, but to the left there's pure grassland along the ridgeline. Mile 3.9: Junction. Bear left onto narrow Old Ranch Trail. Mile 3.9: Bear right onto a small path signed "no bikes/not a through trail." Mile 4.0: Hilltop, with 360 degree views that stretch all the way north to Mount Tamalpais, and east to Mount Diablo. This is the perfect place for a springtime snooze. When you've had your fill, retrace your steps back down the path. Mile 4.1: Turn right onto Old Ranch Trail. Awesome flower displays in the grassland during springtime. You might see bicolor lupine, owl's clover, buttercup, California poppy, johnny-jump-ups, fiddlenecks, and popcorn flower. Old Ranch Trail descends at an easy pace. Mile 4.5: Junction. Bear left onto Bella Vista Trail. The aptly named trail continues downhill, slightly downslope from the ridgeline. Mile 5.3: Junction with Canyon Trail. Turn right. A sag pond is on the right, a reminder that the San Andreas Fault runs through this preserve. Mile 5.4: Side trail departs to the left. Continue straight. Mile 5.5: Junction. Turn left. You'll weave through an old walnut orchard. Mile 5.6: A path feeds in from the left. Bear right and ascend a bit, through grassland, with the canyon containing Stevens Creek visible downhill on the left. Mile 5.8: Junction with Stevens Creek Nature Trail. Continue straight. Mile 5.9: Back at the trailhead.
