I went hiking in Teague several times when I was living in Palo Alto. I discovered this place because I’d already hiked in Huddart, Phleger Estate and Purisima Creek Redwoods a few times. One day I noticed that there was a connection from the southwest corner of Huddart, near where Kings Mountain Road meets Skyline Blvd. Had I not seen that trail alongside the roadway I would not have found the park. I enjoyed the hike and at times it was very tight, like being in a tunnel cut out of the vegetation. The trail looped this way and that and it was partly my curiosity that kept me going: «Where does this lead and what will I find if I keep going?» After about 30 minutes into the hike I got a really weird feeling(«sixth sense» type) that a predatory animal was watching me. I remembered that there had been sightings of mountain lions and this freaked me out a little bit. Not a panic, just a feeling that I shouldn’t be hiking alone. In fact, I hadn’t told anyone where I was going this day. So my hike came to a halt and I decided to head back to my car, which I’d conveniently left at the lot at the trailhead to Purisima on Skyline Blvd. This is an interesting place, in some ways like the western edge of Huddart. I did not encounter any significant grades nor any really large trees. Perhaps that would have changed if I’d continued past my «safety» point. My suggestions: go with a buddy or a small group and carry a walking stick(just in case you encounter a pesky mountain lion who fancies your leg for a quick bite. That is statistically improbable but you never know what could happen.)
Dan B.
Place rating: 2 Redwood City, CA
Teague Hill would seem to be one of the least-traveled of the open space preserves on the peninsula. i finally made plans to hike here, but it wasn’t exactly easy. I had to research the trailhead locations, since the«official» online maps show no trails whatsoever, and other versions show only a single loop circling the interior of the park, with no outlet to civilization at all. «Wait — that can’t be right.» Turns out it isn’t. As for the park itself, terrain and flora are average, eastern-slope park for the Santa Cruz range, with stands of oak, or redwood, and/or bay, intermingled with the odd grove of manzanita or madrone. Trails vary from wide lanes to single track. Unfortunately, the trees are densely packed and views are scarce and limited. I had hopes at almost every hilltop turn, but found no open vistas. That’s not to say the hike wasn’t fun. I never tire of exploring new places. And I got to do some geocaching too. It’s a lonely park. Few of my friends have heard of it, even though it’s sandwiched between two popular parks, Huddart and Wunderlich. And though I hiked here for four hours, and enjoyed a leisurely lunch on the trail, I only saw two people the entire time. It was an elderly couple who were doing a much longer hike than I(Props!). Maybe the reason is the trail markings; In that, there are NONE at all. It was a good thing I had a GPS unit with maps, or I would have taken a wrong turn several times. There are so many side trails and T-junctions it can be confusing. It’s not that you won’t end up on some paved road somewhere. It just may not be the road you planned on. Here are the facts ma’am: – Lower trailheads at the ends of Summit Springs road or Pinto Way — just 5 minutes uphill from the historic Woodside Store. Parking is limited. – Upper trailheads via the Bay Area Ridge trail off Kings Mtn, just below Skyline. Pulloff spots for at least 6 cars or more. The park can also be accessed from Skyline Dr. near the top of El Corte De Madera OSP, but requires traveling several miles on the Bay Area Ridge Trail before reaching the park – As mentioned above, bring some navigation aids if you plan to venture deep into the park ===== May 2015 Update: after several more ventures into the park, I’m downgrading to two stars. The lack of trail signs and number of home-made trails really makes hiking here difficult. Plus, the place sometimes gives me the creeps. Hiking Spot Checklist: – Parking: Limited road-side parking only – Bathrooms: No – Potable water: No – Maps provided: No – Highlights: One of the least-traveled parks in the system, so it’s very quiet
Ann L.
Place rating: 3 Fremont, CA
Went on a guided hike w/Craig — he’s a Sierra Club hike leader. He had a 5 – 7 mi hike here suppose to be slow & easy, usually he does fast hikes &10 miles. We meet at the elementary school in Woodside and took 2 cars to the park. It’s not an official parking spot, it’s on a residential street: Pinto Way. No bathrooms so you just pee by trees. Park is very primitive. No trail sign, names, map. No dogs & no bikes. Only hikers & equestrians. Lots of climbing on some steep trails. We did about 1,000−2,000 ft elev gain. Lunch was on the Bay Area Ridge Trail — not much views. Lots of Redwood Trees, saw 3 banana slugs, & lots of fungus. Recommended if you’ve been everywhere in the Bay Area and just want to get away.
