Near Fremont Older to Steven's Creek Reservoir Loop
Cora Older Trail emerging
Near Fremont Older to Steven's Creek Reservoir Loop
The Creekside Trail descends through a shaded oak grove.
Near Fremont Older to Steven's Creek Reservoir Loop
On the Cora Older Trail.
Near Fremont Older to Steven's Creek Reservoir Loop
In the warmer months, snakes can be seen crossing the trails of the preserve. Keep an eye on the trail!
Near Fremont Older to Steven's Creek Reservoir Loop
The trail emerges at the junction with the Stevens Creek/Tony Look Trail.

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Route

Fremont Older to Steven's Creek Reservoir Loop

4.3 (24 Ratings)
Wide open bay views descend into lush singletrack and steep climbs.
7.6
mi
Distance
1,598
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
LakeViewsWildflowers
Access Issues
Fremont Older closes half hour after sunset. Steven's Creek closes at sunset.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
7.65mi
Distance
1,598ft
Elevation Gain
1,598ft
Elevation Loss
75%
Max Grade
1,104ft
High Point
460ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
Start from the main parking lot and get the ascending underway on the Cora Older Trail. This trail winds through shaded doubletrack and opens up to grass lands and gravel fire road roads. Continue up the fire road and turn left to start making your way down the Hayfield Trail. Shortly along the Hayfield Trail, you'll come to a trailhead for the Toyon Trail. The Toyon Trail continues through a short section of slightly uphill doubletrack and dumps you out to the Bay Trail. Continue slight right / straight onto the Bay View Trail fire road. The aptly named Bay View Trail provides exactly that, views of the bay and valley. Look out for horses and horse poop. This trail is gradually uphill although it looks flat. When you come close to the water tower, turn right onto the Coyote Ridge Trail fire road. Turn left at the next fork and start descending. Head for the electrical line tower on the trail, and you'll come to the Steven's Creek County Park Entrance and the trailhead for the Lookout Trail. This is where your descent on lush narrow singletrack begins! There will be lots of twists, tight turns, and some log steps to jump off of as you make your way down into the canyon. The Lookout Trail eventually turns into the Stevens Creek / Tony Look Trail, which provides mostly the same experience of lush singletrack, with some hot exposed climbs thrown in too. The trail flattens out shortly as you hike along the reservoir. Keep going past the dam and down a short and steep rocky section. Turn right onto the Coyote Ridge Trail, which starts your ascent back to the top of Fremont Older. The Coyote Ridge Trail is all fire road, very steep, and dry. You are rewarded with more valley views when you top out on the ridge. Go along the ridge and turn left onto the Hayfield Trail and fly down this steep section back to the Cora Older Trail. Instead of turning left down to the parking lot, go straight through to the Creekside Trail where you'll get one last sample of shaded singletrack before you hit the road. Turn left on the road and shake it all out as you head to the parking lot.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Fremont Older Open Space Loop

Hike Route

Fremont Older Open Space Loop

Views
moderate
5.77 mi
+1,150 ft
Cora and Seven Springs Loop

Hike Route

Cora and Seven Springs Loop

Views
moderate
2.77 mi
+567 ft
Coyote, Lower Meadow, and Permanente Creek Loop

Hike Route

Coyote, Lower Meadow, and Permanente Creek Loop

Birding
moderate
3.03 mi
+264 ft
Wildcat Loop

Hike Route

Wildcat Loop

River/Creek
moderate
4.86 mi
+624 ft
Upper Rogue Valley - Upper High Meadow - PG&E Loop

Hike Route

Upper Rogue Valley - Upper High Meadow - PG&E Loop

Birding
strenuous
9.33 mi
+1,618 ft
Rancho Ridge Loop

Hike Route

Rancho Ridge Loop

Less Crowded
strenuous
13.4 mi
+2,445 ft
Contributors
philip watkins