Arroyo Trail

The Arroyo Trail is a good alternative to the South Ridge Trail. There are no overly steep sections, but it is a steady climb. Unlike the South Ridge Trail and Bluff Trail, the bare hiking path is less than a foot wide, but the brush has been cut back away from the trail. The Arroyo Trail starts at the end of the connector Green Gate Trail that leads from the Devils Slide parking lots at the Headlands kiosk. At the north end of the open area, turn right on a road heading downhill and then immediately turn left on a trail that leads to an old road that runs gradually downhill through a shaded eucalyptus forest. Eucalyptus is not native. Commonly only a small range of plants grow beneath it; but here, the moisture and good soil allow for an unusual number of native plants and flowers. After about 300 yards, an obvious trail branches off to head up the arroyo. You can continue down the road for another 1/4th mile or so, until you come to a gate that is signed "Private Property, No Trespassing". During the rainy season, the trail crosses a nice small stream that flows down the arroyo. Shortly after rains, the trail can be muddy, but the mud doesn't stick to your boots. The trail climbs steadily for another 0.4 miles. The junction with the Middle Ridge Trail is in the middle of this section. From February through June, an increasing number of flowers come into bloom. In wet years, the peak bloom is around mid-June. In dry years, the peak is a month or two earlier . The website, Vppt.org (for Virtural Pedro Point), has extensive information about the park. It is organized into sections: Maps and Trails, Life, Earth Sciences, History, Restore, and Learning Stations.