Sawyer Camp Trail

The Sawyer Camp Trail is a popular six mile segment of the Crystal Springs Regional Trail that located in the San Andreas Fault rift valley in San Mateo County, California near Hillsborough and the San Mateo Highlands. This paved trail starts from the parking area near Crystal Springs Dam and heads north along the Crystal Springs Reservoir. It reaches the north end of the reservoir after about 3.25 miles and begins following creek. About halfway along the trail (3.5 miles), you'll reach the oldest laurel in California, the 600+ year old Jepson Laurel. There are restrooms and a picnic area here, but no water. The trail continues following the creek to the dam on the south side of San Andreas Lake. It heads west here the turns north to wind its way along the lake shore to its end at 6.2 miles. From here, another segment of the Crystal Springs Regional Trail heads north along the lake.