Edgewood County Park is one of those parks that isn't exactly the 'greatest' for horse trails but rather one that provides a challenge in parking, riding, narrow trails and when to get there. It's a Park that everyone who thinks about going into the Sierra should first ride and a Park that a trail rider should definitely put a Trail Bell on one's horse. Plus beginning July 20th, 2004 the Park will be closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday so do it now on a week day and avoid the weekend rush!

Photo courtesy of Friends Of Edgewood

Edgewood County Park is also a Preserve. It's a great fall riding Park because of the color of leaves and a spring riding Park (after the trails have dried up) for the blooming of wildflowers. Within its boundaries are at least seven rare and endangered plant species one being the San Francisco Thornmint which up until a few years ago was "thought to be extinct". The Bay Checkerspot Butterfly once an inhabitant of the whole Bay Area and now on the endangered species list is found only in Edgewood and in Kirby Canyon. So when riding in Edgewood, stay on the trails and take only pictures to remember the plants and wildlife!!

To get to Edgewood take 280 north to San Francisco (or south if coming from San Francisco direction) to the Edgewood Road turnoff. It's a big turnoff with its own dedicated lane.

When coming off the freeway and at the stop sign, turn towards the Bay and go down the hill. The hill is steep so to keep from wearing out brakes, gear down to low and let engine compression hold the rig back. Tap brakes only to slow down and before turning at the Edgewood Park sign. Here one will make a right turn into the entrance and then swing an immediate right into the parking lot.

The right turn into Edgewood is sharp so slow down and DO NOT GO ACROSS THE BRIDGE. If you cross the bridge, the main parking lot is small and the turn at the end is tight. You may have to back a rig out if you cross the bridge -- I can't make the turn with my trailer and camper not only because of the trailer length (2-horse straight load with tack room) but because of overhanging trees. So STOP AT THE BRIDGE.

Photo courtesy of San Mateo Cty. Parks & Recreation

Pull into the entrance and size up the parking lot. It's long and narrow. At one time a person could drive in and then maneuver a turn but now with the dirt berm along Edgewood Drive, it's narrow plus the tree in the center of the lot is closed off with railroad ties so one can't drive around the tree either. But you'll want to get turned around to face out because over flow parking from the main parking lot uses this area too and once in, you want to be turned around!

The best way to get into the dirt parking lot is to back in. Go up to the bridge, stop and then back into the parking lot.

The lot is on an incline. 90% is uphill or downhill -- depending on which way your going! So back in, around the tree and then down to the line of trees along the creek. That's the only level area to unload horses on. (Actually it's not a bad parking lot. It's good experience backing up but if you work long enough and jockey around, one can turn around in it without backing in. It's just that you have to keep backing up and down the incline.)

Trails in Edgewood are basically single trek!! Which is why a Trail Bell is advisable. A Trail Bell is a little Swiss bell one attaches to the horse's cinch or breast collar. As the horse moves it tinkles a soft bell sound. Just enough to catch the attention of other trail users that someone is on the trail. The use of a Trail Bell will help avoid those face to face encounters between hiker and horse around a narrow switchback and on blind corners.

Once saddled, ride back to the bridge and cross. There's maps in the little box on the bulletin board and straight ahead is a sign that says "Edgewood Trail/Serpentine Trail/Canada Road". That's the trail you'll ride. Turn right and ride up hill!

This part of the trail is wide, about 18-20 inch tred. Further up it goes to about 14-18 and then opens back up to 20-24 inches wide. Trails are narrow because of the Preserve status and even though the Trail is only about 2 miles long, it's interesting!

One word of caution about the trail map. On the map is an Edgewood Trail which is shown on the west side of the creek and the service road which seems to make a loop. If you're a rabbit riding a ground squirrel, you'll maybe get through the west side of the loop. Anything bigger, forget it!! I actually walked the area looking for it and found it in a couple spots but there was no way me and my horse were going to get through that area. It was completely grown up. I even saw a chipmunk dragging a mini-chainsaw in one place and he was struggling to get through the brush in one spot.......that will give you an idea how dense it is!! Plus on the map, it doesn't even show the Edgewood Trail/Serpentine Trail beginning from the parking lot. Only the Sylvan Trail which is CLOSED to horses. So pick up a map, but follow the signs. Who knows, you may find the lost section of Edgewood Trail that I couldn't find!

The Park is off limits to bikes. But you'll see tread marks so be aware that 'they' do appear on the trail. Hikers, joggers and runners are the main other users and although most joggers and runners are friendly, a couple were disturbed at the horse's right-of-way rule so when possible, let 'em go on by. But all were happy to hear me coming and commented about the "use of a bell".

The Edgewood Trail will eventually loop around and you'll arrive at the top of a ridge. Here you can continue on the Serpentine Loop or turn right and ride under 280 towards Edgewood Road and then down to Canada Road. It's a hot ride, not much to see and when I arrived at the intersection of Canada Road and Edgewood......it was turn around and go back. If you want to continue, one can cross Canada Road and ride along the Crystal Springs Trail (which is another trail article coming up).

To go under 280, one will ride through a box culvert. It's gravel and dirt on the bottom and like the Alameda Creek Trail where it goes under 880 and other streets can be a little spooky to a horse. After rains or in wet weather, it gets muddy so if planning to ride after wet weather call the San Mateo County Environmental Services Agency, Parks and Recreation Division at (650) 368-6283 to see if the culvert is open.

As I said, it may not be the most attractive of horse trails in the Bay Area Parks but it's a Park that should be ridden. Any horse trail in any Park should be included on one's list of where to ride. After all, we need every inch of trail riding space available and Edgewood will leave you with its own little endearing memories!