Stevens Creek County Park & Lake

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Introduction:



At Aug. 2022:
The large lake is day and almost empty, this is the lowest water level that I saw.
Let's hope we will have rainy winter.

As of Feb 2023 the lake is overflowing into the downstream creek

What? : 

Large park with several picnic area and hiking options near the large Stevens Creek lake (water activities can be done during summer). 


Where? : 
Take the N. Foothill Blvd. exit from highway 280, after 1 mil it change it name to Stevenses Canyon rd., after 2.2 miles you will reach your destination on your left.

2022 picture:



Feb. 2023 pictures:




Due note: You will need to pay for parking, there are few pay stations; one is located in the main park entrance in the first parking lot.



The Visit:


The park has 2 Sections: 
  • The main park section near the lake
  • Section connected to Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve

The main park section is near the lake.
When coming from Cupertino you can find on your left the park main entrance, this is just before the lake, so if you reach the lake dam & ramp you need to drive back.

Here you can find a small visitor center and many picnic area options, some are near the creek and most are on higher level.

You can turn right into Montebello Rd just after the quarry entrance (near the lake where the main road is during a sharp U turn to the left).
The narrow Montebello Rd is climbing up the mountain side, and after 0.6 mile you will reach Picchetti Ranch open space vineyard and parking on your left.


Lake Access:
During the summer month you can get into the lake.
There is a entrance ramp and paying station on the side of the road.

 


If you decided to stay near the lake main road you can park near the lake ramp on the roadside or keep driving and use the nice Lakeshore Picnic Area that will be on your left.


If you keep driving alongside the lake you will find Sycamore Picnic Area, the entrance will be on your left.
Shortly after the junction with Mnt. Eden Rd. (you should turn right) and you will reach the 2 parking area near the creek (Canyon Picnic Area, Cooley Picnic Area).




Hikes in the main park section


The Lake Hike:


The trail starts at the small Park Visitor Center and from there there is an exit from the road to the trail.



From this point the trail will lead you to the base of the dam.

Here you need to take the side trail to your right, if you keep hiking the main trail you will clime up the ridge.

After climbing the short up hill section alongside the dam the trail following the east slide of the lake. Except a short climb this is an easy trail all the way to it end.

From this end of the trail you need to hike back.








Long Loop hike:

A longer loop hike that climb the mountain ridge top that connecting Stevens Creek park to Fremont Older Park.
Overall this is 6.5 miles long hike with 1,150 ft elevation gain.


You start the same as in the lake out and back hike, a 1/4 of a mile before the Loop Trail ends there is another trail on your left that is heading into the forest (Tony look trail).

This single-track trail is heading south, viewing the lake from above.

This trail is can lead you all the way to Stevens Creek Tony Look Trail Head on Stevens Canyon Rd. From this point the trail change its name to Lookout Trail, it climbs all the way to the mountain ridge top (PG&E power line).
From the viewpoint you have few options to continue into Fremont Older Preserve, I recommend to hike to Coyote Ridge Trail that will lead you back down to the lake dam, this will create an 7.5 miles loop hike.



The south west Park section - Picchetti Ranch:
Near the junction of Stevens Canyon Rd. with Mt Eden Rd there are few picnic sites and you can find river access road sides locations in the canyon.

Hiking trail to Picchetti Ranch:
Park at Canyon picnic or nearby Cooley picnic area.
Cross the road and the creek over the bridge, the trail start at Cooley picnic area, this is a good place to access the creek.

The 1.3 miles Zinfandel trail will take you all the way up to Picchetti Ranch open space on the ridge above.







This is a nice trail climbing up moderately the ridge in the wood with few viewpoints on the lake below. 


Once reaching Picchetti Ranch section there are few short trails options including the Orchard trail loop. Going back to your car below on the same way we went up (overall this is 3 miles hike).


another options that is recommended to families small kids is to park at the Picchetti Ranch near the winery (take the Montebello Rd.) and hike at the nearby easy trails.





My Thoughts:

I visit here many times, it is not far from my house, the park has many different things to offer (trails in the woods, mountains, lake, streams,...).

I really like the trail that is going along the lake, did it many time combining it with Fremont older hike, creating 8 miles loop.


Map:

https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Documents/StCrkMainFinal.pdf

 

Stevens Creek County Park Lakeshore Picnic Area

https://goo.gl/maps/hoYGrupSeXto79qL6


Additional Pictures:
























Pictures from my Nov 27, 2021 visit:
































Location: Stevens Creek County Park, 11401 Stevens Canyon Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA

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