Woodrat Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views

The Enid Pearson-Arastradero Preserve trails are either crushed gravel or dirt, making them ideal for running. Most of the gravel trails are wide while most of the dirt trails are narrow (2-3 feet wide). Depending on the weather, some areas might be muddy and turned up due horses and mountain bikers using the trail. It is important to be alert to your surroundings due to the trail being shared with horseback riders and mountain bikers. Hikers and runners are asked to yield to horses for everyone’s safety.

To access the Woodrat Trail, use the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail and turn left at the first Meadowlark Trail intersection. Follow the Meadowlark Trail for .3 miles, and then the trail breaks off to the left.

The trail narrows and becomes dirt as it leaves the Meadowlark Trail and makes its way toward a connector trail on the right that leads to Bowl Loop. The trail moves toward the left and the woods that are found there. It starts to descend in earnest, which makes it a popular trail for mountain bikers as there are several switchbacks that make for a challenging descent.

The shade of the trail is nice and provides nice cover from the sun. Birds can be seen in the trees along the trail as it descends through the ravine. The trail straightens out as it approaches the Arastradero Creek Trail, which is a wide, gravel trail that runs from the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail (to the left) and the Foothills Park entrance (to the right). Going to the left will allow you to return to your car by passing the Arastradero Lake.

Deer, coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes, turkeys, hawks, turkey vultures, and other varieties of birds can be seen in the area. Mountain lion sightings have been reported in the area, so keep an eye out.