Coal Creek Open Space Preserve provides you with a variety of environments. The dense oak and madrone forests found along Crazy Petes Road offer cool shelter from the hot, summer sun. Along this historic trail, seasonal waterfalls can be found in the wetter winter months. Much of the same wildlife found at Russian Ridge lives in 493-acre Coal Creek: coyotes, cottontail rabbits, bobcats, and even mountain lions have been spotted here. In the moist, forested areas, watch out for bright yellow banana slugs or newts crossing your path! Coal Creek is an ideal place for a quick afternoon hike; several trails can be combined to create a pleasant two- or three-mile loop. Vistas of the San Francisco Bay Area can be seen from the open grassland ridges below the vista point parking area. The preserve's five miles of trails provide important trail connections between Skyline Boulevard and Alpine Road for hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians. Mountain bicyclists take advantage of this connection to complete loops through Russian Ridge back to Portola Valley. Directions: The Russian Ridge parking area is located at the intersection of Skyline Boulevard (Route 35) and Alpine Road. Additional parking is located at the Caltrans Vista Point on Skyline Boulevard. You can reach Coal Creek Open Space Preserve from the vista point or further north along Skyline Boulevard at Crazy Petes Road. Coal Creek is also accessible to hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians from Alpine Road.