Cupertino / Saratoga Area Advocacy Priorities
We’re focusing on key trail access and development opportunities in the Saratoga & Cupertino Areas. These priorities reflect feedback from riders, local advocates, and trail history. Details and Maps Below!
1. Upper Stevens Canyon Trail Connection
What:
- Create a new trail linking Stevens Canyon Rd (near Picchetti Ranch / Stevens Creek Reservoir) to Canyon Trail in Monte Bello OSP (near the Table Mountain junction).
- Provide a car-free, dirt alternative to bypass the unsafe lower stretch of Stevens Canyon Rd.
Why it matters:
- This missing link has been discussed for over 20 years and would connect Cupertino and Saratoga residents directly into Monte Bello via trail.
- Eliminates a dangerous road ride, improving safety and access for hikers and bikers alike.
- Opens up new loop opportunities from the valley into the ridge, reducing dependence on cars for access.
- Ensuring multi-use design with bike access is critical for equity and trail connectivity.
- Ref: Historic Proposals – Upper Stevens Canyon
2. Stevens Creek Trail Extension (Linda Vista Park to Stevens Creek County Park)
What:
- Extend the Stevens Creek Trail southwest from Linda Vista Park to Stevens Creek County Park.
- Driven by former Cupertino Mayor Richard Lowenthal and community volunteers who already secured land and built the Linda Vista Park and Varian Park extensions.
- Next step requires an agreement between a private landowner and Midpen (MROSD) to complete the connection.
Why it matters:
- Would give Cupertino residents and trail users direct access to Stevens Creek County Park and Fremont Older Preserve without riding the heavily traveled Stevens Canyon Rd.
- Builds on successful grassroots work that opened prior segments—proof this project has strong local leadership and momentum.
- Critical connection for hikers, bikers, and families linking city parks to major open space preserves.
- Ref: Friends of Stevens Creek Trail
3. Parker Ranch Trail (Saratoga)
What:
- Revisit bike access on the Parker Ranch Trail in Saratoga, which connects Prospect Rd to Parker Ranch Rd.
- Historically open to bikes and once a popular singletrack route for advanced riders, but officially closed to bicycles by Saratoga Parks & Rec around 2000.
- Today it remains a scenic, well-built singletrack that could again serve as a safe connector to Fremont Older OSP, bypassing a busy stretch of Prospect Rd.
Why it matters:
- Restoring bike access would reconnect a historic trail corridor long used by local riders, in a way that supports safe, sustainable multi-use recreation.
- Would provide a critical alternative to Prospect Rd, improving safety for cyclists heading to and from Fremont Older.
- Recognizes past issues of illegal trailbuilding, while focusing on a constructive path forward—working with Saratoga and landowners to make this an official, shared-use trail again.
- Ref: SVMTB – Parker Ranch Closed (2007)
4. Lehigh Quarry / Black Mountain Connector
What:
- Explore the potential for a dirt trail connection from Stevens Canyon up to Black Mountain across the Lehigh/Hanson Quarry property.
- While much of the site is active quarry land, large areas remain in a natural state and could provide a future trail corridor.
- The quarry is slated for long-term reclamation over the next 40 years, opening a window to plan for recreational access.
Why it matters:
- A Stevens Canyon–to–Black Mountain trail would be a transformative connection, linking valley communities directly to the Bay Area Ridge Trail corridor.
- Could provide safer, dirt-based access in place of current road routes, reducing conflicts and improving user experience.
- Early advocacy is critical to ensure trails are included in reclamation and land use planning for the quarry site.
- Ref: Lehigh/Hanson Quarry Reclamation Plans
Tell Us What You Think
Got a favorite trail idea? Share your thoughts to help us prioritize: