El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve
El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve, known to locals as Skeggs (after Skeggs Point), is a 2908 acres open space preserve in San Mateo County, California.
The Story
Recreation The preserve contains over 34 miles of trails for bicycles, horses, and hiking.
A portion of the Bay Area Ridge Trail runs through the park.
History Starting in the 1860s, the area was logged. Eight mills were operated in the area. Modern logging continued on and off until 1988.
In 1953, BCPA Flight 304 crashed in what is now the preserve, killing all on board. An historical marker in the park commemorates the site.
Prior to its acquisition by the Mid-peninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD), the area was also used by a local motorcycle club (PITS); who built an extensive network of trails in addition to the old logging trails.
In the mid-90s, MROSD began taking a more active role in the management of trails in the preserve; closing several trails, and realigning or a
From the Air
Located at 37.412N, 122.309W in the San Francisco Peninsula / Silicon Valley area. Nearest airports: KPAO (Palo Alto), KSJC (San Jose International), KNUQ (Moffett Field).