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Rhus Ridge Trailhead
4.5 ★★★★★ 245 Google reviews · Running trail in Los Altos Hills, California · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 1 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Rhus Ridge Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Black mountain known for its vistas, with steep climbs and trails for hiking and jogging.
What runners say about Rhus Ridge Trailhead
“The trail starts flat, but quickly goes steep, but when you get to the top, there are many different options with great views all.”
(January/22/2021). I’m learning that hiking in the rain is as much fun as hiking when the sun is out. “ There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes!” There are so many different ways to hiking up to Black Mountain Summit.
Rest of reviews cover the [ 700ft up in 1mile ] , [good views], [9 parking spots] aspects : ) And here's photos of the easy to miss access to parking, the signage (mtn lion research project!), and the start of hike where the horse is. Looks like it wd enjoy a carrot or apple if you bought one.
Excellent trail, Hard level, quite shady, very steep on the way up gains almost 2500 ft in t mile distance. You are awarded with larger than life views of the Bay in clear days. No bugs or mosquitoes encountered this time around.
Pros: a very nice trail under good care. It has 9 parking spots, including handicap. The trail starts flat, but quickly goes steep, but when you get to the top, there are many different options with great views all.
Trail conditions & character
“Start by hiking up relatively steep slope of the Rhus Ridge trail then split to the Black Mountain trail which is mostly flat until the final portion of steep climb up.”
“However, there's not much parking (like, maybe 8-12 spots), the road up to the lot is very narrow - I'm not sure it could actually fit 2 cars side by side.”
“Not too much of views exist on the way hiking up since the rain was strong,It was so wet and cold, I can only able to see 50 feet in front of me.”
“Start by hiking up relatively steep slope of the Rhus Ridge trail then split to the Black Mountain trail which is mostly flat until the final portion of steep climb up.”
“No bathroom or water fountains, but lots of parking for this trailhead that is off the beaten path.”
“The hike to the Mary Davey Loop is steep but exhilarating.”
“No bathroom or water fountains, but lots of parking for this trailhead that is off the beaten path.”
Plan your run at Rhus Ridge Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- Loop distance1 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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