For over 40 years, a multi-use trail has been envisioned along the creek corridor of Stevens Creek. The cities and the counties have wisely reserved over 100 acres along the creek for public access, and have rejected previous plans to replace the natural creek bed with a cemented channel.
In 1962 a brochure was even published describing the "Stevens Creek Chain of Parks", showing much of the route just as the land still exists today. This followed the construction of Highway 85 and the remaining lands adjacent to it.
The Stevens Creek Trail is currently a 4 mile trail section in Mountain View which extends from Shoreline Park and the Bay Trail almost all the way to El Camino Real, near its crossing of Highway 85. Along the way, the trail goes from the Bay, under Highway 101, under Middlefield Rd., over Central Expressway, past Landel's School (and downtown Mountain View) and over Highway 237 to Yuba Drive - off El Camino by Allison BMW.
The trail runs through tidal marshlands and natural riparian habitats, providing for recreation and educational opportunities. The trail is regularly used for bicycling, bird watching, commuting, dog walking, education, hiking, jogging, nature walks, running, scootering, roller and inline skating, skateboarding, striding, and walking.
For the latest developments, please check our trail
update page.
Stevens Creek is home to a host of native
California wildlife. Raccoons, opossums, quail, hawks, swallows,
jays, and many others make their home in the creek corridor or
use it as a greenbelt thoroughfare for traveling to and from distant
feeding areas. Trail plans stress the importance of restoring
and preserving the creek's natural environment. This includes
planting native vegetation to protect existing wildlife habitats
and to provide wildlife with additional sources of food and shelter.
The Stevens Creek Trail provides access to the creek and, eventually to hundreds of acres of adjacent open space. It is available for hiking, jogging, cycling, and other recreational activities which easily integrate with the natural environment.
The safe, automobile-free route links neighborhoods, local
parks, schools, and businesses including Rancho
San Antonio, Monte
Bello Open Space Preserve, Stevens Creek County Park, McClellan
Ranch, Stevens
Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area and Shoreline
Park. The Trail offers residents an alternative transportation
corridor to avoid the congestion and pollution of the region's
highways. The proposed trail is through Cupertino, Los Altos,
Sunnyvale, and Mountain View. It already connects to Cal
Train and the Light Rail System in Mountain View. The Shoreline
Business Park, commercial areas in Cupertino, and other business
areas near the Trail employ over 30,000 people.
Outstanding environmental education opportunities for the community at large exist in the creek corridor. School children from four schools directly on the creek and the 12 schools within a mile of the creek will have safe access for hands-on nature study. School children will also be invited to participate in trail days to plant native vegetation, and to creek clean-up days. The opportunity also exists to adopt a portion of the Trail. Tours will be regularly available to familiarize the community with the rare riparian habitat provided by Stevens Creek.
Representatives from each of the school districts and the Environmental
Volunteers, a non-profit environmental education organization,
serve on the Advisory Council of the Friends. They are working
together to tailor their curricula to take advantage of the enhanced
access to the creek.
The Stevens Creek Trail route travels through four cities and many neighborhoods, business centers, and school grounds. Over 40,000 people live within walking distance of the Trail. The 30,000 who work near the creek can also benefit from access to the Trail for lunch breaks, alternate transportation, and opportunities to relax in natural environments.
Number of hits:478 since 4/11/2000