Loop trail, Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

The trail gradually curves and climbs from the parking lot to the ridge. There were a lot of butterflies out having fun. Flowers were out as well, though not as plentiful as we had seen on the Soberanes Canyon trail near Carmel.

The views improve as you come up on the ridge, especially towards the seaside. The green rolling hillsides stretched out almost to the sea - it looked really great. My son was enjoying himself, looking at the butterflies flitting among the grasses and flowers, and at the hawks soaring in the skies. It was his first hike in a while and he made us carry him whenever it struck him that he was on a hike! At about half a mile, we took a left at the trail marking "to Ancient Oaks Trail". The trail goes around the hill side passing by a bench. It would be a nice place to sit and think about whatever it is that one thinks about in such places.

Passing that, we came to the Ancient Oaks Trailhead. The left goes to Alpine Road which can be seen below winding its way to Portola Redwoods State Park. We took the right junction. The trail follows the hillside and comes to another trail crossing in a nice shaded spot under old moss covered trees. Wonder how it would feel to be there in the middle of a Pacific rainstorm.

We took the right junction again. If you want a longer loop, you can take a left and make your way to the Vista Point parking lot area and loop back via the ridge trail. The trail right goes back to the ridge trail.  We saw some nice flower displays on this stretch. My son wandered off trail into the tall grasses. I think he had a nice time being outdoors.

Once we hit the ridge trail, it was an uneventful walk back to the parking lot. A nice hike on a nice day.