Hike the Arrowhead Loop Trail

On August 13th, 2015, Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve's Arrowhead Trail was certified by the National Park Service as an official interpretive site of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. The 4-mile long Arrowhead Loop Trail is open to visitors and provides an opportunity to learn more about the expedition. This challenging one-way 4-mile loop meanders past rare serpentine rock outcroppings, through grasslands and forest canopy composed of oaks and California bays, and runs along seasonal creeks that spring alive in winter. Avid bird watchers will enjoy soaring red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, and turkey vultures. Spring months bring dazzling wildflowers blanketing hillsides and meadows and pollinators such as birds, bees, and butterflies. To hike the loop, continue on the trail to a service road along a ridgeline. Be on alert for poison oak while traversing a grove of buckeye trees whose canopy shades from the hot sun. Among annual grasslands, you will see a short spur trail leading to a secluded picnic table. Back on the trail, watch for mule deer and bobcats among the California bays, blue oaks, and buckeyes. Please note the cows, whose grazing helps control invasive plants. As you descend to the valley floor and reach the Heart’s Delight Trail, scan the meadow for sly coyotes and soaring raptors.