Waterdog Lake

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Location

Waterdog Lake is located West of Belmont, off of Highways 92 and 280. To get there, take the Highway 92 exit off of Highway 280, then drive East and take the Ralston exit. Drive down Ralston for about one mile, then turn right onto Hallmark Drive. Drive a short distance on Hallmark Drive, then turn left onto Lake Road, where you should see the gate for the trailhead. Parking is alongside the road. View Larger Google Map

Attractions:

Water Dog Lake is quiet and shady, with lovely wide trail.
As its name suggests, this is a great place to take dogs swimming. However, I believe it was named waterdog for "waterdogs" or salamanders you might see here.
A wooden platform over the lake invites you to venture to where you can look for bugs, frogs, fish, and maybe a waterdog.
There are a wide range of birds as well as deer and rodents that visit this lake.
This lake is popular with mountain bikers.

Limitations:

Stay on the trails to avoid ticks and poison oak!

Season:

Year round, sunrise to sunset

Fees:

Free

Maps & More Information:

See City of Belmont's Open Space Trails Map for more trail options

Handicapped Access:

None.

Recommended routes:

Lake Road Trail Icon Legend
Beginning at the gate at Lake Road, stop at the sign to ponder the map, then head down the wide fire road. You'll see a bench where the trail forks; turn left towards the lake (right takes you down John Brooks Trail, which gets steep in spots, but does lead to two nice vista spots higher up). After the lake comes into view after about 0.6 miles, look for a wide trail to access it, turning to your right. Stop to enjoy the lake, then return the way you came for a total distance of about 1.5 miles.

There is a loop trail leading all the way around the lake, but it is too narrow and has a couple very short steep spots (a ramp is one), so it is only suitable for a baby carrier or backpack. It is only about 0.2 miles long.

If you'd like to hike more, continue along the fire road farther, until you reach the end of the open space trail, at Lyall Way. Return the way you came for a total distance of about 2.7 miles.

Another way to extend the hike is to hike back to the parking area, then walk along Lake Road, cross Hallmark Drive, then continue along the wide Upper Lake Road Trail, which covers a distance of 0.4 miles before ending. It passes through residential area entirely, so it's not as picturesque of a way to travel, but it will add 0.8 miles distance (round trip).

There are several other trails in this open space preserve, most occuring in the South East part of the open space, and quite popular with mountain bikers. They can be quite steep and some are narrow; not recommended for stroller hiking, but maybe for backpacking with baby.