The trail from Horseshoe lake to Jikoji starts at skyline drive and runs along the ridge of the Santa Cruz mountains from San Francisco south, toward Santa Cruz. About 6 or 7 miles south of hwy 92, there is an excellent parking area designed to accommodate horse trailers of any size. The parking area lies within the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve which is managed by Mid Peninsula Open Spaces.
https://www.openspace.org/sites/default/files/map_SSR.pdf
The trail runs south following Skyline drive and is a ride that starts at the lake and then winds down to the temple. Please remember that the temple is often having silent meditation retreats and so respect the posted signs so as not to disturb the practitioners. There is a manure fork there and horses are welcome. But we do not want to wear out that welcome and so please ask anyone there where you can dump manure if you need to.
This trail runs about 2 hours in one direction so plan for a half day of riding. It is also hot in the summer and once you get back to your trailer, you should try to have water available for your horse.
Water for Horse: Yes.
Dogs: No.
Cell service: Spotty
Potable water: Yes at the Temple
Public toilet: Yes
What’s really cool is that the monks at Jikoji are very welcoming of horses and are actually happy for the manure for their garden. So much so that they came and performed a beautiful memorial service for one of our dearly departed horses when she died.
Looks awesome. thanks for the info.