Overlooking the town of Los Gatos and the south bay, Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve is the District's largest preserve, encompassing 15,525 acres of mostly rugged and steep terrain. This preserve has the natural beauty of an unspoiled wilderness, and attracts many visitors seeking a more vigorous hiking, biking, or equestrian experience. The environment of Sierra Azul is strikingly varied. One can visit serpentine grasslands, hard, rocky, and steep chaparral, dense stands of bay trees, or quiet, shaded oak woodland forests. For the more hardy explorers, there are deep ravines and riparian corridors, some containing seasonal or year-round water flow. Wildlife is abundant in Sierra Azul. The entire preserve is prime mountain lion habitat and also provides homes for deer, bobcats, coyotes, and many other species of animals. Sierra Azul ("Blue Range") is a true wilderness area, yet surprisingly close to the urban areas of the south bay, making it a popular destination. Kennedy-Limekiln Area -- There are three distinct areas within Sierra Azul. The most popular is the Kennedy-Limekiln Area, accessible from Kennedy Road in Los Gatos, and from Highway 17, adjacent to Lexington Reservoir County Park and St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve. The 2,920-acre area includes 15 miles of trails, providing hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians with some excellent, strenuous loop trails. The popular Kennedy Trail/Limekiln Trail loop covers over 14 miles, and includes nearly 2,000 feet in elevation gain. For a shorter, but still energetic hike or ride, try the five-mile Priest Rock Trail, with an 800-foot elevation gain. Mt. Umunhum Area -- The Mt. Umunhum Area features the 3,486-foot mountain named after the Ohlone word for "resting place of the hummingbird." This 10,464-acre area marks the southern end of the entire District, and includes the former Almaden Air Force Base, which was part of the early-warning radar network of decades past. There is no public access to the top of Mt. Umunhum due to toxic contaminants, physical hazards, and intervening private property. The District is working with the federal government toward a cleanup of the site, and intends to eventually restore the area to a more natural condition that is suitable for public access. As the District acquires more property in this area, a trail network will be developed. For now, there is a half-mile trail leading to Bald Mountain, a grassy hillside offering expansive views of the Almaden Valley and the Mt. Hamilton range to the east. Additionally, the 6.2-mile Woods Trail takes visitors over the top of 3,000-foot Mt. El Sombroso, through deep ravines with shady, cool groves of madrone, and into the Kennedy-Limekiln Area trail network. Dogs are not allowed in the Mt. Umunhum Area. Directions: Kennedy-Limekiln Area: Parking is available at the Lexington Reservoir entrance to Sierra Azul, accessible from Highway 17. From southbound Highway 17, take the Bear Creek Road exit, cross over the highway, and go 0.4 miles north on Highway 17 to Alma Bridge Road. Proceed across the dam to the parking area at Lexington Reservoir County Park. From the parking area, visitors can continue on Alma Bridge Road a short distance to the Limekiln Trail trailhead (District gate #SA22), on the left side of the road. The Priest Rock Trail trailhead is a short distance further on the road (District gate #SA21), also on the left side. The trailhead for the Kennedy Trail is accessible from Kennedy Road in Los Gatos, approximately 1.5 miles west of its intersection with Shannon Road, at District gate #SA01. There is very limited parking at this trailhead. Mt. Umunhum Area: To reach the trailhead for Woods Trail, travel south on Camden Avenue in San Jose, and turn right on Hicks Road. Proceed for approximately 6 miles, then turn right on Mt. Umunhum Road (also known as Loma Almaden Road). The trail and limited roadside parking near District gate #SA06 can be seen on the right side of the roadway. Continuing up Mt. Umunhum Road, visitors will reach District gate #SA07, where, on the right side of the road, there is very limited parking. The Bald Mountain Trail trailhead is on the left side of the road. There is no public access west of Barlow Road (District gate #SA09).