Hiker Aakanksha

Whenever I drive on I-280 toward Sandhill Road, I can’t help but notice the majestic dish perched on the rolling hills to my right. It has always fascinated me. I have seen it often from my window in Palo Alto, particularly when its bright red light glows on the parabolic antenna at night.

This is the Stanford Dish, a large radio telescope with a diameter of 150 feet, located in the Stanford foothills. Like the surrounding area, it showcases a unique combination of technology, natural beauty, and ambitious individuals. I have hiked the Stanford Dish loop many times over the years! Either solo or with friends at different times of the day or during rain or shine, doing hill repeats or training with a weighted vest. Each experience is unique and different.

The Stanford Dish loop has multiple gated entrances—specifically, four. The two major entrances are the Alpine Road entrance at Piers Gate and the more popular Stanford Avenue entrance. I once hiked the loop and made sure to touch all the entrances, the whole nine yards! The area is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.

From the Alpine Road entrance, it is a 5.6-mile hike with an elevation gain of 800 feet. There is a small parking lot located across from the Boarding at Webb Ranch. Shortly after the parking area, the Pier Lane begins, and a paved bridge crosses San Francisquito Creek before leading to a wooden bridge.

The lane continues until reaching a gated entrance called the Pier Gate. Once inside the gate, the paved road known as Ranch Road begins. On the left side, there is a ranger’s residence, and the trail turns right with a gradual ascent.

On either side of the trail, tall dead oak snags stand against the changing colors of the sky and the lush green grasslands. The fresh air is filled with the sound of a woodpecker drilling into trees, searching for hidden treasures, as well as the cheerful chirping of birds. As we continue to climb and turn left, the road is lined with old, dead logs and trees. Then the trail begins a sharp incline.

Acorn woodpeckers can be spotted methodically embedding acorns into oak “granaries.” Native birds and small animals nest in the cavities of these dead trees. Sparrows can be seen frolicking in the tall grasses while we pause to catch our breath. As we ascend further, the majestic silhouette of the Stanford Dish Hike starts to emerge against the backdrop of a spectacular, beautiful sky.

After crossing the first cattle guard, the trail ascends gradually, offering a wide expanse of meadows and expansive views. During summer, the meadows look golden while the rest of the year adds luscious green to the scenery. The air is clean, and the cool breeze during the morning or at sunset feels like a soothing balm to the senses. At times, near the shade along the Ranch Road, cows and calves can be seen grazing, filling the air with the smell of cattle and cow dung. This creates a feeling of the countryside, even in the heart of the city.

The meadows along the Ranch Road trail are abundant with wildlife.

On various occasions, I have observed coyotes, tarantulas, bees, and wasps hovering around the wildflowers, as well as salamanders.

Ground squirrels are often seen sitting near the entrances of their burrows, either basking in the sun or keeping an eye out for predators. They frequently stand upright, using their burrows as a vantage point. When we approach, they quickly retreat into their burrows, like little children playing hide and seek. The silence is broken by their calls as they communicate with other members of their colony. A distant sound of the cars on I-280 reminds us that civilization is not far away.

As I turn to the left, I always notice a uniquely shaped dead oak tree on the right that resembles a wooden sculpture, enhancing the beauty of the rolling hills and the colorful sky. To the west are the expansive view features Windy Hill, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and Portola Valley.

As I approach the colossal dish, it truly feels like a marvel. Nature and technology are seamlessly intertwined here. At times, we can hear the sounds of the radio telescope and appreciate the intricate details of the dish, which has a red light perched on top. This dish is still actively used today for academic and research purposes; it assists in commanding and calibrating spacecraft and conducting radio astronomy measurements.

The trail descends and turns left to connect with the main loop after crossing a cattle guard. There is no cover or shade along the trail. Large logs lie on the ground throughout the loop, creating a diverse ecosystem with a microclimate that serves as a habitat for smaller wildlife and tiny plants. The large logs also pose minimal fire risk during the heat of summer.  

As I hiked clockwise, I noticed that the trail was mostly gentle, with some steeper sections. The loop was quite busy, bustling with hikers, runners, and families with strollers. It was wonderful to see so many people being physically active and spending time in nature. I enjoyed overhearing conversations on various topics, ranging from politics to academic projects. At one point, I heard a woman mention that her husband was returning to Earth! Where else could I have heard that?

The grasslands along the loop are designated for field research and conservation, with certain areas restricted. The wild turkeys roaming around and males fanning out their feathers were a beautiful display to see.

The Dish Hiking Trail branches off to the right; to continue, proceed steeply downhill along Reservoir Road. Further down the hill, we passed a covered reservoir on the left, with the Stanford campus visible in the distance and Hoover Tower standing tall.

Further north, on a clear day, I can see San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, the San Mateo Bridge, and the Dumbarton Bridge. In one summer, hike, the area featured dry grasslands, and to the left, there was an old dead tree that housed a nest of a white-tailed kite. It was indeed a spectacular view, with spectators stopping to enjoy it. The grasslands are infested with ticks. As the trail reaches its lowest point, there is a structure on the right and a thick grove of oak trees on the left. Here, scrub jays and, at times, stellar jays can be seen hopping around and calling out. Gophers peeping out!

The Gerona entrance from Junipero Boulevard can be reached by continuing straight. The main trail turns right, while Reservoir Road ascends at an easy grade. On the highest point of this section of the trail, there is a gated Frenchman’s Road entrance on the left, nestled between houses along Junipero Boulevard. The trail continues to climb the grasslands dotted with oak trees and tidy tip wildflowers in spring. Agile swallows flit around, drawing our attention to the rich wildlife that the Dish Hike offers.

The trail ascends slightly and runs along the backyards of houses lining Junipero Serra Boulevard. On the left, the trail from Stanford Avenue joins the main loop. A few evenings, I have spotted white cranes and herons attentively watching for rodents, eager for their next meal.

As Reservoir Road begins to ascend, there is one particularly steep section with 150 feet of elevation gain, offering a beautiful view of the Stanford campus. Over the next mile, the road provides extraordinary, unobstructed panoramic views of the Bay Area. To the west, the densely forested Santa Cruz Mountains capture my attention, while the bare hilltop ridge of Windy Hill, along with the clouds, adds a dreamy quality to the landscape. Further along, stunning views of the East Bay and Mount Diablo fascinate me. Bluebirds perched on fences add a touch of playfulness, and in the distance, a smaller dish can be seen.

Kestrels hover in the sky, fluttering in one spot. What an amazing view! After 5 miles, I came to a familiar junction and turned left towards the Dish. As I retraced my steps back to the trailhead, I felt I was filled with endorphins and healed with a natural aura.

The other entrance to the trail is located at the junction of Junipero Serra Boulevard and Stanford Avenue. This paved trail features a continuous uphill section that connects to the main loop, similar to the Alpine entrance. At the Stanford Avenue gate, there is also a portable restroom and a ranger’s booth. The trail begins on a level surface made of smooth asphalt, typically at least 8 feet wide, before ascending sharply. Along the way, I have seen blue-eyed grasslands and oak trees. The hike spans 3.5 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 534 feet. In early spring, wildflowers such as buttercups bloom in patches, although the grassland can be somewhat weedy. Approx 0.2 miles in, the trail reaches a small saddle and a junction where it merges with the main loop. Hikers can choose to proceed in either direction along this route.

The charm of the Dish hike is quite prominent. Every season, the changing skies, whether it’s day or evening, the picturesque Dish Loop hike stands out, and the views are breathtaking.