Crystal Springs Regional Trail facts for kids
The Crystal Springs Regional Trail is a fantastic county park located in California. It stretches from San Bruno in the north down to Woodside in the south. This park is special because it has three main trails. These are the Crystal Springs Trail, the Sawyer Camp Trail, and the San Andreas Trail. They all run along the eastern side of San Andreas Lake in San Mateo County.
Long ago, thousands of years before today, the Shalshone Indians lived in this area. The Crystal Springs Reservoir, which is different from San Andreas Lake, is now an important part of San Francisco's water system. It helps bring water from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to the city.
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Discover the Crystal Springs Regional Trail
This amazing trail system offers a great way to explore nature. You can walk, run, or bike along its paths. The trails are mostly flat, making them easy for everyone to enjoy. They offer beautiful views of the lakes and surrounding hills. It's a perfect spot for outdoor adventures.
What Makes the Trails Special?
The Crystal Springs Regional Trail is made up of three main parts. Each part has its own unique feel.
- The Crystal Springs Trail is in the southern section.
- The Sawyer Camp Trail is in the middle.
- The San Andreas Trail is in the northern part.
All these trails follow the edge of San Andreas Lake. This means you get lovely lakeside views as you go.
A Look at the San Andreas Fault
The Crystal Springs Reservoir is long and narrow. This is because it sits right on top of the famous San Andreas Fault. This fault is a huge crack in the Earth's crust. It runs for hundreds of miles through California. The fault actually goes right through the Crystal Springs Reservoir itself!
Where Else Can We See the Fault?
If you look at maps or satellite pictures, you can see the San Andreas Fault continues north. It goes past San Francisco, through Tomales Bay, and into Point Reyes National Seashore. It looks like a long, straight line. This shows how massive and important this geological feature is.
The Strong Crystal Springs Dam
There is a dam called the Crystal Springs Dam. It holds back the water in the reservoir. This dam is incredibly strong. It has survived two very powerful earthquakes.
Earthquakes and the Dam
The first big earthquake was the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. This was a huge event that caused a lot of damage. The second was the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Even though both quakes were very strong, the Crystal Springs Dam was not damaged at all. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed this. This shows how well it was built.
