If you take the Highway 68 East exit from Highway 1 in Monterey, turn right on Olmsted Road, and follow it for a mile, you’ll come upon Jacks Peak County Park, home of Jacks Peak (who knew?), the highest point overlooking Monterey Bay at 1,068 feet above sea level.

While M was attending a conference in Asilomar, I kept myself busy by venturing over to the park early in the morning for a short hike. When I reached it, I discovered the park wouldn’t open until eleven, which threw me for a loop. It served as a good reminder to always double-check the hours and fees of parks before visiting them.

I returned to the park at eleven sharp, paid the three-dollar day use fee, and parked at the Jacks Peak Parking Area (name creativity isn't the park's strong suit).

From the lot, Jacks Peak is only a third of a mile away. It's an easy climb to the top and the view that greets you is commiserate with the effort.

There are just enough trees in the way to prevent you from enjoying a breathtaking view of Monterey Bay. Instead, you get a glimpse of the ocean blue in between treetops and branches.

Because such a short hike was hardly satisfying, I continued along the Skyline Trail that drops down and around Jacks Peak in a counterclockwise fashion. The view from this trail was much better than the one at the top of the peak.

From Skyline, I continued east along the Iris, Rhus, and Madrone Trails. All of these trails were wide and well-maintained. The dips and rises were gradual and the trails were well-shaded. They're perfect for trail running.

Trekking along, I came across a couple of unusual sights including this tree that seemed to be wearing a beard...

And these dramatic clouds...

The steepest part of the hike came just after the junction of the Madrone and Earl Moser Trails, but even then, the uphill suffering was minimal.

At the next junction, I made a quick detour to Bandtail Point and Hidden Meadow. Both were rather disappointing. Bandtail Point didn't offer much of a view...

And Hidden Meadow was so well-hidden that I honestly couldn't find it.

From there, I started heading back west along the Sage and Pine Trails. Both offered glimpses of the beauty of the region.

The park boasts over eight miles of trails. During the two hours or so I was there, I covered roughly five of them.

The park doesn't offer the best views of the bay, but it does offer a great escape from the crowds you'll find on the wharf and Cannery Row in Monterey.