Thanks for the history lesson. I forgot about the Secret Sidewalk and where it is located. Would love to take my Grandson's to at least see the opening location.

I'm a 50's person and we also had great party's through there and at Niles canyon picnic area where we swain in pool or lake, danced and had picnic's. Then down to the fountain which smilled like dead egg's. All of this great fun of nature for free.
So sad that people destroy these great gifts of natural pleasure's.

Our group road our bikes from the "Village" (San Lorenzo Village) to Nile's. I'm tired just thinking of it. Whew.

Thanks for the great story.

Zoneil,

The Secret Sidewalk is an old abandoned aqueduct that runs through the Niles Hills. It was built way back in the early 1900's or even before, but it's real lure was the fact it was so well hidden and kids would go up there to party and get away from the world. This is also where the infamous "Troll" of Niles Canyon used to live.

The Troll was this guy who served in Vietnam back in the 60's who got set ablaze or so the Story goes and when he came back to State side he was Homeless so he chose to live in the Niles Hills. I only Encountered the Troll once, I had been Introduced to the Sidewalk at just 9 Years old, I wandered off and subsequently got lost.

The Troll found me, and escorted me back out of the Hills. The Story of the Secret Sidewalk goes much deeper though, some people left dieing declarations with spray paint on the aqueduct right before they committed Suicide. Others left messages like "Tommy (heart) Lucia - 1941", the paint was clearly faded but the words left their mark.

So much History was there, it was awesome. High School Kids threw big parties up there dating back to the 1930's at least, These days the Land is Off Limits, and a Security force with Weapons patrols it. They even have Cameras recording you when you walk up to the entrance. I must note though that there are still ways to get into the area. It requires Hiking, and climbing steep ridges though.