Villages Hiking Club, San Jose, CA

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General Membership Meeting

Elk “Whisperer” to Speak to the Hiking Club

Have you ever seen Tule Elk in the Coyote Ridge hills while driving on Silver Creek Valley Road? The Villages Hiking Club invites members and other Villagers to join us for a Tule Elk talk on Monday, June 29th at 7 PM in the Foothill Center. During this talk, we will examine these majestic, gregarious, familial, playful, and very inquisitive animals through videos and slides. Watch elk calves play, elk bulls butt heads, and hear their bugles, which attract females and show dominance during mating season. We will also review ongoing Tule Elk research.

Our speaker, Mike Hundt, grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, which sparked his passion for the outdoors. He likes hiking and taking photos of nature, especially tule elk, bobcats, and mountain lions. Mike is a trained California Naturalist who leads walks for Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, Henry Coe State Park, and Bay Area Older Adults. He also works as a field technician, supporting the Felidae Mountain Lion Research and CDFW Tule Elk Research programs.

The program will follow a short club business meeting and a break for socializing with snacks and beverages. The meeting is free, and open to all Villagers.

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Hiking Schedule

Click on the link to get the updated hiking schedule for the next month.

Memorial Day Walk – May 25, 2026

Memorial Day’s walk around the golf course during the Golf Course Tournament. Terri Vivoli, Lead; Cheryl Allmen Sweep and Photographer

Big Sur May 19-20, 2026

The spring hiking trip to Big Sur was a great experience.

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Mt. Umunhum Hike – May 7th, 2026

12 long hikers – Amy, Duc, Deb, Joan, Hanne, Hansel, Kris, John, Mimi, Marisue, Mary, Nancy – went to Mount Umunhum for an 8-mile hike on May 7th.At the Bald Mountain Trail Head, the morning fog filled the San Jose valley like ocean. We felt like floating in clouds while walking up the hill. By the time we reached the top the sun had burned out all the fog. We rested at the historic radio tower built for the Cold War, the whole San Jose valley was under our feet, so satisfying and so peaceful. On the way back to our cars, we even spotted an old car that had landed in a ravine, hidden in the trees. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful hike. Mimi and John led the hike.

Hill Hike May 2, 2026

Henry Coe Park – April 25, 2026

The last weekend in April is a special opening of Henry Coe Backcountry. Thirteen Villagers attended and did a five-mile hike along Orestimba Creek to Kingbird Pond Loop. It was a cool cloudy day, perfect for hiking.

Kimberly Sandstrom Week took a week vacation and backpacked Henry Coe solo. She enjoyed making videos of the trip, and they are now on YouTube, and may be of interest.

2026 April Henry W Coe State Park 6 Day Exploration: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ5pcw5TGw08I65MkT1TkxLH6YR2zXs4j

Hill Hike April 25, 2026

Fifteen hikers showed up to hike the Hill this morning. Thanks to Jim Koski for taking the photo of the group including a friend in the stables.

New Benches on the Hill April 4, 2026

On Saturday’s Hill Hike Jim Ware led those hiking to the top, on a trek to find all six new benches which the Villages recently installed on our Hill. Accompanying Jim were Gigi, Joan, Lisa and Gordon.

Those benches are located as follows:
– intersection of Oak and Richter (signpost 26),
– intersection of Skyway and Upper Meadow (signpost 19),
– near the top of Meadow at signpost 45,
– at the upper intersection of Meadow and Thistle (signpost 44),
– on Meadow about halfway between signposts 42 and 44,
– at the intersection of Bay and Richter (signpost 25).

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Japanese Tea Garden April 1, 2026

On April Fools day, 13 rambler hikers, Carol, Hansel, Joel, Kathy, Judy, John, Mimi, Maria, Manona, Michele, Steve, Tim and Wendy, went to the Japanese Tea Garden for a cherry blossoms hike. The Garden is not big, but compacted with delicate, manicured flowers, bushes, tiny trees, small hills, streams and bright red pavilions of Japan style. Joel, Michele, John and Mim even climbed a steep arch bridge meant for teenagers. The cherry flowers are so-so, not even as dramatic as that in our Villages. After garden visits, we climbed up hill to hike around Blue Heron like then climbed even higher to see a waterfall but we got a bone dry one. Oh yes, we got drenched by come-and-go SFO rain shower, but that did not kill our spirits, we all had a good time. We went to Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant near by for a warm lunch. Every loved the food there! The hike was led by Mimi and John.

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Golf Course Walk March 30, 2026

Last Golf Course Walk of March 2026…happiest of Spring weather! Photographer-Cheryl Allmen

Trail Maintenance Day March 28, 2026

The Hiking Club held a very successful Trail Maintenance Day. The focus was on five areas: Eucalyptus Grove Picnic Area, Bobcat Trail, Upper Bay, Boundary up to the mailbox, and The Switchbacks down from the mailbox. The social committee had lunch and drinks for the end of the workday.

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