Author: Jim Beyer

Dan Kato and Faye Swanson led a hike along the Long Ridge trail near the Skyline blvd.(rt. 35) on Saturday , December 14th. The hike started at the Grizzly Flat parking lot on rt. 35 about 5-7 miles north of the hw 9/35 intersection. The Long hikers hiked a 7.5 mile hike along the Peters creek trail, Long ridge trail, Wards road and Hickory oaks trails, with lunch at a bench overlooking the Big Basin Redwoods. The trails undulated, but total elevation gains are moderate (500-700 ft).

Last Wednesday’s hike on 12/11 was changed to a trek to Evergreen Square. Pam Thompson found a leaf that was almost as large as her.

Rich Bainbridge led a hike in  Vargas Plateau Regional Park in the east bay on Saturday, November 23rd. They went about 5 miles with very little cover and mostly in the open.

Gary Holmquist led a hike in Alum Rock Park. They started at the Eagle Rest Picnic area and proceed up the Valley trail. They returned on the South Rim Trail with a elevation gain of 800 feet and 5 miles.

Sy and Laura Gelman led the ramblers on a 4 mile hike in the eastern part of San Francisco Golden Gate Park that most tourists miss on Wednesday, November 13th. They visited the Arboretum, a working carousel, walked around Stowe Lake and passed by several museums.

Johanna and Wate Bakker led a rambler and a long hike In Grant County park. Johanna led a 3.5 -4 mile hike, including parts of the Snell, lower San Felipe, Corral and Hotel trails with an elevation gain of about 500 ft. The route provided beautiful views of Mount Hamilton and the San Felipe Creek valley. Wate led a long hike along the Dutch flat trail, which provided views of Mount Hamilton as well as the Villages and the Santa Clara Valley. . Return was on the Brush and Snell trails.. The hike was about 7 miles with an elevation gain of about 800 ft.

Al Girolami led a short hike and historical learning experience at Chitactac Adams County Park. This small County Park along Uvas Creek, is located just northwest of Gilroy and features Native American history along with the 1850’s site of the Adams schoolhouse.There were some stairs but the walking was easy on the approximately quarter mile trail with interpretative signs which covered village life and structures, petroglyphs, and bedrock mortars.

Nancy Rumple led the long hikers on a 71/2 -8 mile hike to the summit of Mount Umunhum. They followed the mostly tree covered, well groomed trail 3.7miles up with a 1,150ft. elevation gain. After lunch, they continued up to the summit while enjoying the views.