Author: Jim Beyer

Nancy Rumple led a 7-8 mile hike on the moderately hilly, mostly shady trails from the Mendoza Ranch entrance off Roop Rd. They hiked on the Coyote Ridge, Gaviota, Blue Oak, and Valley Oak Trails before doing a 1000ft. climb over Mummy Mountain.

Bonnie Preston and Johanna Bakker led a tour of the San Jose Museum which focused on an Interesting exhibit of art using digital technologies: computer electronics, robotics and virtual reality which is used in art. The large work of 2 international women plus that from the permanent collection fill the entire museum. A major piece is a 127-foot-long tapestry from Belgium.

 

Gary Lohr and Katy Peretti led a walking outing on the golf course Monday, September 30. They met outside the Clubhouse and completed a three mile walk.

 

Kimberly Sandstrom led a hike to Waterman Gap Loop (2B), which was 9.3 mi and a 1460 ft elevation gain. The hike started out traveling south on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail from Waterman Gap, then turned east on Toll Road-Interconnector a trail which soon looped north and then northeast. They crossed CA-9, and soon encounter the junction with Saratoga Toll Road Trail, which took them far in an overall northerly direction. The Toll Road was a stage coach road from 1871 that is broad, well graded and shaded. They turned sharply south on Beekhuis Road and then traveled west to rejoin the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail which took them south again to close the loop. The trail was mostly shaded with very little sun exposure. While only two members were able to come, it was a lovely hike on our first Saturday of autumn.

 

Ramon and Marianna Reza led a hike on the Belgatos Park Trail in Los Gatos. The hiking path initially took them through the park and to and through an area of large estate homes, both areas provided expansive views of the Santa Clara Valley. There was one challenging short section of the trail at the beginning, followed by a series of rolling, moderate ascents through estate homes. Total elevation gain gradually peaks at about 750 ft. The hike length was approximately 3.5 miles.

 

Rich Bainbridge led a hike up our hill on Saturday, September 21st, starting at Foothill Center.

Johanna Bakker led a hike in the lower hills. They hiked up Sky to Cougar, to Richter, to Oak, up Oak to Buffalo, then Buffalo to Thistle, Meadow to Farm and then Richter and Cougar back to the parking lot. Hiking distance was about three miles.

Johanna and Wate Bakker led 3-4 and 6-7 mile hikes respectively along the beautiful shoreline of Pacifica from Linda Mar beach to Mori Point and Sharp Park beach respectively, with beautiful ocean views from Mori point and the beaches on Saturday, September 14th. Some of the trails on Mori point were rather rugged to provide a challenge for the long hikers.Parts of the trail were paved.

 

 

The Hiking Club Social committee served up a “real smoked bbq” from Aptos Street BBQ. Members and guests feasted on shredded smoked chicken in bbq sauce and pulled pork with “hogwash sauce” sliders on Thursday, September 12th. An array of side dishes including baked beans and slaw accompanied the meal. There was an appetizer and dessert, too!

 

Sy Gelman led a rambler hike along Los Alamitos Creek Trail. Starting from Almaden Lake the trail follows Los Alamitos Creek on mostly level ground. Hike mileage is 3-4 miles.