Frog Lake Trail Hike

Sy Gelman led a hike to beautiful Frog Lake in Henry Coe State Park on Wednesday, May 24th.  The distance was 4.5 miles with a 640 foot climb on the way in, but absolutely flat on the way out.  There were wild flowers in bloom as an added attraction.

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Harvey Bear Trail Hike

On May 20th. Faye Swanson and Susan Brown co-led a wonderful hike to Harvey Bear Ranch County Park. There were 8 long hikers and 5 ramblers. The long hikers did 8 miles and the ramblers did about 4.5 miles from the Mendoza entrance. Most of the wild flowers were gone but we found beautiful white and yellow Mariposa Tulips throughout the park.  We stopped often to hydrate in the shade just like the herd of cows. Did someone say it was too hot to hike today??



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2nd Annual Variety Show and Potluck

On Thursday, May 11th the hiking Club held its Second Annual Variety Show and Potluck at the Foothill Center A number of talented Villagers entertained us for the evening.  Wendy Ledamun planned and created a fun evening with her helpers. The play bill below shows all the talent that performed.

The Villages Hiking Club presents……..

Master of Ceremonies:    Wendy Ledamun

Tonight’s Program

“A Selection of Popular Ukulele Songs “The Villages Ukulele Club

“Spanish Friendship Poems”
Sally Otton

“Jazz Saxophone Solo”Bill Oppenheimer

“Folky/bluegrass” Solo and Duets
Dan Kato, Bev Clifford

“The Raven”Reading by Richard Holmboe

“Country-influenced Songs of the ’60’s”Anne and Kevin Worley

“The Folksters”Dennis Cullen, George Dobbs , Frank Garcia, Gene Yamada

“Our Mother Singing, Pumped”
Jeanne Watson, original poetry reading

“Do you believe in magic”Sy Gelman, Magician

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The Angel on Yerba Buena Hike




Wendy Ledamun and Rich Bainbridge led a rambler hike to view the “The Angel on Yerba Buena” on Wednesday, May 10th.  The group walked through the Estates to Yerba Buena, then headed up and over the hill to the Silver Creak Linear Park – Picnic Meadow.  There was the “Angel”

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Sierra Vista Trail Hike

On Saturday, May 6th Nancy Rumple led a 10 mile hike along the Sierra Vista Trail and on the Lower Calaveras Fault Trail. The hike took them past the Historic Ranch House and continued on up with a 1400 ft. elevation gain to the overlook and picnic area where the group stopped to eat lunch. Along the way a variety of wild flowers were present.



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Santa Teresa Hike

On Wednesday,May 3rd Terry and Gary Holmquist led a hike in the northern part of Santa Teresa County Park.  There was wildflowers but the season is winding down.

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San Bruno Mountain Hike


On Saturday, April 29th the club went on a nature hike on San Bruno Mountain, organized by Dan Kato and led by members of the native plant society. Our hike was fantastic with sunny skies, not a cloud in the sky and lots of wild flowers! The view of the city was gorgeous and It was an easy walk around the saddle and bog. About a 2.6 mile sojourn with Bay,Ocean and San Francisco views. 





Rancho Canada and Calero Parks Hike

On Saturday, April 22nd Amy Meier led a 9 mile, 1300 ft elevation gain hike in the combined Rancho Canada and Calero parks.There were views of Almaden valley and the Diablo range. We had a great hike at Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve today. It was warm but not too hot. The wild flowers did not disappoint



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Los Gatos Historical Hike

Cookie Hunley and Johanna Bakker led a historical hike in downtown Los Gatos.  There were several stops along the way explaining the history of the Almond Grove section of the town and the naming of some of the streets. The  many historical homes as we walked through in that district were built in the late 1800s and where many influential citizens of the day resided. We walked up a foot path used by locals to the Fairview Plaza district and on to the area above the town where the early residents built their homes.  The walk was approximately  3 miles.

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