Author: Jim Beyer

On Wednesday, February 25th Katy Peretti and Bonnie Preston led a group of ramblers on a hike to the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve just above the Alum Park.

Nine hikers came on the Coyote Hills Regional Park hike led by geologist Warren Nokleberg. We enjoyed perfect weather and the informative talk provided by Warren, a retired professor and field geologist. We now know why there are hills in a park next to San Francisco Bay, and which parts of Fremont may liquefy when the next big earthquake hits. Unfortunately, Warren declined to predict when that will be. After the hike over rolling hills, the Ramblers toured the visitor’s center which has exhibits about the approximately 13000 year history and culture of the Native American Ohlone people and the wildlife of the area. The long hikers circled the marshland inhabited by multiple bird species and visited the butterfly garden.

Johanna Bakker  led a hike to Calero County Park. The trail was about 3 miles long and is one of the Healthy trail hikes which is the Los Cerritos loop which is the part close to the reservoir.

With the hope of spotting some California Condors close up, John Trudeau  led a hike to the High Peaks on Saturday, February 14th – Condor Gulch Loop in Pinnacles National Park. It was a spectacular 6-mile loop with an elevation gain of 1350ft. The trail started at the Bear Gulch area and went  through or around some interesting caves to the small reservoir. Some hikers continued up to the High Peaks area covered in rock spires and equally impressive boulder-filled gorges and then closed the loop by coming back down to the Bear Gulch area.

On Wednesday, January 28th Gary and Terry Holmquest led a rambler hike on the Los Gatos Creek trail from Lake Vasona to Los Gatos and back.

Wate and Johanna Bakker led long and rambler hikes in the east bay Pleasanton Ridge park near Sunol. The hikes were mainly along the ridge line with beautiful views of the east bay hills. Elevation differences mainly to climb up to the ridge, were 600-1200 ft. The trails are mainly old farm roads with some well groomed connector trails. Ramblers did 3-5 miles and the  long hikers did  6 miles. The day was very pleasant and there was a record 25 hikers in the two groups. One of the largest turnouts in recent memory.

On Wednesday, January 21st. Bonnie Preston led the Ramblers to the new Martial Cottle Park on Snell which just opened. It is named for the 19th century farmer whose family donated the 287 acre farm to Santa Clara County with the intent of preserving the agricultural heritage of “The Valley of Heart’s Delight” which will maintain a working farm. The park remains a work in progress where Master Gardeners will have gardens and orchards, and a 7 acre 4-H area including running livestock such as sheep.

Gary and Terry Holmquist led a hike at Shoreline Park in Mountain View. It was a good time to see migratory waterfowls and the Black-necked Stilt and the Northern Shoveler Duck.We also saw two red tailed hawks. There were many more species making for a great birder event. Afterwards we stopped at the Shoreline Cafe for lunch. The day turned out to be pleasant for walking as we were in the open space and the sun was under the clouds.