Villages Hiking Club, San Jose, CA
Our mission is to promote an active and healthy lifestyle through hiking.
The Villages Hiking Club’s “Country Western Hoedown and Potluck” was on Thursday, September 10th at The Gazebo. County music was provided by our favorite Villages DJ, Ed Knott. Bocce courts were also available for our exclusive use. 4:00 – 5:00. There was line dancing and many other dance steps performed by our members in attendance.
Al Girolami led a hike at Alum Rock Park on Wednesday, October 14th with a focus on geocaching and exploring the historic mineral springs which is an Earthcache For “muggles” (non Geocachers).
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Debbie Siedband and Dan Kato led a hike on Saturday, October 10th in San Bruno State Park. Long hikers took the Summit Loop trail and went 7.5 miles with an elevation climb of about 800 feet. Sy Gelman led the ramblers on a 3 – 4 mile hike with about a 300 foot elevation gain. Both groups had opportunities to see glorious views of the Pacific Ocean but much of the time were in fog limiting the view this day. The long hikers came across two very interesting and personable naturalists that were gathering more information that they were going to use in a book they are writing. The day offered great weather for hiking.
Rita Cerna led a rambler hike to Starbucks on Wednesday, October 7th where all enjoyed gathering for tea or coffee and a chat. The walk up took the group up to the park near Canyon Road and on to Starbucks.
Wate and Johanna Bakker led hikes from a newly opened trail head in the western part of the Russian Ridge open space area . Johanna led the Ramblers on a partially shaded 3-4 mile hike with about 400ft elevation difference. Wate led the long hikers on a 7.8 mile hike with about a 800 ft elevation difference. It was a hot day with most of the time spent in the open space. The views were spectacular and the trails were well maintained.
Gary and Terry Holmquist led a rambler hike on Wednesday, September 16th. The group traveled the valley trail in Alum Rock Park which was mostly flat and predominantly in the shade. The trail was 4 to 5 miles long. There was an optional lunch at Lee’s sandwiches.
Saturday, September 12th, the planned hike was cancelled due to heat concerns and was rescheduled to head up our hills from Stables –> Rawhide –> Tower –> Oak –> Turkey –> Rawhide –> Stables.
Amy Meier led the ramblers on a shaded hike inside the Cribari Village of approximately two miles. It was a hot day but the trees helped make the hike enjoyable. Faye and Pam brought their dogs to make for a cute hike.
Saturday, September 5, John Trudeau led a hike in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve near Lexington Reservoir and Los Gatos. We took the Limekiln Trail from Alma Bridge Road to Priest Rock and return via the Priest Rock trail for a distance of 7.8 miles round trip and about 1100 feet elevation gain. Although the beginning of the trail was shaded, most of it was exposed. The Sierra Azul OSP has the beauty and ruggedness of an unspoiled wilderness. There are great views of serpentine grasslands, hard, rocky, and steep chaparral, dense stands of bay trees, or quiet, shaded oak woodland forests.
