2014 – Villages Hiking Club

Hiking Club Work Party

A small Hiking Club work party, Jim Beyer, Susan Brown, Quincy Chang, Dan Kato, Amy Meier, Debbie Siedband and John Walker repaired the switchback trail from the mail box down to Rawhide to correct the damage the wild pigs made in preparation for the Annual New Year’s Day celebration at the top of the hill. Carrie Woods from the Riding Club generously donated her time and drove her ATV with the Hiking Club tools to and from the work area so that the work party would not have to carry the tools up and down the hill.

Villages Hidden Trails Hike

Laura and Sy Gelman led a group that explored various hidden trails that meander through the villages (about 3-4 miles). Afterwards there was a pot luck luncheon at Vineyard Center.

Los Alamitos Creek Trail Hike

Nancy Rumple led the Long hikers on the paved Los Alamitos Creek Trail from Lake Almaden south to Mc Keen Rd. and back for about eight miles. Gary and Terry Holmquist led the ramblers on a separate hike in the same area. It turned out to be a comfortable easy day with no elevation gain.

Holiday Party- 2014

The holiday party on December 11 at the Foothill Center was well attended with over eighty guests and members. The chicken casserole as the main dish was a big hit and was enhanced by many delicious side dishes consisting of vegetables, salads, potatoes, and rolls. Entertainment was provided by the Villages Ukulele group under the direction of Jim Nielsen. Fun and fellowship enhanced the event with many lively conversations.

Montgomery Hill Hike

Brad Hinckley led a rambler hike to and up Montgomery Hill behind Evergreen Community College. We then went to Starbucks for coffee before returning home. It was a 3-mile round trip hike.

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Hike

Barbara Knight led the ramblers to the new Bair Island pedestrian bridge into the almost completed 3,000-acre wetland site. The renovation began in 2007 and now is a part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Red Wood City. There was a 2-mile trail around the southern inner island. The sun came out when we found a bench at Pete’s Harbor for lunch. We had a great time playing with the little wooden boat we found at the play ground.

Golden Gate heights and Grand View parks Hike

Saturday, November 15: Wate and Johanna Bakker led a combined rambler/long hike through the Golden Gate heights and Grand View parks and surrounding areas in the sunset district of San Francisco. The hikes were relatively short, about three miles and contained numerous stairs, some of them quite long, although the total altitude differences were less than a few hundred feet. We walked on staircases decorated with more than 75,000 tiles that resembled a waterfall of crayon colors. There were many interesting patterns that created stunning views They were modeled after the colorful Escalaria Selaron stairs in Rio de Janeiro. There were also beautiful views of the ocean, Golden Gate park and bridge. Afterward we had lunch in the nearby Park Chalet.

Rest Stop

Local Work Day

Silver Creek Hike

Gary and Terry Holmquist led a rambler Hike to Silver Creek Country Club for lunch. The hike was roughly 3 miles one-way. The overcast sky provided a cool hiking experience.

Saratoga Gap Hike

Amy Meier,Sandra Walker,John Walker,
Debbie Siedband,Peter Nicholls,Dan Kato,
Frances Wilson,Wate Bakker,Faye
Swanson,Gigi Clarke,Jackie Jones
Photographer:Jim Beyer

Wate Bakker led the long hikers and Johanna Bakker led the ramblers hike to the Saratoga Gap and into Long Ridge Open Space on Saturday, November 8th. The long hikers traveled approximately 9 miles with some going a couple miles longer. There was moderate elevation gains. Ramblers started at a different location. We saw views of the coastal range and Pacific ocean as it was another beautiful day on the trails.

Half Moon Bay Hike

Trish Smith led a rambler hike on Wednesday, November 5th of three to four miles that went along the bluffs of Half Moon Bay above the beach coast. It was a warm pleasant day.