Deb Siedband & Susan Brown led long hikers on Saturday, February 6th on a 7.2 mile moderately hilly route in Harvey Bear Ranch Park, Gilroy. The hike started from the Mendoza Ranch parking lot, off Roop Road, and offered some spectacular views of south Santa Clara Valley and Coyote Lake. The trail was a series of loops and the ramblers hikers did portions of it.
John Trudeau led a hike in Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve on Saturday, January 30th. The trail head start was from the parking lot on Casa Loma Road to the Longwall Canyon Trail to a loop formed by the Catamount Trail and Bald Peaks Trail. Total hiking distance was about 6.7 miles with an elevation gain of about 1400ft.
Wate and Johanna Bakker led rambler hikes in the Shoreline Park of Mountain View. We saw many migratory and other shoreline birds. Some brought binoculars and cameras. Johanna led a 2-3 mile hike emphasizing bird watching while Wate led a five mile hike along the levies toward Palo Alto. Afterwards we had lunch in the Shoreline cafe.
Nancy Rumple led a hike to St Joseph’s Hill. Only a few hardy members participated and had a good time.
Twenty people hiked on Wednesday, January 19th to Walmart and back. There was a change in the hike route to stay out of the mud. The day was pleasant and sunny.
Wate Bakker led long hikers on the arrowhead full loop trail for four miles in Coyote Valley Open Space Reserve. The ramblers were led by Johanna Bakker in the same area.
The Hiking Club held its annual white elephant gift exchange and soup supper fun event on Thursday, January 14 starting at 5:30 pm at Foothill Center. Guests were asked to bring a soup, an appetizer, salad or dessert. Cider and coffee were provided. The White Elephant gift exchange took place after supper and produced many interesting gifts and treasures.
The hiking club once again celebrated New Year’s Day at the top of our tallest hill, at 2,300 ft elevation. Dan Kato led thirty-eight long hikers to the top, starting from Foothill Center, leaving at 10:00 AM. and the celebration officially started at 11:30 AM. at the top of the hill. Everyone brought snacks to share with friends and fellow hikers. Wendy Ledamun led the Ramblers on the lower hill trails, covering some of the new trails put in place this year. They finished at the picnic area at Indian and Skyway.
