2017 – Page 2 – Villages Hiking Club

Hidden Trails Hike

Laura Gelman and Katy Peretti led a group in exploring various hidden trails that meander through the villages (about 3-4 miles). The group assembled at the Vineyard center at 9.45 AM for a 10.00 AM Start Afterwards there was a pot luck luncheon at Vineyard Center.

Montgomery Hill Park Hike

Katy Peretti and Suzanne Pham led a rambler hike to Montogmery Hill. The distance was about 3 miles.

My. Umunhum Hike

Wate and Johanna Bakker led hikes on Saturday, November 18th on the newly opened trails around mount Umunhum. The long hikers hiked the 7.4 mile round trip trail to the top starting at the mount Baldy parking lot. Total elevation gain was 1150 ft. Due to the parking challenges the ramblers drove up to the top and enjoyed the views.

Coyote Creek Hike

Caryl Swinyard and Cookie Hunley led a 5-mile hike on the Coyote Creek Trail from within Hellyer County Park to the Library on Tully Road on Wednesday, November 15th. Distance was about 5 miles. The hike began at the Velodrome (bicycle racing arena) within the Park and continued north on the Coyote Creek Trail (out of the Park) to the San Jose Library on Tully Road. They then retraced their steps and returned to the starting location.

Mt. Diablo State Park Hike

Eleven long hikers, led by Dan Kato, did a 7 mile hike around the Grand Loop at Mt. Diablo State Park on Saturday, November 11th. There was a good deal of climbing up and down as well as some rock scrambling. Lunch on the peaks provided spectacular views of the bay area on this clear day. After the five hour hike, tired and a little sore, but still in good spirits, we then drank a few spirits at Pete’s Brass Rail and Car Wash in Danville.

Potluck Supper

The Club on Thursday, November 9th gathered for a potluck supper followed by a special performance by Villages residents, Anne and Kevin Worley, “celebrating our lives and passions with songs from the 50’s to the here and now. Eclectic Folk, Country and Rock & Roll.” The gathering was at Foothill Center beginning at 5:30 pm.

New Seasons Hike

Susan Brown led a 4-5 mile hike around New Seasons. They met at Cribari and drove to New Seasons. The hike started outside of New Seasons went north on Silver Creek Valley Rd to Yerba Buena Rd. Then turned right onto San Felipe and walked back to the shortcut and then through the subdivision to Silver Creek Valley Rd. and then back to New Seasons. The group then enjoyed refreshments.

Grant Ranch Hike

Nancy Rumple led a 8-9 mile hike in Grant Ranch to the overlook and beyond with perfect hiking temperatures. A little drizzle and few other hikers on the trail.

Arastradero Nature Preserve Hike

Richard Bainbridge led a hike in the Palo Alto Arastradero nature preserve on Saturday, October 28th . This time the group explored the more challenging trails higher up in the preserve, which were inaccessible last spring. The distance was about 5-7 miles with less than 700 ft elevation difference

Oakland Zoo Outing

Rich Bainbridge and Wendy Ledamun led a trip to the Oakland Zoo on Wednesday, October 15th.