On May 20th. Faye Swanson and Susan Brown co-led a wonderful hike to Harvey Bear Ranch County Park. There were 8 long hikers and 5 ramblers. The long hikers did 8 miles and the ramblers did about 4.5 miles from the Mendoza entrance. Most of the wild flowers were gone but we found beautiful white and yellow Mariposa Tulips throughout the park. We stopped often to hydrate in the shade just like the herd of cows. Did someone say it was too hot to hike today??
Gisela Pearson led a 6-6 1/2 mile hike from the Visitor Center to Canyon View trail and up to Cerro Este Overlook (720 ft. elevation), High Valley Barn and returned back on the Hayfield Rd. trail. Wild flowers were abundant. There is a link below that will help you identify flowers.
On Thursday, May 11th the hiking Club held its Second Annual Variety Show and Potluck at the Foothill Center A number of talented Villagers entertained us for the evening. Wendy Ledamun planned and created a fun evening with her helpers. The play bill below shows all the talent that performed.
On Saturday, May 6th Nancy Rumple led a 10 mile hike along the Sierra Vista Trail and on the Lower Calaveras Fault Trail. The hike took them past the Historic Ranch House and continued on up with a 1400 ft. elevation gain to the overlook and picnic area where the group stopped to eat lunch. Along the way a variety of wild flowers were present.
On Wednesday,May 3rd Terry and Gary Holmquist led a hike in the northern part of Santa Teresa County Park. There was wildflowers but the season is winding down.
On Saturday, April 29th the club went on a nature hike on San Bruno Mountain, organized by Dan Kato and led by members of the native plant society. Our hike was fantastic with sunny skies, not a cloud in the sky and lots of wild flowers! The view of the city was gorgeous and It was an easy walk around the saddle and bog. About a 2.6 mile sojourn with Bay,Ocean and San Francisco views.
Cookie Hunley and Johanna Bakker led a historical hike in downtown Los Gatos. There were several stops along the way explaining the history of the Almond Grove section of the town and the naming of some of the streets. The many historical homes as we walked through in that district were built in the late 1800s and where many influential citizens of the day resided. We walked up a foot path used by locals to the Fairview Plaza district and on to the area above the town where the early residents built their homes. The walk was approximately 3 miles.
Wate Bakker led long and rambler hikers in the Russian Ridge open space along Skyline Blvd. The area is known for beautiful flower displays. Johanna led a 4-5 mile walk for the ramblers through an area with many flowers while Wate led a 6-8 mile hike with beautiful views in addition to flowers for the long hikers.
