2026 – Villages Hiking Club, San Jose, CA

Mt. Umunhum Hike – May 7th, 2026

12 long hikers – Amy, Duc, Deb, Joan, Hanne, Hansel, Kris, John, Mimi, Marisue, Mary, Nancy – went to Mount Umunhum for an 8-mile hike on May 7th.At the Bald Mountain Trail Head, the morning fog filled the San Jose valley like ocean. We felt like floating in clouds while walking up the hill. By the time we reached the top the sun had burned out all the fog. We rested at the historic radio tower built for the Cold War, the whole San Jose valley was under our feet, so satisfying and so peaceful. On the way back to our cars, we even spotted an old car that had landed in a ravine, hidden in the trees. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful hike. Mimi and John led the hike.

Hill Hike May 2, 2026

Henry Coe Park – April 25, 2026

The last weekend in April is a special opening of Henry Coe Backcountry. Thirteen Villagers attended and did a five-mile hike along Orestimba Creek to Kingbird Pond Loop. It was a cool cloudy day, perfect for hiking.

Kimberly Sandstrom Week took a week vacation and backpacked Henry Coe solo. She enjoyed making videos of the trip, and they are now on YouTube, and may be of interest.

2026 April Henry W Coe State Park 6 Day Exploration: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ5pcw5TGw08I65MkT1TkxLH6YR2zXs4j

Hill Hike April 25, 2026

Fifteen hikers showed up to hike the Hill this morning. Thanks to Jim Koski for taking the photo of the group including a friend in the stables.

Japanese Tea Garden April 1, 2026

On April Fools day, 13 rambler hikers, Carol, Hansel, Joel, Kathy, Judy, John, Mimi, Maria, Manona, Michele, Steve, Tim and Wendy, went to the Japanese Tea Garden for a cherry blossoms hike. The Garden is not big, but compacted with delicate, manicured flowers, bushes, tiny trees, small hills, streams and bright red pavilions of Japan style. Joel, Michele, John and Mim even climbed a steep arch bridge meant for teenagers. The cherry flowers are so-so, not even as dramatic as that in our Villages. After garden visits, we climbed up hill to hike around Blue Heron like then climbed even higher to see a waterfall but we got a bone dry one. Oh yes, we got drenched by come-and-go SFO rain shower, but that did not kill our spirits, we all had a good time. We went to Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant near by for a warm lunch. Every loved the food there! The hike was led by Mimi and John.

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Golf Course Walk March 30, 2026

Last Golf Course Walk of March 2026…happiest of Spring weather! Photographer-Cheryl Allmen

Martial Cottle Park March 18, 2026

Eight Villagers set out this morning for a 3.5 mile (+/-) hike around a warm Martial Cottle Park. There was no cloud cover on such a warm mid-March day but we did it fairly early and all survived. Although the Visitor Center is normally closed on Wednesdays, a kind person who works there as a volunteer allowed all of us in to look around at the exhibits. This hike not recommended during the typical hot summer months!!! For more information on the park, click on the link below.

https://parks.santaclaracounty.gov/locations/martial-cottle-park

Golf Course Walk March 16, 2026

19 Villagers walked the LAST 2026 Winter Season hike around the beautiful golf course. Saw several coyote animal statues warning us to be alert to those alive awaiting “harm’s way”! Cheryl Allen, photographer.

Hill Hike March 14, 2026

On a cool clear morning, 27 people started out on the hill hike, and 11 made it to the top.

Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, March 11, 2026

Hiking club members joined Jim Koski’s four mile March 11 hike at the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos. We hiked on the Loma Prieta Grade Trail and the Aptos Creek fire road, a fairly level narrow-guage railroad grade used in the late 1800s to haul redwood logs and cut lumber 7 miles to the Southern Pacific track in Aptos. We saw some of the old railroad ties and obvious cuts through hillsides. Afterwards we enjoyed lunch at Carpo’s Restaurant in Soquel.