Category: News

Rich Bainbridge and Wendy Ledamun led a hike at the Picchetti Ranch Preserve in Cupertino.  The Preserve featured 3.7 miles of trail, the historic Picchetti Winery, and the surrounding homestead.  They hiked along the Zinfandel Trail.  The out and back hike was approximately 4-miles long through forested canyons of madrone, coast live oak and California bay. The Sierra Azul range, crowned by Mount Umunhum, was visible to the south through a break in the trees.

 

The hikers passed through untouched areas as well as partially burned areas and witnessed their renewal. They started/ended at the picnic/parking, The route included the Six Bridges Trail, Olmo Fire Road, Goat Hill Trail, Mill Ox Trail and Jackson Flats Trail. Parts of the trail were exposed but most were under canopy.

 

 

 

 

 

Wate Bakker led a hike along a part of the Crystal Springs Lake, in the Sawyer section on Wednesday, September 15th . They did about 4- 5-miles. The trail was paved and mostly flat.

 

On Saturday, September 11th the group had a nice hike at Fremont Peak and had a late lunch at a Mexican restaurant in San Juan Bautista. There were 9 hikers. 

 

 

 

 

 

Al Girolami led a hike on our own Hill Lands. They walked 6 miles with a 1,300 elevation gain. The entire perimeter of our 550 acres was covered. They started at the cul de sac at the end of Village View Drive and proceeded to the Joe Marsh Trailhead. They headed up Meadow and did a loop returning on Rawhide. They were able to see where the recently VGCC approved rerouting of Upper Meadow and Garden Steps Trails will take place in the spring. They reached three of our high elevation viewpoints: NE corner at 2,250,Sentinel Oak at 2,330, and Hawk at 1,930. 

 

 

Wate and Johanna Bakker led cool hikes from Lands End in West San Francisco to Muir beach and the Golden Gate Bridge on Saturday, August 14th. The rambler hike was 3-5 miles to Muir Beach. The 7-8 mile long hike continued on. Both hikes were along the coast and were mostly flat with some hills and staircases. A small part of the hike was through the upscale neighborhood of Seacliff.  Afterwards they ate a late lunch in the Golden Gate Park Chalet. 

 

Rich Bainbridge  and Wendy Ledamun led a rambler hike to Alum Rock Park along the valley trail which was about five miles round trip on Wednesday, August 11th . There was a lunch stop at Lee’s Sandwich shop on Berryessa. 

Al Girolami led a rambler hike on our own Hill Lands. They experienced our wonderful Villages asset, at their own pace, to see what is available in our own backyard. They met at the cul de sac at the end of Village View Drive and proceeded to the Joe Marsh Trailhead. The hike was less than a 3 mi. loop with less than 500 ft. of gradual elevation gain.

 

 

 

 

 

Sandy & John Petrin led a hike from Oak Meadow Park, 233 Blossom Hill Rd along Los Gatos Creek to downtown Los Gatos. They walked around downtown then headed back to Oak Meadows Park. The round trip was about 4 miles and mostly shaded along the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five hikers on Saturday, July 24th enjoyed the hike up to the highest point, where they had lunch. After lunch, they headed down to the crude oil seep at Tarwater Creek, which was amazing. From that point, Faye, Dan and Kimberly completed the 10 mile hike, while Mary and Deb opted for an alternative return, covering about 8 miles. After the hike, five hikers enjoyed refreshments at the lovely, peaceful picnic area. Ice cream was procured at the visitor center, and we enjoyed looking at the exhibits and gift shop there too.