News – Page 30 – Villages Hiking Club

Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve Hike

On Sat, December 21, 2019, Kimberly Sandstrom led a hike in Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve. They did a 9 to 10 mile hike with 1000 to 1500 ft elevation gain on the Mayfair Ranch, Longwall Canyon, Bald Peaks and Catamount Trails to complete a loop. It was breezy and chilly along the Bald Peaks Trail and warmer along the more sheltered trails. They saw several deer and lovely fall and winter colors on their winter solstice hike.  
 

Holiday Lights Walk

The annual Holiday Lights Walk and Social to view and enjoy the holiday decorations throughout the Villages began and ended at the Vineyard Center on Thursday, December 19th where hikers enjoyed coffee, tea, hot chocolate and spiced mulled wine at the end of the hike. Participants also brought cookies and appetizers to share.

Long Ridge Trail Hike

Dan Kato and Faye Swanson led a hike along the Long Ridge trail near the Skyline blvd.(rt. 35) on Saturday , December 14th. The hike started at the Grizzly Flat parking lot on rt. 35 about 5-7 miles north of the hw 9/35 intersection. The Long hikers hiked a 7.5 mile hike along the Peters creek trail, Long ridge trail, Wards road and Hickory oaks trails, with lunch at a bench overlooking the Big Basin Redwoods. The trails undulated, but total elevation gains are moderate (500-700 ft).

Annual Holiday Party 2019

The Hiking Club held their annual holiday party Friday, December 13th at Foothill Center.

The event begin at 5:30 pm with appetizers and socializing. The buffet dinner began at 6:00 pm and featured tossed green salad, herbed salmon, sliced beef tenderloin, green beans almondine, scalloped potatoes, assorted breads, dessert, and coffee.  After dinner, there was a short entertainment program by “Trillium” – a musical group featuring Dan Kato, Kellen Perry, and Connie Hendrickson.

Evergreen Square Hike

Last Wednesday’s hike on 12/11 was changed to a trek to Evergreen Square. Pam Thompson found a leaf that was almost as large as her.

Vargas Plateau Regional Park Hike

Rich Bainbridge led a hike in Vargas Plateau Regional Park in the east bay on Saturday, November 23rd. They went about 5 miles with very little cover and mostly in the open.

Alum Rock Park Hike

Gary Holmquist led a hike in Alum Rock Park. They started at the Eagle Rest Picnic area and proceed up the Valley trail. They returned on the South Rim Trail with a elevation gain of 800 feet and 5 miles.

Hill Hike

Rich Bainbridge led a hike up our hill on Saturday,November 16th starting at the upper gardens.

Golden Gate Park Hike

Sy and Laura Gelman led the ramblers on a 4 mile hike in the eastern part of San Francisco Golden Gate Park that most tourists miss on Wednesday, November 13th. They visited the Arboretum, a working carousel, walked around Stowe Lake and passed by several museums.

Grant County Park Hike

Johanna and Wate Bakker led a rambler and a long hike In Grant County park. Johanna led a 3.5 -4 mile hike, including parts of the Snell, lower San Felipe, Corral and Hotel trails with an elevation gain of about 500 ft. The route provided beautiful views of Mount Hamilton and the San Felipe Creek valley. Wate led a long hike along the Dutch flat trail, which provided views of Mount Hamilton as well as the Villages and the Santa Clara Valley. . Return was on the Brush and Snell trails.. The hike was about 7 miles with an elevation gain of about 800 ft.