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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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
Rich Bainbridge and Wendy Ledamun led a trip to the Oakland Zoo on Wednesday, October 15th.
Jane Ruona again, graciously offered her Seascape condo to all short casual strollers, ramblers, and long hikers. Everyone brought a dish or appetizer to share and drinks for our fall potluck and beach walk. The hike was over flat sand along the ocean.
Nine Ramblers completed a four mile hike in Nisene Marks State Park. The very recent seasonal removal of two bridges required modification of the original hiking plan. Nonetheless, the resourceful group cobbled together a memorable hike through beautiful forest settings of lush ferns, redwoods, willows, red alders, and maples. The morning concluded with lunch at the Farm Bakery and Café in Aptos.
