Category: News

The Goat Hill Girls brought their unique bluegrass sound to The Hiking Club’s Summer BBQ on Thursday, July 20th at the Gazebo. Bluegrass has new grass, traditional grass, psycho grass, gospel grass and even gangsta grass as sub genres of this uniquely American music. Most bluegrass songs are about the mountain areas of the East Coast, so The Goat Hill Girls are doing their part by representing California in the Bluegrass song world.  The Goat Hill Girls featured plenty of traditional bluegrass, vintage country, old timely, Irish and some fun novelty tunes.

Gary and Terry Holmquist led a hike along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz on Wednesday, July 19th . The hike started at the Wharf and proceed approximately two miles past the light house before retracing their steps.

 

Gisela Pearson led a determined group on Saturday, July 15th in blazing heat as advertised on a  hike in Sunol Regional Park of about 6  miles .The hike was from the headquarters to the top of Flag Hill.  A fun day topped off by a stop for ice cream.

Brad Hinckley lead a 4.5 mile hike along Thompson Creek Trail that is maintained by the Santa Clara Water District.

Wate and Johanna Bakker led a Coastal hike from Gazos Creek to  the Ano Nuevo SP., along HW 1. The hike was along beach,dunes, a rocky coastline and a coastal plain. Wate  led a long hike of about 7 miles. Johanna  led a shorter hike  of 4-5 miles.Elevation differences less than 200.There were a few remaining flowers.

Katy Peretti and Suzanne Pham led a hike through the water ways of del Lago, Montgomery, and Hermosa Villages followed by a stop at the bistro.

Richard Bainbridge led a hill hike, starting from the parking lot of the upper garden. The hike was along the Cougar , Richter,Oak and Buffalo trails to the Bay and Meadow trails.  A renovation and partial rerouting of the upper Bay trail and Meadow trails has recently been approved by the VG&CC board and is expected to take place in October or November after the first winter rains. Since the upper trails are presently in poor shape some scrambling was anticipated there. Rich pointed out how and where the trails would be rerouted and widened to county park standards. Finally the hike led to the picnic area at the highest point of our hill lands.

  

Johanna Bakker led a hike to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve on Wednesday,June 28th, one of the most beautiful hikes by the ocean. It was located just south of Carmel.

Dan Kato led ten hikers on a visit to Sanborn County Park on 6/24/17.  All started on the Sanborn trail together for about a mile.  After that the ramblers took the Peterson trail back to the trail head and the long hikers continued on a long climb up the San Andreas trail.  At one point we crawled under and through the brush from downed trees blocking the trail.  Quite an adventure.  Lunch was eaten in a wooded glen sitting on logs.

Kathy Tanaka led a tour of the Senior Safari at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose on Thursday, June 22nd.  Senior Safari is a day when seniors get free admission and parking at the zoo.  The zoo is open only to seniors between 9 and 10 am, but you can stay as long as you like.  You can see the animals, get your steps in and even ride some of the kids rides!