Spring, 2010 activities of the SCMTA

Sunol Regional Park— Wildflowers and great views. 10-12 miles, approx. 2500' elevation gain. Meet 8:45 A.M. at Middlefield and Rengstorff, or 9:30 at park headquarters. Moderate to strenuous. Martin Donald (650) 966-1984.

Big Basin Trail Maintenance—Meet Jeff Bleam at park headquarters at 9:00 AM for some hands-on trail work. This group meets the second Saturday of each month. Call (831) 338-0774.

Trail Maintenance - Skyline to the Sea Trail—Al Lisin, (408) 252-8106, leads a group that maintains the Skyline to the Sea Trail. This group also meets on the second Saturday of the month. The group meets at 9:00 AM. Please call Al for meeting place (which changes).

Mt Tamalpais State Park— Marin hike from Pantoll Ranger Station. Hike the Matt Davis Trail down to Stinson Beach and return on Steep Ravine Trail with our lunch at the beach-about 8 miles. Heavy rain cancels. Meet at Page Mill & 280 at 8:15 or Pantoll Ranger Station at 9:30. Mark Bowden (408) 735-8736.

Castle Rock State Park Trail Maintenance—The third Saturday of every month Martin Donald leads trail work in the Castle Rock area. Meet at Saratoga Gap parking lot at 9:00 AM. Call Martin at (650) 966-1984. Bring boots and gloves, lunch and liquid. Tools are supplied but bring your own favorites if you prefer.

Joseph D. Grant County Park— Vivian Jung (408) 238-3388 leads a moderately strenuous hike of about 10 miles. It's peak season for wildflowers so don't miss this one. Meet at the parking lot inside the park by the bathrooms at 9:30 AM or call Vivian (408) 238-3388 for car-pooling info. Heavy rain cancels.

TRAIL DAYS— Reserve this date for the annual Trail Days. Each year on the fourth Saturday in April Trail Association members give a little back by helping with trail building or trail maintenance. Please let's have a good turnout today. Meet at Saratoga Gap parking at 9 AM.

Raindate for TRAIL DAYS—An opportunity for those who could not make it to Saturday's Trail Day, or for those who like to do two day's of trail work.

Mount Tamalpais State Park— Moderate 10-mile hike. Meet at 8:00 Page Mill and 280 Park and Ride. Hike to Alpine Lake and up Cataract Trail to see the waterfalls. We will start at the Rock Springs parking area. Hike leader Toni Bassett 650-948-7344.

Mt. Diablo State Park—On the Clayton side, a 10-to 12-mile moderate to strenuous hike. We will hike the rugged back side, see lots of small waterfalls and wildflowers, and hike in and out of several canyons. Carpool from 280 & Meridian/Parkmoor by the post office at 8:15 or Rengstorff and Middlefield at 8:15. Call Ellen for details (408) 267-6456. Bring a lunch and plenty of water.

Big Basin Trail Maintenance—Join Jeff Bleam again for some more enjoyable trail maintenance at Big Basin. See January 10 entry for details.

Trail Maintenance - Skyline to the Sea Trail—Call Al Lisin at (408) 252-8106 for more information.

Rancho Cañada del Oro—A 7 to 8 mile hike into the territory of the Santa Clara Open Space Authority. This park is located south of the Almaden Valley area. Meet at Cottle/85 Park and Ride at 9:00 or at the staging area on Casa Loma Road at 9:30, or call leader, Vivian Jung at 408-238-3388 for further carpool information. Directions to park at http://www.openspaceauthority.org/trails/rancho.html. Rain cancels. After the hike we will plan next quarter's hikes, so please bring your calendar for July/August/September and your ideas for hikes you would like to lead.

Castle Rock State Park Trail Maintenance—Meet at Saratoga Gap parking lot at 9:00 AM. Call Martin Donald at (650) 966-1984. See April 17 entry.

Butano State Park— This is a moderate 9-mile loop up Jackson Flats & Canyon Trails to the BLLS. Meet at park entrance kiosk at 9:30 or Page Mill & 280 Park & Ride at 8:15. Call Mary Ellen (408) 885-0184. Don't forget that there's artichoke garlic herb bread at the Pescadero Market afterwards.

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve—Hike a 9-mile loop up Razorback Ridge and down Hamm's Gulch. Carpool from Page Mill Road & 280 at 9:15 or meet at the lower parking lot for Windy Hill on Portola Road, at 9:30. Leader: Martin Donald (650) 966-1964. Please carpool if you can, parking is always limited at Windy Hill.

Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space—We hike from Skyline to the creek, lunch in the redwoods, and return to Skyline after a 10-mile loop. Meet at 9:30 AM at park entrance 4 miles south of Hwy 92 or at Page Mill/Hwy 280 park-and-ride at 8:45. Call Janet McCarron (408) 245-1519 for more information.

Big Basin Trail Maintenance—Meet Jeff Bleam (831) 338-0774 at park headquarters at 9:00 AM. See April 10 entry.

Trail Maintenance - Skyline to the Sea Trail—Call Al Lisin (408) 252-8106 for more information.

Portola Redwoods State Park—Meet at Park Headquarters at 9:30 AM for a 13-mile hike. We'll hike to the trail camp, then take off along the Bear Creek Trail to the Peters Creek Loop. Car-pooling from Page Mill Rd. & 280 at 8:30. Mary Ellen Quin (408) 885-0184. Please note: Mary Ellen will be leading this hike for Vivian.

Castle Rock State Park Trail Maintenance—Meet at Saratoga Gap parking lot at 9:00 AM. Call Martin Donald at (650) 966-1984. See April 17 entry.

San Francisco Hills Hike—A moderately strenuous six hour stairway hike of Pacific Heights, Telegraph Hill and Russian Hill. Lots of stairways, parks, coffee shops and bathrooms along the route. Bring your own lunch for a picnic at Levi Plaza (readymade sandwiches can be had from a Safeway along the route). Meet at 9:00 at Andersen's Bakery in the Japan Peace Center (aka Japan Town) or carpool at 8:00 at the Page Mill Rd/280 Park and Ride. Directions: Take 280 to San Francisco, go north on 101, take the Fell/Octavia exit (left exit) to Octavia. Stay on Octavia, it turns left and becomes Fell St. Turn right at Webster St, cross Geary Blvd and turn right on Post St, then right on Laguna St. Park on the street on either Laguna St or Geary Blvd. Go into the middle building in the Japan center (Miyako Mall) and find Andersen's Bakery in the middle of the upper floor. Hike starts from there.*Howard and Joan 408-378-1638

SCMTA Annual Picnic—The picnic will start at 12:30 and be held at Mark Bowden's house at 376 South Fernwood Circle in Sunnyvale. Please bring a salad or desert to share, your own beverage, and $3.00. Please RSVP by email (mbowden100 AT earthlink DOT net) or phone (408) 735-8736.

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