Winter, 2008 activities of the SCMTA

San Francisco Mission District— SF walk through the Mission and Dolores Heights, even Noe Valley to add some miles (maybe 5-6 total). If it rains, we'll have lunch at a taqueria. Carpool from Page Mill & 280 Park & Drive at 8:30. We'll drive to the BART station at Daly City, exiting at 16th Street. Call Toni Bassett for questions (650) 948-7344.

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. Meet at Saratoga Gap at 9:00 AM.

Sam McDonald and Pescadero Creek County Parks— A moderate 10-mile hike in Sam McDonald and Pescadero Creek County Parks. Meet at the Ranger Station in Sam McDonald Park at 9:30 AM or join us for an overnight at the Hikers Hut in Sam McDonald on January 12. Sleeping bags required.We will share a potluck dinner and breakfast. Cost is $20 for Sierra Club members, $25 for non-members. First 12 to sign up and pay are guaranteed a spot in the Hut. For details call Janet McCarron at (408) 245-1519.

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.

Phleger Estate and Huddart Park — 10-11 Miles. Carpool at 9:00 AM at Page Mill/280 or meet at Huddart Headquarters at 9:30. (There is a $5.00 charge for parking at Huddart Park). We'll trek through Phleger first via Miramontes Trail connecting with Raymundo & Lonely trails then down into Huddart Park via Crystal or Chinquapin Trails (leaders choice) ending on Dean Trail back to the Headquarters. Call Ellen for questions (408) 267-6456.

San Francisco — Ten-mile out-and-back hike from Sutro Baths to Chrissy Field along Coastal Trail. Spectacular views. Meet at Sutro Baths parking lot at 9:30 or carpool from Page Mill & 280 at 8:30. Contact Mark Bowden (408) 735-8736.

Harvey Bear County Park — 8 mile hike at Harvey Bear Ranch at Coyote Lake in the south Santa Clara county region. Up and down about 800' elevation in the green foothills west of Coyote Lake. Meet to carpool at 9 AM at Cottle Rd. P & R at Hy 85 or meet at 9:30 at park. Directions: South on Hy 101 to the San Martin Ave. exit. Travel east 2 miles to the park on the left, 1/4 mile past Foothill Ave. Rain cancels. Questions, call Cathy Howard at (650) 966-1850.

After the hike we will plan next quarter's hikes at El Toro Brew pub, so please bring your calendar for April/May/June and your ideas for hikes you would like to lead.

Big Basin Trail Maintenance— Join Jeff Bleam again for some more enjoyable trail maintenance at Big Basin. See January 12 entry for details.

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

Big Sur— Moderate to Strenuous Loop of approx. 13 miles. We will start at The Big Sur Station and finish at Ventana Inn. For those that would like I will reserve campsites for you.I need to know ASAP if you would like to camp. Let me know if you will camp Friday or just Saturday. There is also the Lodge at the park. You will have to make your own arrangements for this. Carpool on day of hike @ Meridian. Camping carpools we will arrange in advance. Todd (831) 239-6618

Castle Rock State Park Trail Maintenance— Meet at Saratoga Gap parking lot at 9:00 AM. Call Martin Donald at (650) 966-1984. See Jan. 19 entry.

Baylands Hike— This will be a true flatlander's hike, the highest elevation being the pedestrian bridge over Central Expressway and the Caltrain tracks. Meet behind the Tied House pub in Mountain View for a car shuttle to Byxbee Park by the old Palo Alto dump. We will hike Palo Alto Baylands, Mountain View Shoreline Park and the Stevens Creek Trail. The distance is about 10 miles and the leader is Martin Donald (650) 966-1984. Rain will cancel.

Uvas Canyon County Park— A 6-mile hike including a 1-mile leisurely paced loop for photograhing some beautiful waterfalls. We will skip Knibb's Knob and stop at El Toro on the way back. Meet at the Park and Ride at 85 and Cottle at 8:50 or at the park entrance at 9:30. Mark Bowden (408) 735-8736

Henry Cowell State Park — Fall Creek— A 10-mile hike at Fall Creek unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Felton. Meet in the Fall Creek parking lot at 9:30 or car-pool from municipal parking lot in Los Gatos (formally VTA lot) at 8:45 For more information, call Judy Holmes at (408) 379-3756.

Big Basin Trail Maintenance— Meet Jeff Bleam (831) 338-0774 at park headquarters at 9:00 AM. See January 12 entry.

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

Almaden Quicksilver County Park — Meet at Camden and route 85 at 9:15 or meet at Mc Abee entrance at 9:30. Call Mary Ellen Quinn (408) 885-0184.

Castle Rock State Park Trail Maintenance — Meet at Saratoga Gap parking lot at 9:00 AM. Call Martin Donald at (650) 966-1984. See January 19 entry.

Pinnacles National Monument — Our annual outing to the Pinnacles is always spectacular. We will do our usual hike of about 10 miles, going up to The High Peaks and returning via The Balconies. We will start early. Call Steve Braley (408) 981-9753 for time and place of carpooling.

Butano Redwoods State Park— This moderate loop hike of about 11 miles is mostly through the redwoods. We'll hope to see early wildflowers, including trillium and hopefully Calypso orchids. Meet at Page Mill and 280 at 8 AM to carpool, or at the entrance kiosk at 9:30 AM Leader is Cathy Howard (650) 966-1850.

Henry Coe State Park — A strenuous hike of about 10 miles in this lovely park. We will visit China Hole again. This hike is only for those who do not mind long steep grades. Call Vivian Jung (408) 238-3388 for car-pooling info. Heavy rain cancels. The wildflowers should be blooming well by this date.

Santa Cruz Mountains TRAIL DAYS — Reserve this date for fixing those trails that you all love to hike.