Winter, 2010 activities of the SCMTA

Forest of Nisene Marks State Park— A loop of 10 miles, up the West Ridge Trail, over to Maple Falls and then back down the Loma Prieta Trail. Meet at George's Picnic Area at 9:30 or carpool from the Municipal Parking Lot at Los Gatos at 8:30. Call Ed La Pointe (650) 966-1850.

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. Call or email Al at palisin AT comcast DOT net.

Sam McDonald and Pescadero Creek County Parks— A moderate 10 mile hike. Meet at the ranger station at Sam McDonald Park at 9:30 AM or join us for an overnight at the Hike rs Hut in Sam McDonald on January 9. The first 11 people to contact Mark are guaranteed a spot. For more info call Mark Bowden at (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.

San Franciso-Bernal Heights— New stairway walk in the unique Bernal Heights neighborhood. Walk will begin at 9:30 at Precita Park (cross street Harrison) and end with lunch in the park about 1:00. Two sandwich shops are across the street. Heavy rain cancels. We will carpool from Page Mill/280 at 8:45 or meet at the park. Steve Braley 408-981-9753.

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: Nancy Davidson (650) 365-6774 or 650-575-5889 cell.

Alviso Slough Trail Loop— 9 miles . Flat landers dream hike. We'll stroll through salt ponds and see loads of birds. Normal stuff, bring water and your lunch. Beer after at Vals. Carpool at 8:45am at Meridian/Parkmoor/280-San Jose by Post Office or at Alviso Marina at 9:30 (1195 Hope, Alviso). Leader is Ellen at 408-892-2461 .

Baylands and Stevens Creek Trail—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 at 9:15 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.

After the hike we will plan next quarter's hikes over lunch at the Tied House, 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 9 entry for details.

Trail Maintenance - Skyline to the Sea Trail— Call Al Lisin at (408) 252-8106 for more information. Call or email Al at palisin AT comcast DOT net

Hidden Villa— Hike 8 miles of creekside trails with a loop through Duveneck Windmill Preserve. Heavy rain cancels. There is a fee for parking at HV. Carpool from Page Mill/280 at 9:10 am or meet at Hidden Villa, ready to hike at 9:30. Leader is Cathy Howard, 650-966-1850 or cathyhoward AT earthlink DOT net

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 16 entry.

Sunol Regional Park— Great views. 10-12 miles, approx. 2500' elevation gain. Meet 8:45 A.M. at Middlefield and Rengstorff, at Meridian/Parkmoor by the Post Office at 8:45 or 9:30 at park headquarters. Moderate to strenuous. Rain may cancel. Mary Ellen Quinn (408) 885-0184.

Pacheco State Park— Pacheco State Park. A moderate 10 mile hike. Expect to see spectacular wildflower displays. We will take the Dinosaur Lake Trail to Canyon Loop to South Boundary Loop and return on the Spikes Peak Trail. Meet at the parking lot near the park entrance off Dinosaur Point Road at 9:30 AM or carpool from the Park and Ride Lot at Cottle Road and Hwy 85 at 8:30 AM. Rain cancels. Call Janet McCarron at (408) 245-1519 for more information.

Santa Teresa County Park— This will be a moderate hike to see early spring flowers. Carpool from Park and Ride (VTA) at Cottle and Hwy 85 at 9.00 or meet at the Stile Ranch trail head parking lot at the end of Fortini Rd. 9.30. Heavy rain will cancel the hike. Vivian Jung (408) 238-3388.

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

Trail Maintenance - Skyline to the Sea Trail— Call Al Lisin (408) 252-8106 for more information. Call or email Al at palisin AT comcast DOT net.

El Sereno Open Space— An 8.8 mile out and back hike on a beautiful, lonely dirt road. Elevation gain about 1500 feet. Views of San Jose and surrounding mountains. After hiking: Coffee break at downtown Los Gatos Le Boulanger where we'll enjoy the nearby park. Meet at 9:00 at the unlimited time parking area on the north side of Saratoga-Los Gatos Rd between University Ave and Santa Cruz Ave (formally VTA lot). Howard and Joni, 408-378-1638.

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 16 entry.

Pinnacles National Monument— Our annual outing to the Pinnacles is always spectacular. Camping on Sat. nite 3/20/10 — Hike 9:30 3/21/10. not sure of the route but it will be good — For camping and carpool info call todd 831-239-6618.

Pleasanton Ridge Regional park— Climb 1200' past giant oak, bay and sycamore groves to the ridge, viewing Livermore Valley and Altamont Pass to the east, Diablo and Sunol Parks to north and south, and a hidden canyon to the west. Continue north on the ridge and loop back for 10 miles total. Meet at 9:30 at the parking lot west of Fwy 680: Go 1/2 mi. W. from Castlewood Dr. exit, then 1/2 mi. S. on Foothill Rd or meet for carpooling at Rengstorff & Middlefield at 8:45. Led by Martin Donald, (650) 966-1984.

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