Sugarloaf Peak 2023

Hike 6/50. I am not one for New Year’s resolutions, but this year I committed to one: 50 hikes. I call it 50 for 50, as I turn 50 this year. The expectancy of youth, one of my favorite expressions from The Years (Ernaux), is gone, but there are 44 more adventures to plan. So far, most of the hikes have been local, with the farthest 25 miles north, in San Francisco. January was especially wet, and unsuitable for serious day hiking. Parks were closed, usually quite sensibly. I cancelled a group hike for the first time in two years, due to a park closure. Truth be told, as it always should, one of the hikes was probably more of a neighborhood walk than anything else, but we did venture on a dirt path along a swollen creek. Close enough, but I might drop this one if I finish 2023 with more than 50.

I have hiked Sugarloaf Peak, in Laurelwood Park, many times. 0.9 miles to the top, San Bruno Mountain and San Francisco to the north, the coastal range to the west, the Bay and Diablo to the east, and the Belmont hills to the south. Somewhat tricky conditions yesterday, for reasons that might not be entirely apparent. It had rained, unexpectedly, the night before. I can deal with mud, and it’s quite likely that my hiking companion (below) prefers it, but I try to avoid it if possible. Hiking is fun; cleaning is not. There are more than a few trails to the top, as well as more than a few around the mountain. Needless to say, the ones at or near the top were in reasonably good condition, while the ones near the bottom required, well, creativity. Some zigging and zagging, and understandable confusion from my companion. Probably 3 miles in total, so not too bad. Cool and blustery, especially at the top, but, ultimately, grey skies giving way to weak winter sunlight, flitting across mangled moss-covered oak trees and tall green grass.

Comments welcomed.