Some November mornings along the coast in Northern California are crystal clear; this one, not so much. It had been a long week, and I would have probably preferred to stay in bed. But, the hike was on the calendar, and cancelling a hike last minute was not really an option. Some days you just need to get up and go. This was one of those days.
Montara Mountain has become an annual hike for the Peninsula Hiking Club, with the first one in June 2021. I can count at least 3 starting points: San Pedro Valley County Park (Pacifica), Gray Whale Cove Trail Parking Lot (between Pacific and Montara), and McNee Ranch State Park (same) – with all trails leading to the same terminus – North Peak, at about 1,900 feet. This time, we started and ended at San Pedro. If you’re really adventurous, you can start at San Pedro, hike up to North Peak, down to McNee Ranch, cross Highway 1 (very carefully) to Montara State Beach, enjoy a bagged lunch, cross back (same), check out Whale Cove, hike back up and around the mountain, back to San Pedro, and perhaps a cold beverage, for an epic, probably 15+ mile hike. This may be a project for 2025.
What’s next for the Peninsula Hiking Club?
No, not the Trout Farm Trail. Nice, but easy, and as such, not on the menu.
We have a moderate (probably closer to easy) hike in December, starting/ending at Lands End (San Francisco). Typically, this hike is 9-10 miles, but this year it will be 6-7 (probably closer to 6), to accommodate (entice?) families and their dogs. In January, we start ramping up, with our classic Mission Peak Double (12 miles, 3,800 feet elevation gain), before tackling Mount Diablo (14 miles, 4,.500 feet elevation gain) in February and Rose Peak (20 miles, 5,000+ feet elevation), in the Ohlone Wilderness, in March.
See you soon and happy trails.
The Peninsula Hiking Club 