Tag: California

Pulgas Ridge and Hiking Year in Review

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Dusky Woodrat Trail Some stats, notes and observations:  Duration: 2 hours (including a few stops for water, snacks, etc.)Distance: 3.6 miles (per All Trails) loopElevation Gain: 695 feetWeather: 54° F at 11amStarting Location – Pulgas Ridge Parking Lot (167 Edmonds Rd, Redwood City, CA 94062)Hike (URL): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/dusky-footed-woodrat-and-cordilleras-trailsPulgas Ridge information: https://www.openspace.org/preserves/pulgas-ridgeNotes and Observations:  It looks like this year will … Continue reading Pulgas Ridge and Hiking Year in Review

Point Reyes

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Some stats, notes and observations:  Duration: 5 hours (including a few stops for water, snacks, etc.; and driving time from Hike #1 to Hike #2)Distance: 11 miles (10.1 per All Trails)Elevation Gain: 1,361 feet (both trails)Weather: 50° F at 9am; 70° F at 1pmStarting Location – Hike #1: Drakes Head Trail Parking Lot (38.08154, -122.91403)Starting Location – … Continue reading Point Reyes

Among the Big Trees

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What can you tell from a picture?  Redwoods (lots of them!), gorgeous and rich canopy, soft and forgiving forest floor, morning, partly sunny, likely not winter, lightly trafficked trail, non-technical terrain, somewhere in Northern California (or possibly even further north), etc.  Other aspects are less apparent, if not apparent at all.  Is this spring, summer, or fall?  Did it … Continue reading Among the Big Trees

Huddart County Park

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Some stats, notes and observations:  Duration: 3.5 hours (including a few stops for water, snacks, etc.)Distance: 9.8 miles (8.5 per All Trails)Elevation Gain: 1,745 feetWeather: 53° F at 8am, 34 AQI, partly cloudy Starting Location: South Parking Lot, Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP parking lot (@Skyline Blvd) Route (URL): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/summit-spring-crystal-spring-bay-tree-and-dean-loopRoute Details: Loop: Summit Spring to Crystal Springs to Bay Tree to … Continue reading Huddart County Park

Sacramento River

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Early morning on the river It’s 1:30 p.m.  Perfect, sunny, warm, early October Monday afternoon, following a classically cool morning until the sun emerged over the river.  Thousands of miles, figuratively, from the home office. Cell phone with zero battery power, so no distractions, to be recharged in the car in about an hour.  Light breeze.  Good company.  Competent and … Continue reading Sacramento River

October

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Not quite Paris, but Café La Tartine in Redwood City will do nicely, especially during a pandemic.  Functional cappuccino.  Absolutely delicious croissant, fresh from the oven, comparable to, if not better than, one I might enjoy from a boulangerie in the 7th arrondissement, close to La Tour Eiffel.  Yes, I had to wait ten minutes, but it was pleasant … Continue reading October

Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve

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Some stats, notes and observations:  Duration: 4.5 hours (including a few stops for water, snacks, etc.)Distance: 12 miles (11.2 per All Trails)Elevation Gain: 3,146 feetWeather: 63° F at 8am, 36 AQI; 72° F at 1pm (i.e., perfect Fall weather)Starting Location: Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve (https://www.openspace.org/sites/default/files/map_RSA.pdf) parking lots (pick one)  Route (URL): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/black-mountain-via-pge-quarry-and-black-mountain-trailRoute Details: Out-and-back: Coyote, to Stephen … Continue reading Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve

Sweeney Ridge Trail

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Sweeney Ridge Trail, June 2021 The Sweeney Ridge Trail starts at the end of Sneath Lane, in San Bruno, California, about 15 miles south of San Francisco. Due south are San Andreas (yes, same as the fault) Lake and Crystal Springs Reservoir, which is fed by Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, in Yosemite, more than 180 miles … Continue reading Sweeney Ridge Trail

What’s Your Superpower?

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Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco Hmm.  In high school, more than thirty years ago, I was a good student, decent in sports (tennis, soccer, and basketball), and reasonably well-rounded.  Jack of all trades, probably master of none.  Today, I’m a proficient writer, decent soccer player, competent hiker, etc.  I am also a father, son, grandson, legal … Continue reading What’s Your Superpower?

Coastal Trail

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Coastal Trail, near Pirate's Cove Some stats, notes and observations:  Duration: 6.5 hours (including a few stops for water, snacks, etc.)Distance: 11.7 (14.0) milesElevation Gain: 3,313+ feetWeather: Cool (58 degrees F) and foggy at the beginning of the hike (8:00am), steady wind increasing on the ridges, partly sunny (65 degrees) by the end of the … Continue reading Coastal Trail