Hiking Adventures in the San Francisco Peninsula and Beyond
Sugarloaf Peak (San Mateo, CA) The surge continues. But, at Sugarloaf Peak, in San Mateo, but for a masked hiker (new show?) or two, it might as well be business as usual. Mind you, Sugarloaf was not my first choice. Pulgas Ridge (https://johnpavolotsky.com/2021/12/24/pulgas-ridge-and-hiking-year-in-review/), my go-to for dog friendly hikes, was packed, no parking except on the streets, perhaps a third … Continue reading Sugarloaf Peak
Tahoe Donner Resort Hello 2022! Best wishes for a fresh start and a smooth(er) ride, from Truckee, California! December was Snowmageddon, with the most December snowfall since 1970. Given our drought situation, unsurprisingly more snow is needed. Fresh powder abounded on December 31st, my first day on the slopes in nearly two years. Imagine gliding on the snow, frictionless, … Continue reading Lake Tahoe
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
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
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
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
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
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
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, 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
The Peninsula Hiking Club 