Hiking Adventures in the San Francisco Peninsula and Beyond
View from the ridge just to the south of Mission Peak Some stats, notes and observations: Duration: 5 hours (including a few stops for water, snacks, etc.)Distance: 11.6 milesElevation Gain: 3,363 feetWeather: 42° F at 8am; 62° F at 1pmStarting Location: Ohlone College - Student Parking K, Pine St, Fremont, CA 94539 (37.52772, -121.9154)Hike (URL): Mission Peak and Peak Meadow … Continue reading Mission Peak
Dear Reader, Time to rebrand. Why? Reflections was too serious a title and really said nothing about what you might find on this site. Reflections on what? Exactly. The Daily Grind is more apt, although, I concede, not terribly original. Perhaps slightly better than Central Perk. Let me know if you agree. That said, I … Continue reading The Daily Grind
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
Leading one of my monthly hikes, to Point Reyes this time I never envisioned myself as a coach, but one day my spouse volunteered me to be an assistant coach for my son’s AYSO U-10 soccer team. I had fun and next year I volunteered myself to be head coach. In AYSO, everyone plays, essentially equal time. A … Continue reading Find a Coach!
The near-perfect cappuccino I had posted a top 5 idea list for the new year on another social networking site. Due to the positive response, I will add a few more, with [brackets] to delineate the additions. Enjoy. It seems worthwhile to start the year with a top 5 idea list: 1. Continuous learning is a #mindset. … Continue reading Top 10 Ideas – 2022
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
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
The Peninsula Hiking Club 