Schedule
The Black Mountain Group of the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
invites you to hike with us. Our activity schedule is sustained by
volunteer leaders. If you want to lead a hike or other activity
please contact our activities coordinator, Paul Worden, 650-857- 1623,
We prefer moderate hikes combining good exercise with good companions,
appreciation of nature, and plenty of variety. If you are unsure about
times, meeting places, or requirements for a hike, please check with
the leader for details. Always bring plenty of water and lunch,
unless indicated otherwise. Dress for the weather and be prepared for
changes. We recommend boots for general hiking.
To automatically receive our schedule by e-mail send a request to
Unless you are familiar with the hike or hike
regularly, please consider contacting the leader. While we maintain a moderate
pace, we do occasionally encounter a steep hill. We use the common number and
letter code to denote a hike's difficulty.
When attending a hike always bring water and lunch. The example hike above
requires 2 quarts of water, depending on the weather and the person. Be sure to
bring an extra layer of clothing, in case the weather changes, and boots are
recommended for most hikes.
CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by
the State of California.
Saturday's hike will be a short photogenic rocky scramble, which will take most of the day.
We will explore, photograph, and wallow in all the rocky grottos and enclaves, as well as
spring’s flowery profusion along this seldom traveled path. Be prepared! Wear long pants,
shirt, and sturdy boots to protect against the poison oak, ticks and encroaching bushes. I
also suggest you bring your garden clippers so we can help clear the trail. Sunday we will do our usual scramble on a large sandstone outcrop and explore an archeological site near our campsite. The flowers are out and hopefully they will be at their height the weekend of the car camp.
We will camp under the gigantic oaks next to some rocky boulders Saturday night. This is
a “primitive” campsite. There are absolutely no facilities of any kind. Bring a trowel
and water for two days. Everyone is responsible for your own food. If you don’t want to
cook at our campsite you can drive into the Army Reservation and eat at the adobe restaurant
(an old Hearst ranch).
Other requirements: In order to pass thru the military reservation you need to show your
drivers license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration. Your car must be able to
ford two creeks and handle some rough dirt roads. If you would like a campfire, please
bring firewood, a shovel and water to douse it when we leave. Heavy rain cancels.
Meet 7:00AM sharp Saturday at the Cottle Road and Highway 85 Park & Ride for a carpool.
If you would like to go down Friday night, give me a call and I will give you detailed
instructions where and when to meet Saturday morning.
Details about hikes to follow but assume a 9:00AM meeting at the Page Mill P&R or 10:00AM
at the Portola Redwoods State Park headquarters for both hikes.
Distance
Elevation
1 = under 5 miles
A = under 1000 feet
2 = 5 - 10 miles
B = 1000 - 2000 feet
3 = 10 - 15 miles
C = 2000 - 3000 feet
4 = 15 - 20 miles
D = 3000 - 4000 feet
5 = 20 - 25 miles
E = 4000 - 5000 feet
April 5
Point Reyes: Bear Valley to Mt. Wittenberg
Sat 3B
(14 miles, 1700 ft.). We'll start at the Bear Valley Visitors
Center and hike up Mt. Wittenberg through forest and meadows. We will then descend to the
Coastal Trail and hike along the ocean. Return will be by way of the rolling and shaded
Bear Valley Trail. Dress in layers, weather may be foggy and cool or sunny and warm. Bring
ample water and lunch. Meet for carpool at Edgewood/280 P&R at 8:00AM or at Bear Valley
Visitors Center near main Bear Valley trailhead at 9:30 AM. Optional dinner .
Leader: Cynthia Bollinger, 650-226-3958
April 6
Rancho San Antonio OSP
Sun 2A
A 5-6 mile hike past the farm and up to the vista point.
Families and kids welcome. Heavy rain cancels. Meet 9:30 at main parking lot.
Leader: Rich Ober (408) 738-6995
April 12-13
Ventana Wilderness Hike/Car Camp
Sat/Sun 2A
Ventana Wilderness and Los Padres National Forest have some
extraordinary natural resources not yet discovered by the hordes of Californians. The
huge old majestic oaks, the sculpted sandstone rock formations and the spring flowers are
what draws me back to Ventana every year.
Leader: Diane Medrano 510-656-1981
April 19
Pinnacles National Monument
Sat 3D
(11.5 miles, 4000 feet) Join us for this strenuous hike as
we ascend North Chalone Peak and the High Peaks in search of California Condors. Enjoy
expansive vistas at our mountaintop lunch spot. Bring hiking boots, lunch, snacks, sun
protection and plenty of water. Be prepared for rain. No host carpool 7:30 a.m. at Page
Mill and I-280 Park and Ride, or meet 9:30 a.m. at the Bear Gulch Nature Center, Pinnacles
east side. Day use fee $5.00 per vehicle. Rain or shine. Check out the new information
about Pinnacles National Monument, at:
http://www.nps.gov/pinn Call leaders A.S.A.P. to discuss optional camping.
Leader: Jenny Maida and Bill Young, 408-353-9488
April 26
Castle Rock / Skyline Sanborn Loop Hike
Sat 3B
(12 miles, 1900 ft.). This hike will encompass a series of
trails which make nearly the longest loop possible at the two parks. Featured highlights
include unique rock formations, waterfalls, spectacular vistas and a spring. There might
even be some redwood trees along the way (leader will count). No host carpool 9:30 am at
Page Mill/280 P&R or meet at 10:00 am at the Castle Rock SP parking lot (on Hwy. 35, 2.5
miles south of Hwy. 9). Bring lunch, liquids, boots and rain gear (only very heavy rain
cancels).
Leader: Jerry Peters (650)947-9494
May 3
Mitchell Canyon Loop, Mt Diablo
Sat 2B
(8 miles, 1500 feet). A beautiful, but seldom hiked loop
since it is located on the backside of Mt Diablo. Lots of pretty spring flowers. Heavy
rain cancels. No host carpool Page Mill P&R 8:00AM or 9:30AM at Michell Canyon Interpretive
Center & Ranger Station.
Leader: Diane Medrano (510) 656-1981
May 4
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
Sun 1A
A 5 mile loop along the Ridge Trail and returning primarily
via the Ancient Oaks Trail. Easy pace. Families and kids welcome. Possible good
wildflower displays.Heavy rain cancels. Carpool 9 AM at Page Mill and 280 Park and Ride
or meet 9:30 at parking lot on Alpine Road near Skyline Blvd intersection. From 280 north,
exit Page Mill south, continue up to and cross Skyline Blvd. Parking lot immediately on
right.
Leader: Rich Ober (408) 738-6995
May 10
Henry Coe Park
Sat 3B
(10 miles, 2000 feet). Meet at the Page Mill and 280 park
and ride at 8:00am or the Dowdy Ranch entrance to Henry W. Coe State Park at 9:30am.
We'll carpool in to the Orestimba Corral and hike to Mississippi Lake and back via the
Alquist Trail and the Hartman Trail. Bring lunch and lots of liquids, boots required.
Leader: Libby Vincent, 650 424-8731
May 17
Windy Hill/Coal Mine Ridge
Sat 2B
(8 miles, 1500 feet). This hike will first explore some of
the lower trails in the Windy Hill preserve before entering into the Coal Mine Ridge trail
system. Featured highlights include a year-round pond, spectacular vistas and several
pretty creeks. No host carpool 9:45 am at Page Mill/280 P&R or meet at 10:00 am at the
main Windy Hill parking lot on Portola Rd. Bring lunch, liquids and boots.
Leader: Jerry Peters (650)947-9494
May 24
El Sereno Open Space Preserve
Sat 2B
(~9.5 miles, 1900 feet). Moderate paced out-and-back hike in
this secluded South Bay preserve. It offers panoramic views of South Bay and Lexington Reservoir. On clear days, you can see all the way to San Francisco in one end and Monterey
peninsula in the other. Trail is mostly exposed but shaded at lower elevation. There is
no map, no water, and no facility in this preserve. Bring plenty of water, brunch, hiking
boots and sun protection. Meet at 8:30 AM at the Los Gatos Municipal Northside Parking
Lot, located on Hwy. 9 (Los Gatos-Saratoga Road), between North Santa Cruz Ave. and
University Ave. Take Highway 17 south toward Los Gatos. Exit at hwy. 9-Los Gatos/Saratoga
and continue west on Hwy. 9 (approx. 1/3-mile) to the parking lot, located on your right
just before Santa Cruz Ave. No host carpool 8 AM at Page Mill Road/280 Park& Ride.
For more information about this preserve, visit:
http://www.openspace.org/preserves/pr_el_sereno.asp
Leader: Sharon Chuang 408-396-5484, sharonSierra@gmail.com, Jay Michlin 408-393-6664
May 31
Point Lobos State Reserve Leisure/Photo Hike
Sat 2A
(7miles 800 feet). During the entire month of May California
State Parks is celebrating the beauty and the history of Point LobosState Reserve and the
75th anniversary of becoming a State Park in 1933. Each Saturday in May Rangers and
Volunteers will provide special programs and activities intended to highlight a different
aspect of Point Lobos.” May 31 is Point Lobos – the Arts Day. You can join some of the
special program (hike with a poet or learn how-to photo from professionals) or hike with us
slowly along the Store Trail. Photographers are welcome to go at their own pace and we
will get together for lunch. Carpool at Palo Alto Park Ride (Page Mill & 280) at 8:30AM
or 10:30AM at park entrance. There is an $9 per car entrance fee. Bring: camera, binocular,
lunch, lots of liquids, light jacket (the weather on the coast may be unpredictable)
Leader: Robbie Chung 650-281-4803
June 14
Point Reyes National Seashore, Sir Francis Drake Estero
Sat 3B
(10+ miles, 1000 feet). Walk along the edge of the estuary
that Sir Francis Drake may have sailed into on board his ship, the Golden Hind. This hike
will offer dramatic vistas of the estuary and possible sightings of seals, rays, and sharks.
Bring lunch and lots of water. Dress for both hot and windy weather. Meet for carpool at
Edgewood/280 P&R at 8:00AM or at the Sir Francis Drake Estero trailhead at 9:45AM.
Optional dinner stop after hike.
Leader: Cynthia Bollinger, 650-226-3958
June 21
Berry Creek Falls Loop Hike
Sat 3C
(12 miles, 2700 feet). Join us for one of the most renowned
hikes in the entire SF Bay Area. Featured highlights include old-growth redwoods, pretty
creeks and three waterfalls where hikers can get up-close and personal. No host carpool
8:45am at Page Mill/280 P&R or meet at 10:00 am at the Big Basin Redwoods SP parking lot
(on Hwy. 236 across from the park headquarters). Bring lunch, liquids and boots.
Leader: Jerry Peters (650)947-9494
June 28
Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP
Sat 3B
(10 miles, 2000 feet). We will meet at the Higgins- Purisima
Road entrance 4.5 miles east of Highway One. Parking is *very* limited so carpooling is
essential. I intend to follow the Bald Knob trail out to Irish Ridge trail and as far as
we can go on the Lobitos Creek Trail. This time of year is a two liters of water day and
bring your lunch and sturdy boots for an invigorating hike. Carpool from Edgewood Rd. and
280 park & ride at 9:15AM. The hike begins at 10AM.
Leader: Carl Essex 650-367-962
July 5
BMG Annual Potluck at Portola Redwoods State Park
Saturday
Please join us for the traditional Black Mountain Group day
of hikes and BBQ potluck. We will offer both a moderate and long hike. Hikes will end
earlier this year so we can enjoy more afternoon warmth. BMG will provide the fires to BBQ
your favorite food. Please bring lunch and beverages for the hikes, something to BBQ, a
potluck dish to share, and your own plate and utensils.
For further information, contact Cynthia Bollinger, 650-226-3958.