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.
Sometimes information on carpools are given in the hike description. No host carpool
means hike leader will not be at the carpool location. Please do not carpool
with people you are unfamiliar with.
CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by
the State of California.
Hike Route: To be determined. Our goal is to get to the high peaks viewing area for condors around lunch time. We do plan to hike to both caves if possible. http://home.nps.gov/applications/hafe/hfc/carto-detail.cfm?Alpha=PINN Carpool Location: No-host carpool from 280/Page Mill park and ride at 8AM. Carpool from the Cottle park and ride off of highway 85 at 8:30AM. Meet at the Bear Gulch parking area (North entrance) at 9:45AM. Start hike at 10AM. There will be a dinner option after the hike. Carpool accordingly. Camping: Leila has reserved a campground next to the water for Friday 10/23 and Sat 10/24. That site allows only two cars so please email Leila if you want to join the camping party. Bring: A camera, binoculars, protection from the sun, good hiking boots (no tennis shoes), a head lamp or flash light for the caves, at least 2 liters of water. a lunch, money for carpooling, park entrance fee ($5 per car), and dinner afterwards.
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
Oct 3
Mid-Autumn Foster City Night Walk
Sat 1A
(4miles, 200ft) Oct 3 is a full moon night and it is also the Mid-Autumn Festival in the Chinese calendar.
We will walk along the Foster City Lagoon and some city neighborhoods, towards the Bay with view of San Mateo Bridge.
We will end at the Leo Ryan Park for a taste of Moon Cake (Chinese Cake) before disbanding.
Meet at the Foster City Senior Center Parking Lot at 7PM. Address: 650 Shell Blvd. Foster City, CA 94404
Bring flash light; Comfortable shoe; a jacket-Foster city can be windy and cold; Keep your finger cross for a clear sky. Rain Cancels
Leader: Robbie Chung 650-281-4803
Oct 10
Princeton to Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Sat 2A
(7mi, 1000ft) We will hike along the coast from Princeton by the Sea to Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. We will take an easy pace to enjoy the view and take photos. Along the way we will pass through some interesting houses, Pillar Point Bluff, yacht club, Cypress forest and other visual attractions. Low tide is at 1 PM at the Marine Reserve but we need a reservation for more than 10 persons to get onto the Reserve. I will try to make the reservation but it is not a sure thing.
Carpool at Edgewood and 280 at 9:30 or 10AM at the Princeton Harbor parking lot.
Bring: camera, lunch, liquids, hat and jacket (the weather on the coast may be unpredictable)
Leader: Robbie Chung 650-281-4803
Oct 17
San Francisco portion of the Ridge Trail
Sat 3A
(10 miles <1000 ft.) Hike not defined so call hike leader for more details closer to hike date.
As always, bring good walking shoes and water. There will be a lunch option
at a restaurant along the way. Hike begins at 10AM at the corner of 36th Ave.
and Wawona St. about 100 feet east of Sunset Blvd. Carpool 9:30AM at Edgewood Road & 280 park & ride.
Leader: Carl Essex 650-367-9629
Oct 24
Pinnacles National Park
Sat 3C
Pinnacles National Park truly is a unique place. It is the spectacular remains of an ancient volcano with massive monoliths, spires, sheer-walled canyons, caves, California Condors, and amazing wildflowers. We plan to hike the “high peaks” which offer amazing views and a chance to view the condors. For more information about the park go to http://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm. October is a good time to visit the park because, according to the website, “The entire cave is open for at least a week, usually the last week of the month (October). The entire cave may also open earlier, depending on the presence of the colony of bats.” The caves are really cool and are usually closed or partially closed. You do NOT need to go inside the caves since Fran will lead one group on a path around the caves. I will lead the other group into the caves because I love them. Rain cancels.
Leaders: Leila Dibble, dancingdibble at yahoo dot com, and Fran Keeler, frankeeler at yahoo dot com.
Oct 25
Mount Madonna County Park
Sun 2B
(6 miles, 1200 ft) This is a moderate hike at an easy pace . Enjoy redwoods, valley views and visit the white
reindeer and haunted ruins of the Miller Ranch. This hike is jointly listed with the Guadalupe Regional Group.
To car pool, meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Los Gatos Municipal Lot (Highway 9 between University and Santa Cruz Ave,
on the north side behind Chase bank), or 10:00 a.m. at the Sprig Lake parking lot off of Highway 152.
or No host car pool at 8;30 a.m. at Page Mill Rd and I280 Park and Ride
Bring lunch, liquids and hiking boots. Heavy rain cancels
Please check this link for mapping party update
http://www.lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/calendar.asp?eventid=1245
Leaders: Shawn Britton, 408-551-0722 and Linda Barbosa, 408-778-7122.
Oct 31
Wunderlich County Park
Sat 3C
We'll head up Bear Gulch Trail, follow the Alambique, then cross Skyline Blvd to
visit the Methuselah Tree. We'll loop back to the cars for a total of 13 miles.
Meet at 8:30am at the Park. Bring lunch and liquids for the day.
Leader: Debbie Benham, 650-964-0558
Nov 7
Joseph D. Grant County Park
Sat 2B
(9mi, 1600ft) Joseph Grant County Park is located at the base of Mt. Hamilton and is the largest Santa Clara county park. Hike features the old Grant ranch house, Grant Lake, extensive grasslands, majestic oak trees, and magnificent views of Mt. Hamilton to the east and Hall's Valley to the west. Heavy rain cancels. Bring layered clothing,a hat, sunscreen, lunch, liquids, boots, and hiking poles if you need them. Short sections of the trail are steep. Meet at the Park at 10AM. Take Hwy 101 or Hwy 680 to Alum Rock Ave eastbound, turn right onto Mt. Hamilton Rd, and travel eight miles to the park entrance on the right. $6 vehicle entry fee. After entering the park, continue past the first parking area on the left, then turn left
where the road splits and park near the restrooms. Carpool from Joseph Lick High School parking lot at the northwest corner of Alum Rock Ave. and White Road at 9:20AM. No-host carpool from Page Mill and 280 Park & Ride leaves at 9AM.
Leaders: Leila Dibble, dancingdibble at yahoo dot com, and Fran Keeler, frankeeler at yahoo dot com.
Nov 14
San Lorenzo River
Sat 3C
(11 miles 2000 ft) This well shaded hike takes us through stands of redwoods along the San Lorenzo River for a portion of the hike. Bring your lunch to enjoy next to the "creek" at this crossing point and the usual water and hiking boots. Meet in the parking lot at the juncture of Hiway 9 and 236 which is the entrance road to Big Basin Park at 10AM. Carpool from the 280 & Page Mill Road park & ride at 9AM. Only heavy rain will cancel.
Leader: Carl Essex 650-367-9629
Nov 21
Ft. Mason to Sausalito and Ferry Back
Sat 3B
(12 mi, 1500 ft). We will hike from Fort Mason to the Palace of Fine Arts and then across the Golden Gate Bridge. We go on to Sausalito and take the Ferry back to San Francisco and walk or take SF Muni back to Fort Mason. Carpool at Edgewood and 280 at 8:30 or 9:30AM at the parking lot, corner of Marina and Buchanan (across from the Safeway) outside of Fort Mason. Bring: camera, lunch, liquids, hat and jacket (the weather on the coast may be unpredictable). Bring some money for the Ferry ride ($8.75), snack in Sausalito and Fisherman Wharf.
Leader: Jay Michlin 408-393-6664, jay.michlin AT gmail.com
Nov 28
Montara from McNee Ranch
Sat 2B
I am not sure of the mileage, but this is a steep 1600’ climb from near beach level to the Montara summit. Be prepared for a good workout rewarded with views, weather permitting. Hike is on well worn path and fire road. Bring sunscreen, layers, hiking boots, lunch and water. Carpool 9:15AM at Edgewood Road & 280 park & ride. Hike starts 10AM at the Montara State Beach/McNee Ranch trailhead on Highway 1, 4 miles south of Linda Mar Blvd in Pacifica . On the west side of Highway 1, look for an odd building "balanced" on some eroded sandstone (hard to miss). About 0.4 mile south of this, you will see a large dirt parking area on the east side of the road. No water or facilities at trailhead. Heavy rain cancels.
Leader: Ann Kopari 408-857-9790 suomi19531"AT"yahoo.com
Dec 5
Hidden Villa Ranch
Sat 2B
(8 miles 1000 ft) This hike will stay within the confines of Hidden Villa Ranch and explore a seldom used trail up and along a creek. If it has been raining the creek may be flowing and waterproof boots are recommended. They request a $5 parking fee so be prepared. Bring your lunch and water. Restrooms available at beginning of hike. Meet in the first parking lot on the right at 26870 Moody Rd. at 10AM or carpool from 280 & Page Mill Road park & ride at 9:30AM. Heavy rain will cancel hike.
Leader: Beth Essex 650-367-9629
Dec 5
Harvey Bear Ranch in Gilroy
Sat 2B
(6 miles, 1000) This will be a moderate hike at an easy pace in the rolling hills of one of the most recent additions to the Santa Clara County Parks System. This hike is join listed with the Guadalupe Regional Group.
Bring lunch, water, and hiking boots. Heavy rain cancels. We will be meeting at 10:00 AM. The trailhead location will be determined by current trail conditions so please call the leaders. Car pool location: 9:00 AM at Los Gatos Municipal Parking Lot (Highway 9 between University Ave & Santa Cruz Ave, behind Chase bank)
Leaders: Linda Barbosa 408-778-7122 and Shawn Britton 408-551-0722
Dec 12
Stevens Cyn/ Long Ridge Loop
Sat 3C
(11 miles, 2300ft.). This hike will descend into Stevens Canyon and requires two creek crossings before coming back out on a different trail. We will return via Long Ridge which features spectacular vistas toward the coast.
No host carpool 9:15 am at Page Mill/280 P&R or meet at 10:00 am at the Grizzly Flat trailhead parking lot (on Hwy. 35, 3.2 miles north of Hwy. 9/ 3.0 miles south of Alpine Rd.). Bring lunch, liquids, boots and rain gear (only very heavy rain cancels).
Leader: Jerry Peters 650-947-9494
Dec 19
Sunol Regional Park
Sat 3C
(13 mi) From Park HQ, we'll head up Flag Hill, then out to the Maguire Peaks; tap Eagle View Summit; return via Indian Joe Creek Trail; lunch somewhere along the way. Carpool: Meet 8:30am at Mission Blvd (most northern exit off Hwy 680) Park&Ride, across from McDonalds, or, 9:00ish am at Park HQ (first parking lot on left as you enter Sunol).
Leader: Debbie Benham, 650-964-0558
Jan 1
Stanford Campus New Year's Day Hike
Fri 2B
(9 miles 800 ft) Spark up your new year and get away from the TV for this fast paced hike through the Stanford Campus up and around the "Dish" with many points of interest along the way to check out. Bring your lunch and water. Most of the hike is on concrete walks or paved streets so walking shoes are best. No carpool so just meet in the El Camino Park parking lot directly across from the Stanford Shopping Center on the easterly side of El Camino Real by the Cal Train RR tracks at 10AM. Light rain will not stop this hike.
Leader: Carl Essex 650-367-9629