The Loma Prietan
December 2002/January 2003
Activities Calendar
Backpacking
Explore the California wilderness. For one
year of newsletter send $12 check to Backpack Section, Ginny Fleming, 887 Roble Avenue
#3, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Complimentary newsletter sent upon request. Meetings are held second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Steve Stearns chair, 650/941-8676.
Day Hiking
All hikes by the Day Hiking Section are open to the general public--Sierra Club membership is not required. All participants are required
to sign a standard liability waiver. The hike schedule is available at www.sierraclub.org/chapters/lomaprieta/dayhiking/. Hikers new to the group are required to call the hike leader
in advance. The hike rating system is as follows:
Distance:
2 = 5-10 miles
3 = 10-15 miles
4 = 15-20 miles
5 = 20-25 miles |
Elevation:
B = 1000-2000 feet
C = 2000-3000 feet
D = 3000-4000 feet
E = 4000-5000 feet |
Dec. 7 Henry Coe Sat. 4D. A loop hike from Gilroy Hot Springs to Coit Lake with a possible visit to Pacheco Falls, via the Cross Canyon
trail. Route may vary depending on conditions. Moderate pace, stream crossings. Meet at 7:30 a.m. Cottle & Hwy. 85 P&R or 8:30 a.m. Gilroy Hot Springs trailhead. Leaders: Landa Robillard 408/378-5311 (H), 408/496-5137 (W); John Wilkinson 408/947-0858
jfwilkinson@sbcglobal.net.
Dec. 7 Montara Mtn. Sat. 3C/4D. Commemorate the day on this enchanted mountain, with spectacular views from the summit in clear weather. Be prepared for steep climbs and coastal weather. No-host carpool 7:45 a.m. at Edgewood & I-280 P&R or meet at San Pedro Valley County Park visitor center, 600 Oddstad Blvd. in Pacifica, near the east end of Linda Mar Blvd. ($4 parking). Call leader if you have not hiked with the group before. Also listed with SF Bay Chapter. Leader: Richard Boyden 650/355-4168 richardboyden@earthlink.net.
Dec. 14 Mt. Tam Holiday Hike Sat. 3C. Weather determines route (if OK, traditional Rocky Point route). Potluck following hike at leader's home. Suggested carpool: 7:30 a.m. Edgewood & I-280 P&R. Call leader for
trailhead info. Leader: Betty Sills 650/345-5880.
Dec. 16 Hike leaders meeting Mon. 7:30 pm. Meet in the Raptor Suite at the Peninsula Conservation Center, 3921 Bayshore Road, Palo Alto. There will be hike signup sheets for February, March, and April. This meeting
is open to all Sierra Club members. Please bring goodies to share!
Dec. 25 Christmas Day on Mt. Tam Wed. 3B. Hike led by Santa Klaus Muehlmann. Meet at 9 a.m. at Mountain Home and bring holiday goodies to share at our festive lunch. Rain cancels; drizzle might cancel; call. Leader: Klaus Muehlmann 415/584-7644.
Dec. 28 Maguire Peaks Loop Sat. 3C. Hike
up Flag Hill and loop around Maguire Peaks. Slightly over 10 miles, some steep hills. We
may climb one or more of the Maguire Peaks
if people want to. Moderate pace, beginners welcome. Suggested no-host carpool at Cubberley High School at 8 a.m. or meet at Sunol Visitor Center on Geary Rd. at 9 a.m. Leader: Dee and Rick Booth
rdbooth@worldnet.att.net.
Jan. 4 Sunol Sat. 4D. Includes Flag Hill and Maguire Peaks. Meet at 8 a.m. Hwy I-680 & 238 P&R (North Mission exit), or at 8:30 a.m. at the trailhead. Heavy rain cancels. Leaders: Landa Robillard 408/378-5311 (H), 408/496-5137 (W); Betty Sills 650/345-5580.
Jan. 11 El Corte Madera Sat. 3-4/C. A moderate up and down loop hike through this little-used park. Have fun zig zagging with the
mountain bikes! Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Woodside P&R (no-host) or 8 a.m. at Skeggs Pt. Call leader if you have not hiked with the group before. Rain cancels. Leader: Patty Van Natta 650/365-6580 pvannatta@calco.com.
Jan. 12 Mine Hill Loop Sun. 4C. From the Mockingbird Hill Lane entrance to Alamaden Quicksilver Park we will do a partial loop of the park, including Mine Hill Peak. Directions: Hwy. 85 south to Almaden Expressway south, 4.5 miles to Alamaden Road, .5 mile to Mockingbird Lane, turn right and go .4 mile to parking lot. Meet at park at 9 a.m. or at carpool (Page Mill & I-280 P&R) at 8:30 a.m.. Leader: Edward Pease 408/998-4329 edwardp@elcon-inc.com.
Jan. 18 Murietta Falls Sat. 3-4D The east end of the Ohlone Trail. Definitely NOT cancelled by rain. Expect muddy, steep trails. Meet at
8 a.m. at the P&R at I-680 North Mission Blvd. near Mission San Jose. No-host carpool: 7:15 a.m. at Cubberley High (Middlefield &
Montrose) in Palo Alto. More details at
http://dhs.oakapple.net/future/murietta.html. Leader: David Hough
408/997-7763 hiker@oakapple.net.
Jan. 25 Mt. Diablo Eagle Peak Sat. 4E. Join us for a strenuous, fast hike around and up Diablo: about 16 miles, 4900 feet of elevation
gain, some steep trails. We'll start at Mitchell Canyon, go to Eagle Peak, and continue to the summit. Return route to be decided. Call
leader if you have not hiked with the group before. Carpool 7:30 a.m. at Mission Blvd. & I-680 P&R (across from McDonald's) or meet 8:30 a.m. at the Mitchell Canyon trailhead. Leaders: Nancy Fitzsimmons 408/957-9683 pkclimber@aol.com; Linda Sun 408/378-7533 LINDASUN@sbcglobal.net.
Family Outings
Family Outings sponsors some weekend activities that are not listed in this section.
If you are interested in adding your e-mail address to a distribution list to receive messages regarding late-breaking weekend outings, please send your e-mail address to Jo Ann Cobb at
jscobb@attbi.com or phone 650/693-9303.
Babes on Backs Thurs. 1A. On Thursdays, a
2-4 mile hike at a local park with children walking, in front or back packs, or in a jogging stroller. Leader: Sonya Bradski, 650/856-9366 or SonyanGary@juno.com.
More Babes on Backs Mon. 1A. On Mondays, a 2-4 mile hike at a local park with children in a back/front pack or jogging stroller. Please
note that there will be no hike on the second Monday of every month. Leader: Alison Hlady 408/481-9468, alisonhlady@yahoo.com.
Exploring Walkers 1A. Weekday afternoon hikes for four- to five-year-olds with a parent.
A 1-2 mile hike at a local park. Leader: Jo Ann Cobb 650/631-9303, jscobb@attbi.com.
Inner City Outings
ICO works with community agencies to provide outdoor activities to youth whose opportunities to participate is otherwise limited. Volunteers of all levels of commitment needed. Programs are with agencies throughout the Loma Prieta region. Mostly weekend trips include day hikes, backpacking, river rafting, and cross country skiing. Phone 408/236-3794.
Gay and Lesbian Sierrans
Visit the GLS Website at:
www.sierraclub.org/chapters/lomaprieta/gls/index.html.
Dec. 7 Sierra Azul Hike Sat. 3C2. Enjoy grassland, oak and madrone forests, and views of the canyons and valley in the shadow of Mt. Umunhum on this briskly paced hike. Bring sturdy boots, water, lunch, an extra layer and raingear. Storm cancels, rain does not. Meet
9 a.m. at Camden & Hwy. 85 P&R for carpooling. Leader: Rob Yang 408/930-4374 or hike@rhysw.com.
Dec. 14 Marin Headlands Hike Sat. 2B2. A beautiful loop hike in the Marin Headlands from Tennessee Valley to Green Gulch farm (over the Miwok Trail) to Muir Beach where we'll eat lunch, then head back to Tennessee Valley on the steep but spectacular Coastal Trail. Bring lunch, plenty of water, sun protection, money for car pooling. Woodside P&R at 8:30 a.m. Leader: Cathy Roberts cdrdash@attbi.com, 650/967-2026.
Peak Climbing
The Peak Climbing Section (PCS) is a group of mountain climbers who rally around the shared enjoyment of being in the mountains and the thrill of climbing. Climbs are usually in the Sierra and don't require technical rock climbing. The PCS meets on the second Tuesday of each month. We have a newsletter, Scree, that contains reports of past trips, announcements of future trips, and articles of interest. For a one-year subscription to Scree, send your name, address, phone numbers, e-mail address, and Sierra Club membership number to the PCS treasurer: Arun Mahajan, 1745 Alma Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301. Include a check made out to "PCS" for either $13 or $15 (the $15 includes an optional $2 donation to the PCS). To receive the PCS newsletter online, or to participate in discussions about climbing, send an e-mail to listserv@lists.sierraclub.org with the following text in the message body: "SUBSCRIBE lomap-pcs-announce yourfirstname yourlastname." Newsletters and other useful information about the PCS can be found on the web at lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/pcs.
Rock Climbing
Due to insurance changes, the RCS no longer has Sierra Club trips. Private trips are listed quarterly (or thereabouts) via e-mail. To get on the distribution list, please contact the current chair Hal Tompkins at 650/364-8603 or email tompkins@slac.stanford.edu.
San Mateo Hiking Section
The San Mateo Hiking Section offers moderate hikes three times a week. Hikes start at 10 a.m. unless otherwise specified. Write for our six-month, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday hike schedule. Send a SASE and a $3.50 check, payable to the San Mateo Hiking Section, Sierra Club, to: HIKES, P.O. Box 651, San Carlos, CA 94070. Info: Jocelyn Orr, Hikes Coordinator, 650/964-9028.
Dec. 7 **Foothills Park, Palo Alto. MUST call leader for reservation and carpool into park.
Carpool: Page Mill 9:30 a.m. Leader: Leif Schaumann 650/856-6130.
Dec. 14 Coal Mine Ridge in Portola Valley: Leader's Choice. Meet Alpine Rd and Willowbrook Drive, Portola Valley. Carpool: None. Leader: Sandy Cooperman 650/369-2004.
Dec. 21 **Baylands: Leader's Choice. Meet end of San Antonio Road at Terminal Blvd. Carpool: None. Leader Leif Schaumann 650/856-6130.
Jan. 4 Rancho San Antonio. Meet lower parking lot by restrooms. Carpool: Woodside 9:15 a.m. Leader: Pat Saffir 650/326-2429.
Jan. 11 Wunderlich Park. Meet Wunderlich parking lot off Woodside Rd. Carpool: Woodside 9:30 a.m. Leader: Nancy Welch 650/851-3800.
Jan. 18 Monte Bello Ridge. Meet Monte Bello parking lot on Page Mill Rd. Carpool: Woodside 9:15 a.m. Leader: Margaret Marshall 650/368-7385.
Singleaires
Singleaires are friendly, active, single people
40 and up who enjoy outdooor activities and conservation. Hikes are offered each Sunday (1A to 3C) followed by a potluck. For a one-time free schedule, send a business-sized SASE (57˘ postage) to Singleaires, P.O. Box 20952, Castro Valley, CA 94546. See our website: www.sierraclub.org/chapters/lomaprieta/SA or call 510/537-5280 for further information.
For a one year subscription send $12, a business sized SASE (57˘ postage), and proof of membership (Sierra Club newsletter or magazine label, or copy of membership card)
to the above address. Make checks payable to Sierra Singleaires.
Carpools:
- Los Gatos: Municipal Parking Lot. From Hwy 17 S take Los Gatos Saratoga (Hwy 9) exit
- Palo Alto: Park & Ride Lot. I-280 & Page Mill Road
- Woodside: Park & Ride Lot I-280 at Hwy 84
- San Mateo: Park & Ride Lot I-280 at Hwy 92
Sierra Singles
Sierra Singles are energetic, single adults, with typical ages from the 20's to 40's who enjoy hiking, biking, volleyball, backpacking, skiing, dancing, movies, rafting, potluck dinners, conversation, and much more. Our schedule lists 50-75 events each month. To receive a one year subscription, send $20 (along with proof of membership in the Sierra Club) to Sierra Singles, P.O. Box 391775, Mountain View, CA 94039. Nonmembers are welcome at our events on a trial basis. For a partial schedule visit us on the Web at lomaprieta. sierraclub.org/lpss or contact our hotline at 408/795-3237.
Dec. 8 Newcomer's Social Hike/Chat Sun. 2 p.m. Come enjoy this beautiful hike for our regulars to welcome visitors and new members. Tips: say hi to most people; learn their names and favorite interests; introduce them to others; and share the fine art of intergender palaver. We'll keep an easy pace through 4 miles of mostly flat trails, with some short hills (and perhaps a few dusty/muddy spots). Afterwards, we'll enjoy refreshments outside behind the very rustic Alpine Inn. Bring smiles, trusty shoes, and layered clothing. Also bring water and a hat, since the trail has little shade. Heavy rain cancels.Directions: From I-280 in Palo Alto, exit at Alpine Road and go west (toward the hills) for just over two miles. Turn left at Arastradero Road, then immediately turn right into the Alpine Inn parking lot. Park at the
far end, where we'll meet. (PLEASE: Do not park near the restaurant.) Leader: Clyde Lerner.
Co-leader: Thomas Hatfield, 650/224-1208 or tawmess@hotmail.com.
Jan. 12 Same as above (see Dec. 8 listing)
Ski Touring
The Ski Touring Section (STS) organizes cross-country ski trips to the Sierra and elsewhere. Meetings are the first Monday of each month, November through May. Membership at $5 per year entitles you to electronic distribution of our newsletter Track; $15 per year brings you
a hard copy. Send check payable to STS c/o Treasurer Jim Gibson, 826 Lana Ct., Campbell, CA 95008-6009.
Nordic Voice, the STS conservation committee, promotes the interests of back-country skiers through involvement in public access issues. For more information, see our website lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/sts or contact Dave Erskine, STS chair, 408/556-1090 or zeaphod@juno.com.
Loma Prieta Paddlers
Loma Prieta Paddlers share paddling interests (mostly whitewater kayaking), trips, practice, conservation. Meetings at 7:30 p.m., 2nd Wednesday of each month (except December) at Western Mountaineering, El Camino at San Tomas, Santa Clara. Steve Avery, Chair 650/966-8784. Trip schedule is posted to our website and List Server.
Weekly roll practice sessions have been suspended during the winter
months. New sessions will start in early in 2003 at a new location. For
further information contact Tom Musolf at Pool@Musolf.net.
Black Mountain Group
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 companionship, 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, contact bmg-request@cometric.com. Our schedule is at http://www.sierraclub.org/chapters/lomaprieta/bmg and includes links
to other Sierra Club groups.
Dec. 8 Portable Potluck Party Sun. 1A (~2 miles, elevation gain = a few doorsteps). Join
us for BMG's traditional perambulatory potluck, featuring short hikes between courses at different locations, and a good old time to celebrate the holidays! Meet at the trailhead at 5:30 p.m. (Libby's house) for appetizers. We'll hike through picturesque Palo Alto to Dick and Ann's, stopping for the main course, and make a loop back to Carol's for dessert. Bring liquids, appetizers or dessert to share. Call organizers
for directions. Rain does not cancel. Contacts: Libby Vincent: 650/424-8731 or Jacqui Burrows 650/857-1623.
Jan. 5 Sunol Sun. 3C (12 mi 2000 ft). Spectacular hike through scenic open space.
Get your picture taken with the "W" tree (not bush). Carpool 8:30 a.m. at Page Mill and
I-280 P&R or meet 9:15 a.m. at park headquarters (first parking lot on left). Bring lunch and liquids. Boots recommended. Heavy rain cancels. Leader: Carol Drummond 650/494-2509.
Jan. 11 Purisima Grand Loop. Sat. 2B (10 miles, 1600 ft). Come enjoy the winter magic on a moderately-paced hike to deep canyons with running streams, ferns, stately redwoods, firs and slugs, then ascend up on a series of switchbacks to the top, with spectacular views
of the forested preserve and the ocean beyond.
Bring lunch. Heavy rain cancels; call leader if in doubt. Directions: From Hwy 92 go south on Hwy 35 (Skyline Blvd) for 4.3 miles to parking area on right. Carpool at Page Mill and I-280 at 9:30 a.m. or meet at 10 a.m. at trailhead.
Leader: Ginny Laibl, 650/329-8363.
Jan. 18 Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve Sat. 3C (12 miles, 2200+ feet). Join us as we explore the steep, rugged terrain of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's largest, wildest preserve (located near Hwy. 17, south of Los Gatos). Enjoy a strenuous loop hike in the Kennedy-Limekiln area, with expansive views of coastal mountains and the South Bay from our lunch spot. 8 a.m. no-host carpool at Page Mill & I-280 P&R, or meet at 9 a.m. in the
Lexington Reservoir County Park parking lot on Alma Bridge Road (the second official parking lot on the right side of this road, just past the Priest Rock trailhead, about one mile east of Hwy. 17). Boots recommended. Bring lunch, snacks and liquids. No water along the trail. Heavy rain cancels. Leaders: Bill Young 650/712-9339; Jenny Maida 408/354-2196.
Jan. 25 Big Basin Sat. 3B (12 miles 2000 feet). A brisk hike to a favorite local spot, Berry Creek Falls. Heavy rain cancels. Carpool:
Page Mill P&R 8 a.m. or 9:15 a.m. at the Park Headquarters. Leader: Diane Medrano 650/964-0689.
Feb. 1-3 Snow Trip to Bradley Hut Sat-Mon. Three-day, two-night backpack to the Sierra
Club's Bradley Hut, which is about two miles north of Squaw Valley. Follow unplowed road five miles and 1,500 feet up on cross-country skis or snowshoes. Contact leader for more
information and application. Leader: Dick Simpson 650/494-9272.
Feb. 2 San Francisco City Hike Sat. 3B (12 miles,1500 feet). This is a restaurant lunch hike. Bring plenty of water and comfortable walking shoes. We will get our weekly dose of aerobic medicine by climbing some of SF's most beautiful hills, steep stairs, and vista points. Probably 10-12 miles. Be prepared for moderately paced, sweaty climbs. Carpool: no-host carpool Edgewood and I-280 P&R at 8:30 a.m. Trailhead: Fort Mason at 9:15 by Green's Restaurant. Leader: Cindy Lockhart 650/324-0384.
Guadalupe Regional Group
Guadalupe Regional Group includes mid- and south Santa Clara County and all of San Benito County, but all Sierra Club members are welcome. For a free copy of the monthly newsletter, The Guadalupan, ($6/year subscription) or info, call Group office, 408/554-0442 and leave name and address, or write Sierra Club/Guadalupe Group, P.O. Box 549, Santa Clara, CA 95052-0549. Group meets monthly on 3rd Thursday 7:30-9:30 p.m. for slide program and refreshments at Harker School in San Jose. Members and guests welcome at any meeting or hike. For meetings, BYOC (Bring Your Own Cup) and help reduce waste!
Rain may cancel hikes; call leader if questionable. For dog hikes, dogs must be well behaved--friendly, come on call, voice or leash control. Dogs are allowed off-leash on trails; on-leash in picnic areas, parking lots. Meeting and trip schedule below. For added trips, see
The Guadalupan, published first week each month, or call Marj Ottenberg 408/867-4576.
Dec. 1 Point Reyes National Seashore Sun. Moderate hike. Burn off Thanksgiving calories!
Bring lunch, liquid, layered clothes. For details, call leader, Teresa Nemeth, at 408/296-5821 after 9 p.m.
Dec. 2 Guadalupe ExCom Mon. 7:30 pm. Any member welcome. For site and agenda, call Marj at 408/867-4576.
Dec. 7 Guadalupe Group Holiday Party Sat. 7:30 p.m. Bring hors d'ouevres, a dessert or your favorite wine to share. We'll provide hot and cold beverages. At home of Sue and
Stan Bogosian, 20630 Lomita, Saratoga. For more info, call Marj at 408/867-4576.
Dec. 15 Off-leash Dog Hike Sun. Dogless hikers welcome. Bring lunch, liquid (for dog,
too), sunscreen & layered clothes, and meet at 9 a.m.; location to be announced. Call leader,
Marj Ottenberg, 408/867-4576, on Thurs. or later.
Dec. 21 Point Lobos State Park Sat. Easy hike, gentle pace. Look for/at otters, oystercatchers, etc. Meet at entrance station. For time, other info, call leader, Linda Barbosa, 408/778-7122.
Jan. 6 Group ExCom Mon. 7:30 pm. Any member welcome. For site and agenda, call Marj at 408/867-4576.
Jan. 16 National Parks of East Africa Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Slides from a one-month visit to
Kenya and Tanzania. Group meeting at Harker School (NE corner of I-280/Saratoga Ave.
intersection; enter driveway at stoplight, follow arrows to parking and classroom 24). Slide program, refreshments, chit-chat, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Members and guests welcome. BYOC: Bring Your Own Cup, reduce waste.
San Carlos/Belmont Regional Group
The San Carlos/Belmont Regional Group meets monthly (except July and August) usually on the 3rd Sunday. We emphasize rather easy hikes close to home and programs relevant to our two cities (with a few exceptions for variety). Visit our web site, home.att.net/~sierra.club/ or call and leave a message for Bob at 650/592-2166.
Pot Luck Meetings: Call the host to make your reservation and for the meeting location. Please bring your own table service and food (main dish, salad, or dessert) to serve about six. We customarily contribute $1 per drink serving at the social time to defray costs. Usually social time starts after 5:30, dinner at 6:00, business meeting and program from 7:00 until 9:00. Hikes: Call leader for meeting time & location.
Dec. 15 Wim de Wit (650/369-8416) will show us around Thornewood Open Space Preserve. Potluck at Dorothy Meyer's home in San Carlos (RSVP to 650/591-0064). Bring slides or other pictures to show.
Jan. 19 Bob Black (650/592-2166) will lead a hike to Los Trancos Open Space Preserve. Potluck at the home of Valeria Williams in San Carlos (RSVP to 650/593-6775).