(Insert standard apology to non-local readers).
I’m always most interested in another get-together within 24 hours of finishing the previous one. I realize I should follow the example of firearms regulators and impose a five-day cooling off period before planning another group hike, but hey, if I had any common sense I wouldn’t be a blogger.
This time I’m gonna let the rest of you earn your keep around here and suggest a place to go, and a date. My my job schedule has changed so now I have Sundays and Mondays off, so those would be the best days.
Lemme know what you think, but don’t fret if you can’t think of anything or would prefer that the wild creatures of the forest not see you in the presence of yours truly. I have fun on solo hikes, too.
Sorry I missed the New Years Day hike, Tom. I’ll try to not let it happen again!
A few ideas for the next hike:
This may be even crazier than my “dawn on Mission Peak” suggestion, but a couple years ago some friends and I did a long hike from Almaden Quicksilver County Park all the way to downtown Los Gatos. It is a full day hike, and would involve some car shuttle logistics, but it does have the advantage of ending in a town with good places to each and drink.
As a long-time Almaden Quicksilver hiker, I could also propose any number of slightly to much shorter routes within that park. Almaden Quicksilver has some special attractions: not too far from suburbia, interesting historical mining artifacts and sites, beautiful winter and early spring-time greenery.
Another hike that I like goes from Sanborn Park up to the ridge of the Santa Cruz Mountains and then traverses to Castle Rock. It is a good climb – seemingly a requirement for these hikes.
Dan
Personally, Tom, I think a snow trip is in order. Bear Valley or Pinecrest can both be done in a long day. Bear Valley is much better for a first-time beginner.
I think it’s time you gave cross-country skiing a try. It’s a little like hiking with some aspects of bicycling thrown in.
Otherwise, as for local hikes, Sunol to Fremont via. Mission Peak is a nice day hike I haven’t done since last spring.
I second Dan’s motion for Sanborn to Skyline – been wanting to do that climb for awhile. Would choosing January 14th or 21st make for a too-cool cooling-off period?
Since we have a second, I’ll go with Sanborn to Skyline — I’ve never done that trail.
Either of the dates Russ mentioned is OK with me. Or some other date.
Gonna take me some more time to work up to cross-country skiing, I suspsect. I just drove myself to the mountains in winter for the first time since I’ve been in California (7-plus years); the whole “playing in the snow” thing doesn’t come naturally to me.
I usually hike on Saturdays so I can get my chores done on Sunday before going to work on Monday but if you do the hike on the 14th, I might try to join in since I believe I get Monday the 15th off as a holiday. And the Sanborn to Skyline hike sounds good as I have never done that.
Hmm, that sounds like a second vote for Sunday the 14th.
Any objections?