This may seem hard to believe, but I’ve had to dwell on some non-hiking-related issues of late that have seriously crimped my blogging lifestyle. With any luck this state of things will be clarified/resolved in the next couple weeks and I’ll be able to get back to more regular posts.
I will have to hike somewhere for an upcoming Mercury News column, so that’ll generate at least a few posts.
If there’s a glaring omission from my Park Profiles list, please drop a suggestion in the comments. I’m definitely looking for places best hiked in the mud/rain season.
what about: Robert L. Stevenson SP from Jane Huber’s Winter hike list:
http://www.bahiker.com/northbayhikes/rlssp.html
or more of Jane Huber’s Winter hikes:
http://www.bahiker.com/extras/best.html
I was wonderin’ about ya, old buddy!
Hope it’s nothing serious. At least you’ve been occupied during the worst weather of season thusfar. I didn’t attempt to do any hiking last weekend or I might be suggesting a tech article on gear cleaning and weatherizing.
Castle Rock State Park is always good after a rain. The Saratoga Gap/Ridge trail loop is all sandstone or sandy trails with no mud. You may find streams of water running along some spots on the trail, but plenty of rocks for hopping across. A short out and back to Castle Rock Falls is a great little hike for out-of-town visitors.
Likewise, Pinnacles National Monument is rock and sand, awesome scenery, and best visited when it’s not too hot.
Old San Pedro Road from either end (end of Higgins Way in Pacifica, or McNee Ranch State Park on Hwy 1) is also mud free, has great views, and lets you check on the Devil’s Slide tunnel construction on Hwy 1.