星期六, 9月 30, 2006

Pinnacles National Monument

Date: 09/30/06
Park: Pinnacles National Monument, Hollister, CA
Condition: Sunny and cool
Start time: About 12:00 PM
Length: About 5 Hours (around 5 miles)
Hiker: JC, Maria, Pak, Belinda
Trail: High Peak Loop, Condor Gulch, Moses Springs, Rim Trail
Trail Map: N/A
Pictures: http://jc-studios.smugmug.com/gallery/1956721
Views: We went to the East side again and we forgot to bring the map for Hollister. Mug wants to use that Google Mobile Search again. Uh oh.... It keeps on sending us directions. $0.10 per beep. Oh no... Actually, we did not get too far away from our right path. We got to a gas station, check the map and got back to the right track. When we got there, it was still a little bit cloudy. The sun peeked out towards the end of the hike. We got some nice pictures. We visited the Reservoir and it has plenty of ripples. The ripples are caused by frogs breathing under the water. We did not see any though. We pass though some caves towards the end and I fell and also hit my head. When we get back to the parking lot, I found I have blood on my pants. Anyway, it was just minor injury. We had a nice Italian Dinner at Gilroy and the waitress is very nice to us. A very good day.

星期六, 9月 16, 2006

Long Ridge

Date: 09/16/06
Park: Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, Woodside, CA
Condition: Sunny and nice
Start time: About 2:00 PM
Length: About 2-3 Hours (around 5 miles)
Hiker: JC, Maria, Alan and Meiling
Trail: http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/longridge.html
Trail Map: Map
Pictures: http://jc-studios.smugmug.com/gallery/1899521
Views: The trail is quite shady for the most part and the weather is good for hiking. There are layers and layers of mountains and evergreen trees grow everywhere. Redwoods and others. Several parts are quite steep and we need to rest along the climb. We saw an Elephant Idol beside the creek under the bridge. We wonder if it was some recent festival. We also walk by a pond overgrown by vegetation. We met a few mountain bikers a few times. Since the trail is not very long, less than 5 miles, next time we could extend the hike as suggested. We finished the hike pretty early and we drove down to highway 1 and visit the beach. We were very close to the waves. So cool. Somehow Maria asked me to bring a jacket when the weather is warm, I comply without hesistation (which is quite odd) and it became useful at the beach, I lend it to Meiling which is freezing. If they had all got enough clothes, I have been staying there to take more pictures. Anyway, this is good enough.

星期六, 9月 09, 2006

Stevens Creek Reservoir

Date: 09/09/06
Park: Stevens Creek Reservoir, Cupertino, CA
Condition: Sunny and quite hot
Start time: About 2:00 PM
Length: About 3 Hours (around 6 miles)
Hiker: JC, Maria, Shih-hsin, Cindy
Trail: http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/stevenscreek.html
Trail Map: N/A
Pictures: N/A
Views: JC is so exhausted that she skip taking pictures. The reservoir is calm and pretty as usual. We found out that we were parking illegally for the past few times we came inside the parking lot. Thank God we did not get any ticket. JC needs to work out more or rehabilitate to walk. Left hand and feet are still quite stiff and inmobile. Hopefully it is only ergonormic problems and will go away soon once JC figure out what is causing them.

星期一, 9月 04, 2006

Sweeney Ridge

Date: 09/06/06
Park: Sweeney Ridge Trail, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Pacifica, CA
Condition: Sunny with some fog
Start time: About 2:00 PM
Length: About 3 Hours (almost 6 miles)
Hiker: Jeffery, Grace, Grace's sister, Lucian, Monica, James, Edison, Andrew, Renata, Toby, Timmy, Andrew, Jen, Maria, Sarah, Yvonne, JC Allen, Christine, Kenny
Trail: http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/sweeney.html
Trail Map: Map
Pictures: http://jc-studios.smugmug.com/gallery/1855144
Views: A very nice day in Pacifica. There is a paranomic view around San Franciso. We saw views of Crystal Springs Reservoir, SFO, surrounding hills and the Pacific Ocean. We have 2 children with us and they finished the hike. Woohoo.... Good job!!! Plenty of Trees and some wild flowers. Plants everywhere. We stopped at the discovery site and view around with the binoculars. We trace a few Bay Area mountains there, Mission Peak, Mt Diablo. Hopefully it would be a clearer day next time for more mountain identification. Fog fell among us almost the end of the hike and it gets windy and cold.

星期六, 9月 02, 2006

Fall Creek Unit, Henry Cowell State Park

Date: 09/02/06
Park: Henry Cowell State Park, Felton, CA
Condition: Sunny
Start time: About 1:50 PM
Length: About 4 Hours (almost 7 miles)
Hiker: Pak, Sarah, Yvonne, JC and Maria
Trail: http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/fallcreek.html
Trail Map: N/A
Pictures: http://jc-studios.smugmug.com/gallery/1846235
Views: Plenty of redwood trees. Fall Creek and plenty of small waterfalls. Lots of fallen trees and exposed roots. Part of the trails are quite wet and muddy. JC is careful not to get overheat because parts of the trail are steep ascend. We were getting hungry after a while and Yvonne has granola bars so that we could regain some energy. Sarah, Yvonne, JC and Pak took some pictures. This is a nice shady trail for the summer. If the breeze is stronger, then it would be perfect.