Calero County Park is a good local getaway for easy, somewhat scenic, hilly day hikes. The trails range from wide to narrow, dry to wet, and from grand views to cozy forests.
Category: Hiking
The Wrong Way to Horseshoe Lake
Seeking a good view, I found the wrong entrance to Skyline Ridge. Even better, I took a wrong turn that lead the right way. But the view was worth getting mixed up.
Spring Greets the Northern Redwoods
The first decently-warm weather of the season drew me to a redwoods preserve just south of San Francisco, within sight of the Pacific Ocean.
Well, That Was a Short Hike
A straightforward hike through intermittent rain with views of a nearby reservoir. And that’s about it.
The Camera, the Pack, and the River
After weeks of rain, I took a through a city park that was decidedly un-urban. I brought a GoPro camera, with mixed results.
The Squishy Trail to Windy Hill
My muddiest hike to date climbed more than a thousand feet to one of those worth-the-walk views after weeks of air-washing rain. If you’re take on such a hike, go with a friend.
All Was Quiet
The weekend before Christmas, I took a short hike east of the Lexington Reservoir. The sky was overcast; the mood was peaceful.
Big Sky in the South Bay
An easy walk to a radio telescope made for a pleasant evening in Palo Alto. The most impressive sight turned out to be all around.
A Sacred Site and a Cold War Relic
On a warm October morning, I made the scenic — and surprisingly mild — hike up Mt. Umunhum. This sacred mountain is also the home of an enormous Cold War-era radar tower visible from San Jose and beyond.
A New Angle on Coastal Redwoods
The weather gave me more than I expected when I took my new wide-angle lens to photograph some of the largest trees in the world.