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.
Varying Trail Conditions
March 2019
Category: Hiking
The Wrong Way to Horseshoe Lake
March 2019
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
March 2019
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
March 2019
A straightforward hike through intermittent rain with views of a nearby reservoir. And that’s about it.
The Camera, the Pack, and the River
February 2019
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
January 2019
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
December 2018
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
December 2018
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
October 2018
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
October 2018
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.