I didn’t expect this newly-opened preserve, an easy drive from San Jose, to have up to 40,000 hikers.
Tag: first visit
Calories Up, Caution Down
What started as a cloudy day turned mostly clear as I hiked to the top of Mission Peak Regional Preserve.
A Lonely Highway
In May I walked down an old section of Highway 1 that’s set aside for pedestrians and cyclists. Meandering a mile and a half down the highway provides plenty of hazy ocean views, geology lessons, steady wind, and the graffitied remains of a World War II-era bunker.
During a long weekend I ventured to a state beach to see a shipwreck, one of my favorite state forests, and improvised a trip along Highway 1 to parts unknown.
Floating on the Wind
Ed Levin County Park provided many views, not always on the ground. Paragliders and sweeping Bay Area views made this a memorable hike.
Varying Trail Conditions
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.
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.