Upcoming GLS Outings
All participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver. For more information about any of the following outings, contact the listed leader or our Outings Chair. You can check back on this page for any last minute updates, and join our electronic listserv. Hikes are rated for elevation gain, distance and terrain. The Wild Side newsletter lists full contact information for all events. We do not list phone numbers or addresses online.
November | December | January | March
November 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009, 7-10 pm
Game Night
Rating: Fun
Enjoy a late fall evening socializing and playing board and card games (poker or Hearts, anyone?) in Palo Alto. Bring a game if you can, drinks, and a snack to share to Meg's bungalow in North Palo Alto, 7- 10:30 PM, email for directions.
LEADERS:
Sunday, November 8
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve Hike
Rating: 2B
This moderately strenuous hike is for people in good physical shape. This 7 mile loop hike starts from Higgins Purisima Creek Parking lot. We will take Purisima Creek trail that follows Purisima Creek upstream. We will then take Solda Gulch and Harkins Ridge trails to complete our loop. Total elevation gain on this hike is around 1150 feet. At the hike conclusion, for those interested, we will optionally drive to nearby Pascadero Bakery for a post-hike picnic to enjoy their famous artichoke bread. Rain cancels.
Bring your lunch, water, layers, and sturdy hiking shoes. Sorry, no dogs allowed. San Francisco folks interested in carpooling can meet at Starbucks under the Safeway sign at Market & Dolores at 8:15am for a prompt departure at 8:30am. You can also meet us at the trail head around 9:30am.
Directions: From San Francisco, take Highway 1 South and then turn left on Higgins-Purisima Rd (aka Higgins Canyon Rd ). Drive 4.5 miles on this narrow, winding road to the trailhead on the left side of road (just past the tiny white bridge).
LEADERS:
Sunday Nov 15, 9am-3pm
FALL CREEK HIKE
Rating 2B2
Please join Tina and Sunshine for the lesser known park in the Santa Cruz mountians. Fall Creek is always beautiful no matter what time of year. We will be hiking under the redwoods and big Oaks along Fall Creek Trail to Big Ben Trail and returning via Lost Empire Trail - Fall Creek Trail for about a 7 mile loop with about 1600 elevation gain. Bring a lunch, water, and clothing layers as it can get chilly and damp this time of year. Meet at the Santa Cruz government buildings parking lot at the corner of Ocean and Water Street in Santa Cruz at 9am or trail head at 9:30am. Light rain is ok but heavy rain cancels this hike
LEADERS:
Sunday, November 22
Tomales Point – Point Reyes National Seashore Hike
Rating: 2B
This 9 mile hike offers many pleasures along the stunning Tomales Point Peninsula - Tule elk roam free, and many varieties of birds can be spotted along the coast. Panoramas of the distant Marin Coast and unusual formations along the peninsula likewise are a crowd-pleaser. Total elevation gain on this hike is around 900 feet. At the hike conclusion, we may add a short extension down to McClure's Beach.
Bring water, snacks, lunch and sturdy hiking shoes. This hike can be very windy so dress in layers and bring a wind breaker. Sorry, dogs are prohibited here. Rain cancels this hike.
San Francisco folks interested in carpooling can meet at Starbucks under the Safeway sign at Market & Dolores at 8:15am for a prompt departure at 8:30am. You can also meet us at the trail head around 10:00am.
Driving directions: From US 101 in Marin County, exit Sir Francis Drake/San Anselmo. Drive west on Sir Francis Drake Road about 20 miles, to the junction with CA 1, turn right, drive 0.1 mile, and then turn left onto Bear Valley Road. After about 2 miles, Bear Valley Road ends at Sir Francis Drake Blvd; turn left. Continue on Sir Francis Drake Blvd about 5.5 miles, then turn right onto Pierce Point Road. Drive about 9 miles on Pierce Point Road to the signed Tomales Point Trailhead, a short distance from McClures Beach, at the end of the road.
LEADERS:
Sunday, November 29, 9:30am to 4pm
ALUM ROCK PARK / BAY RIDGE TRAIL
Rating: 2B2 (8 mi/1900 ft)
Come explore the oldest city park in California, founded in 1872, which is nestled within Alum Rock Canyon in the foothills of the Diablo Range. From 1890 to 1932, this San Jose park was a nationally-known health spa with 27 mineral springs. Evidence of a past trolley line remains. We will first hike along the North Rim Trail until we reach the trailhead of the Boccardo Trail. This trail, on land acquired by the Santa Clara County Open Space District Authority, is a link in the Bay Area Ridge Trail project (www.ridgetrail.org) , whose aim is to develop a trail system that circles the Bay Area. Boccardo Trail rises 1,100 feet to a grassy knoll and provides spectacular views of Santa Clara Valley \ and beyond! Upon our descent, we will rejoin the North Rim Trail and hike down to the canyon floor. There we will explore the ruins of the old spa along Penitencia Creek as we wend our way back to the parking area along the creek. To carpool from the Tamien Park-and-Ride at 9:30am in San Jose first contact Ron; otherwise, join the group at the park entrance (in the parking lot) on Penitencia Creek Road by10am. For directions,go to www.sjparks.org. Bring water, lunch, and weather-appropriate clothes. Rain cancels.
LEADER:
December 2009
Saturday, December 5, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Wunderlich Park Hike
Rating: 1A1
Join us for a 5 mile hike in Wunderlich Park in Woodside. We will hike a loop up to the Meadows and then back,enjoying sheltering trees and some views along the way. We will stop for a snack (the hike will end before lunch time) so bring something to munch, water, layered clothing in case it is chilly. Meet at 9 AM at Woodside Park and Ride to carpool (be aware that Wunderlich parking can fill on weekends if you meet us there). Steady rain cancels- call leader by 8:15 AM if you are not sure of the weather in Woodside.
LEADERS:
Sunday, December 6, 10:30 AM to 4 PM
General Meeting and Potluck and Gift Recycle
Sanborn Hostel
Rating: varied & fun!
1. Food: We’re having our annual holiday party at the Sanborn Hostel. Bring a dish to share for the potluck. The hostel has a complete kitchen, so you can heat things up once you’re there. There’s also plenty of plates, silverware and serving utensils.
2. Gifts: Bring a gift you’ve received that just doesn’t work for you. Wrap it up and we’ll have a recycled gift exchange.
3. Hikes: Depending on the weather and our mood, there are plenty of potential hikes. There’s a nice 1 mile loop. We can also hike all the way up to the Skyline ridge for some more strenuous exercise. Another option is to wander up the trail until we get hungry, and then turn around. We’ll do whatever folks are in the mood for.
4. Membership meeting: This is where the election committee announces the results of the GOVCOM election. We also get a summary of how things are going for our club.
5. Time: If you want the longer hike, show up at 10am. The potluck will begin around noon. Gift exchange at 1:30pm. Overall social, sit by the fire, eat yummy food and have a good time is from 12-4pm.
Directions
From Freeway 101:
Take 85 to Saratoga Ave. exit. Then Saratoga Avenue south to Saratoga Village ("downtown"). Go through town and continue on Highway 9 for 2 miles (3.2 km) past Village turn left on Sanborn Road, follow signs to hostel.
LEADERS:
Saturday, December 12th, 2009 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Montara Mountain
Rating: 2B2 (8 miles, just under 2,000 feet up)
On a clear day (pray for it!), the views on the trail up to Montara (just above Pacifica) are stunning, with panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean, Pacifica, Mount Tamalpais…. The only challenge will be finding a comfortable spot to have lunch. We’ll meet at Tamien Park and Ride at 9 am, or at the trailhead at 9:50. (For carpooling possibilities from Santa Cruz, email Dave a day or so ahead of time.) Bring lunch, plenty of liquids, jacket, hat, sunglasses, chocolate to keep Dave from telling too many jokes, sturdy boots and a smile. Rain cancels all but the smiles.
LEADERS:
Sunday Dec 13, 9am-2pm
Henry Cowell State Park Hike
Rating easy 2B2
If you have not been to the Henry Cowell Redwoods, you are in for a treat. We will first experience the magnificent Redwood Grove then continue on to the River Creek Trail for a loop hike. This hike is about 6 miles with about 800 to 1000 elevation gain. Bring a lunch, water, and clothing layers as it can get chilly and damp this time of year. Meet at the Santa Cruz government buildings parking lot at the corner of Ocean and Water Street in Santa Cruz at 9am or trail head at 9:30am. Light rain is ok but heavy rain cancels this hike. For car pooling from the San Jose area meet at the Los Gatos city parking lot at 8:15 a.m.
LEADERS:
Sunday, December 20, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Santa Teresa County Park Hike
Rating: 2B2
Join us for an easy going hike around Santa Teresa County Park in south San Jose. We'll hike on several trails in the park for roughly 6.5 miles and an elevation gain around 1300 feet. On our hike we'll climb up to Coyote Peak for some nice views and make our way past the Santa Teresa Golf course and enjoy the Rock Ridge trail where we'll escape the views of Silicon Valley for a little bit. Bring sun protection, plenty of water, a lunch, and cash for the park entrance fee. Rain cancels the hike. Meet at the Cottle Road park-n-ride at 10:00 a.m. for car pooling. Call the leader if you wish to meet at the trail head.
LEADERS:
January 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Mission Peak New Years Day Hike
Rating: 2C2
Start the new year off with a GLS tradition, Mission Peak on New Year’s Day. Mission Peak overlooks Fremont and the South Bay with great views on a clear day including Mount Hamilton to the south, the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west, Mt. Tamalpais to the north, and Mt. Diablo and the Sierra Nevada to the northeast. Wildlife includes turkey vultures, hawks, wild turkeys, deer and cows.
We'll be doing a loop hike, going up the Horse Heaven trail, which is far less crowded than the more direct Hidden Valley trail which will be our descent route. Horse Heaven is a little longer, but not as steep. It can be quite muddy in places, especially if there has been recent rain. The total distance for the loop is between 5.5 and 6 miles with an elevation gain of about 2300 feet. The way up is a combination of fire road and trail, the descent mostly fire road. The summit area is steep and rocky with little wind protection.
While hiking up, you’ll generate plenty of heat, so dress in layers. The top is almost always windy and cold, no matter how nice it is at the base. Bring layers to keep warm, especially a wind layer for the summit, a warm hat, plenty of water, sunscreen, sturdy boots, snacks and a lunch. Optional items include a thermos with something hot to drink, binoculars, trekking poles, and a camera to document your accomplishment. Rain cancels. Muddy conditions may force us to change our route.
Carpool: Tamien Park and Ride, San Jose at 9:45 a.m. Tamien Light Rail Park and Ride is located about a mile southwest of downtown San Jose. It is well serviced by Light Rail, CalTrain and Santa Clara County bus connections. To get there by car, take Highway 87 (Guadalupe Expressway) going South, get off at the Alma exit. Turn left after you exit and the Park-and-Ride will be on your immediate left. Or meet at the Stanford Ave trailhead off of Mission Blvd. Carpooling is encouraged due to limited parking at the trailhead.
LEADERS:
March 2010
Friday-Monday, March 5-8, 2010
Death Valley Camping Trip
Ratings: Varied
Join Loma Prieta GLS for our thirteenth annual Death Valley Campout. We have reserved a group campsite at Furnace Creek and can accommodate up to 25 campers.
Death Valley offers countless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Hike Golden Canyon, climb a peak, explore old mining sites, take a starlight stroll through the dunes or just hang out at the pool. We plan to offer a variety of hikes from easy to strenuous.
The cost for three nights of camping is just $30. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.
Members of all GLS chapters are invited to join us. Certified hike leaders from any GLS chapter are welcome to lead or co-lead hikes.
SIGN-UPS begin NOVEMBER 15th
Contact Tina Schiffman to sign up.
LEADERS: