Monthly Archives: May 2015

Grouse Lakes Basin: Carr Lake Loop

Posted on May 31, 2015 by trailhiker

Carr Lake is one of numerous lakes in the Grouse Ridge / Grouse Lakes Basin area in Nevada County north of I-80 and/or CA-20. The area is accessed via Bowman Lake Rd and National Forest Rd 17, followed by 4 … Continue reading →

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Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park: Loop to Bernal Park

Posted on May 27, 2015 by trailhiker

For an initial visit to Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, this was an ideal semi-loop hike. Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park is a currently largely undeveloped open space just west of Pleasanton, including the upper portion of Pleasanton Ridge. There is only … Continue reading →

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Mt Diablo State Park: Mitchell Creek – Eagle Peak Loop

Posted on May 26, 2015 by trailhiker

Mt Diablo State Park is a large (20,000 acres, or about 31 square miles) park whose centerpiece is 3849-foot Mt Diablo. Someday I will try to hike all the way to the top, a 14-mile round trip hike, but this … Continue reading →

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Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve: Dusky-footed Woodrat Trail Loop

Posted on May 19, 2015 by trailhiker

At just 366 acres, Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve is one of the smaller open spaces in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. It is located in the hills above San Carlos and Redwood City and provides a wooded retreat … Continue reading →

Posted in Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, San Mateo County, wildflower hikes | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Santa Teresa County Park: Stile Ranch and Fortini Trails

Posted on May 17, 2015 by trailhiker

This spring I seem to be doing some short hikes with specific purposes, generally to try to find a particular wildflower. This time I went to Santa Teresa County Park south of San Jose hoping to see some most beautiful … Continue reading →

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Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve: Mindego Hill Trail and Ancient Oaks Trail extension

Posted on May 11, 2015 by trailhiker

On the occasion of a trail opening I made a return visit to Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. The new section of trail is a 1-mile extension of the Ancient Oaks Trail down the hill to the new (2014) Mindego … Continue reading →

Posted in Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, San Mateo County, wildflower hikes | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve: Bald Mountain and Mt Umunhum Area

Posted on May 6, 2015 by trailhiker

The Bald Mountain staging area in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve opened relatively recently, in 2014, and facilitates trail exploration near Mt Umunhum. This hike was a first-time visit to the area and featured spectacular views and a nice variety … Continue reading →

Posted in Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Santa Clara County, South Bay, wildflower hikes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments