Join me for an aerobic and beauty appreciation hike in the closest-to-wilderness place I know of around these parts. Formerly, and still, an equestrian riding area, Teague Hill includes primitive trails, an absence of trail names or signs, but beautiful and mostly untouched forest and flora. I'll do my best to come up with a route that we haven't done recently, and we will plan on doing 5-7 miles, with 1500-2000 feet of cumulative elevation gain. This is NOT an easy hike, and I would like to go at a reasonably brisk pace so please come only if you are in reasonably good shape. Bring lunch, plenty of liquid and a sense of adventure - as with the fallen trees across quite a few trails we experienced last month - there often seems to be something new or different. Layered clothing is recommended as well as footwear with good deep tread. We will meet in the parking lot of the Woodside Elementary School NEXT TO THE TENNIS COURTS. From 280, take the Woodside Road exit, and then take Woodside Road to and then through Woodside for 1.2 miles. The school will be on you left soon after the firehouse. Turn into the parking lot right next to the tennis courts, not anywhere else. If for any reason this parking lot is full or inaccessible, we will meet in the parking lot of the Woodside Town Hall that is back 0.6 mile (0.6 mile from 280). Apparently there is no public transportation into Woodside, so I would like to offer a ride to anyone who can't or doesn't want to drive. I will be leaving from De Anza College at 10:20 AM or we could possibly negotiate another pick-up point where there is public transit. Call or email me to arrange either. There are usually no restrooms open at the Woodside School, and definitely none in Teague Hill. Heavy rain or threat of cancels. Event covers 5-7 miles, with 1500-2000 feet of elevation. Meeting location: Woodside Elementary School NEXT TO TENNIS COURTS Leader: Craig Keith, 408/227-0196, [email protected]
Sun, Feb 04 * 10am
Gazos Creek Hike
Leave your TV off and come walk along the beach instead! If we can find the secret route, we'll hike 6-7 miles, mostly on sand, watching squadrons of pelicans flying north, and quite possibly encountering stray elephant seals. After the hike, we may stop in Pescadero for hot drinks or an early dinner. Bring: extra layers, comfortable walking shoes that can get sandy and/or wet, lunch, water, and money for carpool and optional eatery stop. Heavy rain cancels. Event covers 6-7 miles, with 100 feet of elevation. Meeting location: #6 Page Mill Park 'N Ride Lot, Page Mill and Arastradero in Palo Alto Leader: Eric Wilner, 408/744-1845, [email protected]
Sun, Feb 04 * 10:15am
Bear Valley to Arch Rock
Social ten mile hike to Arch Rock from Bear Valley Visitor Center. We will skirt Mt Whittenberg while crossing the fault on the return. rain or shine. Event covers 10 miles, with 1500 feet of elevation. Meeting location: Hillcrest Blvd and Skyline Blvd in Millbrae, meet at Chevron Station. Take Millbrae Av exit from Hwy 280 and go straight one block. Leader: John Ferreira, 650/6976304, [email protected]
Sun, Feb 04 * 2:45pm
Super Bowl Party
This event was a winner last year, so join me again this year. Come enjoy this annual American tradition in the company of your SS buddies and witness it on a large screen TV (dinosaur version). Bring some munchies or side dish to share with everyone. Hope to put out enough food to keep everyone happy throughout the BIG EVENT. So, it's ok to bring buckets of snacks, soft drinks, side dishes, chicken, prime rib and I'll put it out on the table. Rain does not cancel as Football players get down and dirty in all weather. You may wish to bring warm socks as this will be a 'leave your shoes at the door' event. Meeting location: My House..1237 Rembrandt Dr Sunnyvale 94087(Yahoo it!) Leader: Jack Borok, 408/245-7476, [email protected]
Sun, Feb 04 * 7pm
Sunday Dinner at Sonoma Chicken Coop
Sonoma Chicken Coop describes itself as ‘a new concept in dining inexpensive elegance serving housemade bread, elegant entrees, salads and desserts.’ It has a nice selection of salads, items from the grill and rotisserie, pizza, foccacia sandwiches, pastas and desserts. They have a special room just at the top of the stairs on the 2nd floor called the Orchard Room that has been reserved for our select crowd. An average dinner and soft drink should cost between $10 and $15. For complete information on the restaurant (menu, directions etc) visit www.sonomachickencoop.com. Rain doesn’t cancel. No need to call and reserve, just come and enjoy. Restaurant is at the SW corner of Campbell Ave and S 2nd St in Campbell. To yahoo it, put in 200 East Campbell Ave in Campbell zip 95008. Meeting location: Restaurant Leader: Jack Borok, [email protected]; Margo Raff, [email protected]
Mon, Feb 05 * 7:30pm - 10pm
Volleyball in San Mateo
(Also February 12th, & 26th)
If you're interested in playing volleyball by the rules, this is the event for you! Join us in the joys of teamwork, camaraderie and good times with 3 courts available for varying levels of skill. Sign ups start at 7:30, first come, first serve, so get there early. Warm ups start at 7:30, games begin at 8:00pm and continue until 10:00. Players are charged $5 for gym rental. Afterwards, join us for pizza and drinks. Directions: Take Hwy 92 (West from 101, East from 280) to the Alameda de las Pulgas exit. Go North on Alameda de las Pulgas for 0.5 mile to the Aragon High School parking lot. There is a path next to the newly constructed building, proceed between the buildings approx. 50 yards and enter the building on you right, turn left and you should hear the sounds of the volleyballs emanating from the girl's gym. For further parking and access info updates due to the school reconstruction, please doublecheck at http://pvander.best.vwh.net/mn-vball.html Meeting location: Aragon High School girl's gym Leader: Doug Baitinger, 650/345-3192, [email protected]; Pete Vanderbilt, 650/604-0170, [email protected]
Wed, Feb 07 * 6:15pm
Wednesday Walkers-Stanford Campus
This will be the last month of the Wednesday Walkers for a while, Daylight Savings starts next month! This is just one of a series of 4 or 5 hikes on Wednesdays starting from California and Ash in Palo Alto. All will be fast-paced cardio hikes of about 5 miles. We will definitely not be a strolling or sauntering. Tonight, we will be starting from the parking lot off Ash going up into the Residential area off Hanover and doing an out and back on the campus past the Carved Forest, the Rodin Sculpture Garden and the Cactus Garden. Most of the hike will be on the footpaths within the residential area, so hiking boots are not required. Optional dinner stop after hike at Med-Wraps. Bring: layers and a flashlight. Directions: From 280, take the Page Mill exit East. Turn Left on El Camino Real. Turn right on California, go one block to Ash. Turn right on Ash. Park in lot on your left. Meet on Ash side. Light Rain will not cancel. Heavy rain will give us an excuse to go to an early dinner. Event covers 5 miles. Meeting location: Parking Lot off Ash between California and Jacaranda Light Rain will not cancel. Heavy rain will give us an excuse to go to an early dinner. Event covers 5 miles. Meeting location: Parking Lot on Ash, look for us under a light. Leader: Barbara Muir, 650/888-0576, [email protected]
Sat, Feb 10 � 10am
Sierra Azul Habitat Restoration
with Barbara Muir Please RSVP by 2/2
Take some time to say "thank you" to the
Mid Peninsula Open Space District
(MROSD) for letting us hike in the wonderful
parks by giving something back. Come
join the MROSD Preserve Partners for a
combo project at one of the parks that
may be new to you. We will be doingsome
habitat restoration along the Woods Trail
and a little Fence Construction along Mt.
Umunhum Rd. We see great views, too.
You are welcome to work at your own
pace and skill level. MROSD personnel will
provide tools, instruction and gloves.
WEAR: long pants, long sleeves and heavy
shoes (hiking boots are excellent!)
BRING: Water, layers and lunch.
MEET: We will be meeting at the Jacques
Ridge Parking lot off Hicks Rd and Mt Um
Rd. Jacques Ridge Parking lot off Hicks Rd
and Mt Um Rd. See map at
http://www.openspace.org/preserves/ma
ps/sierra_azul_map.pdf. Driving directions
provided as we get closer to the date.
Leader: Barbara Muir, 650-888-0576 (cell)
[email protected],
For More Info on Sierra Azul:
http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/sierraazul/sierraazul.html
http://www.openspace.org/preserves/pr_sierra_azul.asp
Fri - Sun, Feb 9 -11
Gooseberry Cross Country Ski Trip
(Advanced Beginner/Intermediate)
This trip is designed to challenge the advanced beginner or intermediate cross-country skier. We will start at the Gooseberry Trailhead and climb about 2,000 feet to the "Knob". As we go, we'll be rewarded with a beautiful and striking view of the Emigrant Wilderness. Maybe we'll get a look at Cleo's Baths, all snowed in. Once we get to the knob, we'll break to take in the beautiful views. At this point we have a choice to ski down groomed trail or to take the trail to Crabtree. There, you will view across the Emigrant Wilderness and into Yosemite where you can see (with binoculars) half-dome and other familiar peaks. Upon returning to the cabin, we can soak tired bones in the hot tub as we watch snowflakes descend to earth. On Sunday, we'll take Frasier Flat route down the south side of Strawberry ridge through the woods down to the bottom. Returning, we will follow the South Fork of the Stanislaus up to Strawberry. No X-C equipment? It can be rented up there. Ninety dollars covers two nights accommodations; two breakfasts and two lunch fix'ins and one dinner. Please send your check made out to Sierra Singles to Joe Schmidt 3336-2 Brittan Avenue, San Carlos, CA 94070-3413. I would be happy to answer any questions. This event may be co-listed with other groups such as the Ski Touring Section and Bay Chapter. Rain is welcome and doesn't cancel ... think snow! Event covers 4 miles, with 500 feet of elevation. Meeting location: Lucille's Cabin in the Sonora Pass Area (for location, go to Google and enter "Lucille's Cabin". For the area, go to www.thegreatunfenced.com Leader: Joe Schmidt, 650/592 1458, [email protected] Pray for rain here; snow there. Event covers 10 miles, with 2,000 feet of elevation. Meeting location: Lucille's Cabin in the Sonora Pass Recreation Area Leader: Joe Schmidt, 650/592 1458, [email protected]
Mon, Feb 12 * 7:30pm - 10pm
Volleyball in San Mateo
Please see description for February 5th. Meeting location: Aragon High School girl's gym Leader: Doug Baitinger, 650/345-3192, [email protected]; Pete Vanderbilt, 650/604-0170, [email protected]
Wed, Feb 14 * 6:15pm
Wednesday Walkers
Gunn High School and Beyond
Come join us for a bit of mid-week cardio exercise. This hike will be starting from the parking lot near California and Ash in Palo Alto, and go up along the bike path to Gunn High School. From there, we will cross Arastradero and go to Los Altos and back. This will be a fast-paced aerobic hike of about 5 miles. Optional post-hike dinner at Med-Wraps. Directions: From 280, take the Page Mill exit East. Turn Left on El Camino Real. Turn right on California, go one block to Ash. Right on Ash. Parking lot is in middle of block on your left. Look for us on the Ash side of the parking lot. Rain will cancel hike, but will give us an excuse for an early dinner. Event covers 5 miles, with 400 feet of elevation. Meeting location: Parking Lot off Ash between California and Jacaranda in Palo Alto Leader: Barbara Muir, 650/888-0576, [email protected]
Sat, Feb 17 * 3:30pm
Crystal Springs Newcomer's Hike
After a long hiatus, we are again having a Newcomer's Hike. If you are new to LPSS, this is a chance to get to meet people and see what events you might like. If you are experienced, share what you know and meet the new folks. This is a great hike for meeting and socializing, followed by good, cheap food and live music. What could be better? We will meet at Sawyer Camp Trail, which runs along Crystal Springs Reservoir in San Mateo at 3:00pm, 3:15pm actual departure. This trail is wide, flat and paved, which facilitates conversation. I lead walks at a pace more suited to enjoying the wonderful views, looking for wildlife, and enjoying conversation than to getting aerobic exercise. We will walk for about ninety minutes (about 4 miles). Children are welcome. After the walk, we deserve some tasty calories, so we will go to Micha's, at 1754 Laurel in San Carlos. Micha's features home cooking, lots of BBQ, and reasonable prices. They have live music, usually jazz or blues starting at 7pm. Vegetarians will like the portabella sandwich. You are welcome to bring beer or wine, and they have a low corkage fee. Feel free to bring a bottle of wine to share. It's a friendly place! Please bring cash to pay for your meal. Directions: Sawyer Camp Trail, which starts where Crystal Springs Road intersects Skyline Blvd. Parking is on the street in the immediate vicinity of the trailhead. This is accessed from Hwy 280 by taking the 'Bunker Hill Drive' exit. This exit is one exit North of where Hwy 92 crosses 280. FROM THE SOUTH: take the Bunker Hill Drive. exit off 280 and go left at the stop sign. This will take you over the freeway overpass. At the next stop sign, go right, and follow this road down the hill (~1 mile) until you get to the trail head, which will be a large iron gate on your left. FROM THE NORTH: take the Bunker Hill Drive, Hwy 35, Hwy 92 W exit (all one exit), off 280 and take the first right after you get off the freeway. Follow this road down the hill to the trailhead, as described above. Please leave yourself some extra time to locate the trailhead so you won't miss the group! Meet between the two benches that are just past the restroom at the start of the trail. The trail is accessed by walking past the large iron gate at the trailhead. The restroom is just past the iron gate, and will be on your left, as will the benches. (There are actually 2 entrances to this trail, so this meeting spot will make sure we catch everyone. Don't look for us at the iron gate -- we'll be inside, a few yards along the beginning of the trail. No RSVP, but for information contact Peter Andree (650)400-4071 or [email protected]
Wed, Feb 21 * 6:15pm
Wednesday Walkers
Downtown Loop-Palo Alto
Come get a little mid-week cardio exercise. Tonight we will hike starting at the parking lot between California and Ash in "old downtown" Palo Alto, go towards the train station to California and wind our way thru the city streets to "new downtown" or University Avenue and back. This will be a fast-paced, get-your-heart-rate-up 5-mile hike. We will definitely not be strolling. Optional post-hike dinner at Med-Wraps. Directions: from 280 Take Page Mill Exit East to El Camino Real. Take a left on El Camino Real. Right on California. to Ash. From 101: Take the Oregon Expressway West to El Camino Real. Make a right at El Camino Real and a right on California. Ash is your first street on the right. There is a large parking lot on Ash. Rain cancels hike, but will give us an excuse to go to an early dinner. Event covers 5 miles. Meeting location: Parking Lot off Ash between California and Jacaranda in Palo Alto Leader: Barbara Muir, 650/888-0576, [email protected]
Sat Feb 24 * 11am
Dog Friendly Stroll, Bair Island
Join us for a special stroll for dogs and people who like dogs. The three mile route is flat and wide, making it easy for people and dogs to get acquainted. Dogs who respond well to voice commands can even go off-leash and explore where their nose leads them. The views are pleasant, although not the best in the Bay Area. We will see a variety of birds in the wetlands, sailboats, and the occasional airplane from the nearby San Carlos airport. After a pleasant one-hour walk, you have the option of joining us for lunch at The Diving Pelican Cafe, 650 Bair Island Rd. Please bring a leash, water and treats for your dog, and cash for your meal. From highway 101, take the Whipple Ave exit east (towards the Bay). Very quickly, Whipple curves right, and the park entrance is straight ahead by the yellow drums. Parking is very tight, but Allan Steel has kindly agreed to let us use their parking lot. Allan Steel is just past the curve in Whipple, and on the left. No RSVP, but for further info contact Peter Andree [email protected], 650-400-4071
Mon, Feb 26 * 7:30pm - 10pm
Volleyball in San Mateo
Please see description for February 5th. Meeting location: Aragon High School girl's gym Leader: Doug Baitinger, 650/345-3192, [email protected]; Pete Vanderbilt, 650/604-0170, [email protected]
Wed, Feb 28 * 6:15pm
Wednesday Walkers Palo Alto
Come get a little mid-week cardio exercise. Tonight we will hike start at California and Ash in Palo Alto, go up California to hike around the footpaths that weave through the residential area surrounded by Page Mill, Junipero Serra, Stanford and Hanover. This will be a fast-paced, get-your-heart-rate- up 5-mile hike. We will definitely not be strolling. Optional post-hike dinner at Med-Wraps. DIRECTIONS: From 280, take the Page Mill exit East. Turn Left on El Camino Real. Turn right on California, go one block to Ash. Turn right on Ash. Park in lot on your left. From 101: take the Embarcadero/Oregon Expressway exit and follow signs to Oregon Expressway. Go about 2 miles and turn right on El Camino Real, go two lights and turn right on California, take your first right onto Ash. Parking lot will be on your left. Look for us under a light post. Rain cancels, but will give us an excuse to go to an early dinner. Event covers 5 miles. Meeting location: California and Ash, Palo Alto Leader: Barbara Muir, 650/888-0576, [email protected]
Wed, Mar 14 * 6pm
Baylands Conditioning Hike
Yee Hah! Daylights Savings Starts Early this year, so we get to head for the hill for the Wednesday night hikes. Starting tonight and through Daylight Savings, there will be a series of Wednesday night hikes that are geared towards conditioning for the longer day hikes. There will four or five different hikes, usually about 5 miles long and 1,000 feet gain. As tradition dictates the first and last hike will be at Baylands. We will do a very fast-paced hike from the trailhead at the dead-end of San Antonio into Shoreline Park and back. We will not be strolling. This will be the only flat hike of the season. We must be out of the park by sunset (7:45), so please arrive promptly at 6:00. We will start hiking no later than 6:10. Bring water and layers since it tends to be windy out on the bay. Directions: From 101 North or South take San Antonio exit East towards the Bay until it deadends into a parking lot. Rain cancels. Event covers 4 miles. Meeting location: At trailhead at the end of San Antonio Leader: Barbara Muir, 650/8880576, [email protected]
Fri - Sun, Mar 16 - 18
Crabtree Trail Advanced Beginner
*Cross Country Ski Trip
This trip is designed to challenge the advanced beginner*. We will start at the Crabtree trail head and ski up to Aspen Meadows. After a break there, we will return to Crabtree and head east. From this point, it's almost flat along a ridge which offers seclusion in forested areas as well as some great vistas along the way. We'll monitor the group to determine the point to turn back. Our reward will be soaking weary bones in the hot tub as snowflakes descend to earth followed by a great dinner. On Sunday, we'll pick another route depending on snow conditions. There are many in the Pinecrest area. No X-C equipment? It can be rented at REI or up there. Go to www.dodgeridge.com. Also, lessons are available by appointment in case people would like to do that on Saturday. Cost: Ninety Dollars ($90.) covers two nights accommodations; two breakfasts and two lunch fix'ins and one dinner. Every Participant will get their own bed and rooms will be shared by same sex. The trip is limited to twelve participants. Please send your check made out to Sierra Singles to Joe Schmidt 3336-2 Brittan Avenue, San Carlos, CA 94070-3413. Be sure to include SIN or name, address, phone and email address at a minimum. Carpools are encouraged and will be facilitated by providing everyone with contact information for participants. I would be happy to answer any questions. This event is co-listed with the Ski Touring Section and Bay Chapter. Rain is welcome and doesn't cancel ... think snow! Event covers 10+, with 1500 feet of elevation. Meeting location: Joseph's Cabin in the Sonora Pass Area (for location, go to google and enter "Joseph's Cabin". For the area, go to www.thegreatunfenced.com or www.dodgeridge.com. * The definition of an advanced beginner is a skier in good condition who have learned the basics of the diagonal stride on the flats and on easy hills. Rain is welcome and doesn't cancell ... think snow! Event covers 10 miles, with 1500 feet of elevation. Meeting location: Joseph's Cabin in the Sonora Pass/Emigrant Wilderness/Pinecrest Areas Leader: Joe Schmidt, [email protected]
Wed, Mar 21 * 6pm
Baylands Conditioning Hike
Tonight we will do the second half of the figure 8 to Shoreline Park. We will start at Whisman School and walk down the Stevens Creek Trail into Shoreline Park. We will go as far as we can and still get back to the border of the Shoreline Park and the Stevens Creek Trail by sunset. We must be out of the Shoreline park by sunset (7:45), so please arrive promptly at 6:00. We will hit the trail at 6:10 SHARP!. Bring water and layers since it tends to be windy out on the bay. Optional post hike dinner at Burrito Real at Rengsdorff and Middlefield. Directions: From 101 North or South take the Moffet Boulevard exit toward Mountain View, make a left on Middlefield and the first left on Easy Street. The school will be about half a block up. There is street parking and parking in the school lot. Rain cancels. Event covers 5 miles. Meeting location: Whisman School Leader: Barbara Muir, 650/888-0576, [email protected]
Wed, Mar 28 * 6pm
Rancho San Antonio Conditioning Hike
Okay now we are going to get serious. This is first of one of the standard Wednesday night hikes. This will be a fast-paced cardio hike of at least 5 miles and 500 feet gain with only brief stops at trail junctions. As the days get longer we will do more mileage and gain. We will hike into Rancho and take the trail past the farm and long the creek up along the trail to the lookout point before racing back to the cars by sunset. Bring layers and water. Rain cancels. Event covers 5 miles, with 1000 feet of elevation. Meeting location: Carpool #8 Leader: Barbara Muir, 650/8880576, [email protected]
Fri - Sun, Apr 13 - 15
Snow-shoeing in the Pinecrest Area
You've may have wanted to go to the back country and see nature's beautiful snow, streams but could not since you don't ski. Well, this is an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and snow shoe! They say that if you can hike, you can snow-shoe. We will start at 6,000 feet elevation and snow shoe to a wonderful area called the Punch Bowl. It is surrounded by volcanic cliffs with aspen trees in the vast meadow. We will have to hike to get to the snow since by the end of March the snow starts to melt. The gushing streams are really beautiful so bring your camera. Upon returning to the cabin, we can soak tired bones in the hot tub. On Sunday, we'll take Frasier Flat route down the north side of the ridge through the woods down to the bottom. Returning, we will follow the South Fork of the Stanislaus up to Strawberry. No shoe-shoeing equipment? It can be rented at any outdoor store like REI. If Dodge Ridge is still open, it can be rented there. See www.dodgeridge.com Ninety dollars ($90.) covers two nights accommodations; two breakfasts and two lunch fix'ins and one dinner. Every Participant will get their own bed and rooms will be shared by same sex. The trip is limited to eight participants. Well behaved dogs may come on the trip with the advance permission of the Leader. Please send your check made out to Sierra Singles to Joe Schmidt 3336-2 Brittan Avenue, San Carlos, CA 94070-3413. Provide SIN but at a minimum provide address, phone and email address. Thanks! I would be happy to answer any questions. This event may be co-listed with other groups such as the Ski Touring Section and Bay Chapter. Rain is welcome and doesn't cancel ... think snow! Event covers 10 miles, with 1,000 feet of elevation. Limited to twelve participants with an attempted NOAH. Meeting location: Lucille's Cabin in the Sonora Pass Area (for location, go to Google and enter "Lucille's Cabin". For the area, go to www.thegreatunfenced.com or www.dodgeridge.com Leader: Joe Schmidt, 650-592 1458, [email protected] Heavy rain/snow does not cancel. Event covers 10 miles, with 1,000 feet of elevation. Meeting location: Lucille's Cabin in the Sonora Pass Recreation Area Leader: Joe Schmidt, 650/592 1458, [email protected]
