Sat, Mar 03 * 9:30am - 9pm
Fort Mason to Sausalito Hike and Almost Sunset Cruise
Come enjoy beautiful views and vistas as we hike from Fort Mason across the Golden Gate Bridge and up into the Marin Headlands for lunch at one of the vista points where you will get 360 degree views of the ocean and the Bay. On a really clear day, we will be able to see all five bridges. We will hike through the headlands and down into downtown Sausalito for the traditional ice cream before taking the 5:00 golden gate ferry for a close to sunset cruise. Sunset and Sunrise will be around 6:00 so we will be treated to both as we work our way back to the cars along the Embarcadero. Optional dinner after at Barney's in the Marina District. The hike will be mostly on paved paths, but shoes with good tread are highly recommended for the trek across the Headlands. The path is fairly steep and rocky. BRING: lunch, lots of water if it's hot, layers for fog and ferry, and $ for ferry ($6.75), optional eats and your carpool driver. Cancels. Event covers 13 miles, with 1000 feet of elevation. Meeting location: Carpool #7 Leader: Barbara Muir, 650/888-0576, [email protected]
Sat, Mar 03 * 11am - 3:30pm
Teague Hill Hike
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] Heavy rain or threat of cancels. Event covers 5-7 miles, with 1500-2000 feet of elevation.Meeting location: Woodside Elementary School NEXT TO THE TENNIS COURTS Leader: Craig Keith, 408/227-0196, [email protected]
Sun, Mar 04 * 7pm
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. Co-listed with Jewish Hiking Club. 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, 95008. Meeting location: Restaurant Leader: Jack Borok, [email protected]; Margo Raff, [email protected]
Mon, Mar 05 * 7pm - 9:30pm
Volleyball in San Mateo
(Also March 12th, 19th & 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 6:45, first come, first serve, so get there early. Warm ups start at 7:00, games begin at 7:30pm and continue until 9:30. 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]
Sun, March 11 * 11am
Wunderlich Park Stroll and lunch
We will go for about a ninety-minute stroll in Wunderlich Park, followed by optional lunch at Max's Opera Cafe. The trail is hilly, but not really steep, and I lead hikes at a pace more conducive to conversation and nature watching than aerobic exercise. If you find some of the longer hikes intimidating, this is the hike for you! Children who can walk steadily for ninety minutes are welcome on this hike. To reach Wunderlich, take Woodside Rd. 2.7 miles west of 280. Look for the rather small brown entrance sign on your right. This sign is very easy to miss, so note your odometer at 280. When you get to the parking lot, look for the guy with the clipboard. Parking can be tight, and those who would like to carpool can meet at my office parking lot at 950 Woodside Rd., half an hour before the hike starts. There is no park entrance fee. After the walk, we will reward ourselves with a great meal and good conversation at Max's Opera Cafe. Please bring cash to pay for your meal. No RSVP but for information, call Peter (650) 400-4071 or email [email protected] Heavy rain cancels. Event covers 5 miles, with 600 feet of elevation. Meeting location: Wunderlich Park, Woodside. Leader: Peter Andree
Mon, Mar 12 * 7pm - 9:30pm
Volleyball in San Mateo
Please see description for March 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, Mar 14 * 6pm
Baylands Conditioning Hike
Yee Hah! Daylight 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, 650/888-0576, [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 has learned the basics of the diagonal stride on the flats and on easy hills. Rain is welcome and doesn't cancel ... 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]
Fri, Mar 16 * 7pm - 10pm
March Madness Sierra Singles Social
Yes, this month we have five Fridays so come spend one of your Friday evening with us at the Britannia Arms in downtown San Jose. We meet to chat, flirt, mingle, or just have a laugh, we eat or quench our thirst while having fun. We have an area to ourselves at the far end of the pub, or out in the patio if it is nice outside. Britannia Arms extends their happy hour just for the Sierra Singles. We have specials when you order before 8pm: the appetizers are half price, and $2 for Pabst Blue Ribbon, $5 for Vodka orange/Red Bull/tonic or any tonic, $4 per glass house red wine or share a bottle of house red wine for $12. For a list of the appetizers check the menu at the website. Method of payment is "Cash and Carry", order with the bartender. Typical cost for the social is $15 - $20. Meeting Location & Directions: The Britannia Arms at San Jose is located downtown San Jose on West Santa Clara Street. Free Parking available after 6pm at the Market Street Parking structure at the corner of E Santa Clara St. & N Market St. The parking structure is also accessible from S San Pedro Street which is 1/2 a block away from the pub. Britannia Arms 173 W Santa Clara St., San Jose. This is the link to the map to Britannia arms, http://www.britanniaarms.com/sanjose/directions.htm. Look for the leader with the Sierra Club Activities patch and a clip board. Please sign in with the leader. Leader: Mario Rosario Email: [email protected] Rain does not cancel. Meeting location: Britannia Arms in downtown San Jose Leader: Mario Rosario, [email protected]
Sat, Mar 17 * 10am - 3:30am
Habitat Restoration at Mills Creek Open Space Preserve
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED What a great way to go Green on St. Valentine's Day. Help a park get ready for the public. This tiny preserve is one of the newer MROSD Acquisitions. We will be removing invasive, non-native vegetation. We will also be treated to a tour of this preserve No experience is necessary. Mid-Pen personnel will be there to train us on all the tools we will be using. You are welcome to work at your own pace and ability. WHAT TO WEAR: long pants, long sleeve shirts and sturdy shoes (hiking boots are excellent) and layers for cool, moist weather. Work gloves (leather or canvas) are a good idea too. BRING: Bag lunch and water bottle. PLEASE RSVP to leader by March 12. Limit 10 people. NOTE: Heavy rain will cancel the project. Please feel free to call leader to confirm after 7:45 am on 1/28. MEET: North Purisima Lot and then shuttle to the Mills Creek entrance. Please plan on arriving on time we will start promptly at 10:00. DIRECTIONS: 4.5 miles south of Highway 92. Look for the white ranger trucks in the parking lot. Call leader after 8:00 am day of project if the weather looks iffy. Meeting location: North Purisima Lot and then shuttle to the Mills Creek. Leader: Barbara Muir, 650/888-0576, [email protected]
Sat, Mar 17 * 10am
Critter Walk with an Ocean View, plus a potluck lunch
Two and four legged critters permitted on this walk near / along the ocean in Half Moon Bay. Potluck lunch at Dorothy's house following the walk. Dogs must be on leash, and bring a bag to clean up after your dog, plus water. We will meet at the Edgewood Park and Ride at 10 am, driving to Dorothy's house to drop off food and drinks. We will walk to the ocean trail leaving Dorothy's at 11 am. We will walk as far as the group wants, turning around when we decide it is time to turn around to go eat. No shoes or dogs in house. Bring slippers if you wish. Dogs can go in the back yard during lunch; very small dogs may be able to get out under the fence in places, so may be best left in their cars, put in the garage, or tied on porch during lunch For the potluck, please bring the following based on the first letter of your last name:A-G Bring salad or appetizer H-N Bring main dish O-S Bring drink T-Z Bring dessert Directions to Dorothy's home: Take Highway 92 west (towards the ocean) as far as you can go. At the junction of Highway 1 and Highway 92 go right (north) 2.9 miles. There is a stop light at the intersection of Coronado and Highway 1 - turn right (the street name sign is missing). If you get to Surfer's Beach or the Beach House, you have gone too far. Make the first right again onto Ave. Alhambra (changes name to Santiago). Continue past the two schools until you get to Columbus, and turn left. Go one block and stop and look. There is a circle of eucalyptus trees directly in front of you. Look through the circle and a little to the left. (Go to left around the circle) There is a beige house with blue trim and a fence with a gate. The address is 555 Ave. Cabrillo, El Granada, CA 650 726-9306 Leader is Sandra Winkler, work 408/369-7000, ext 121, cell for after 9 pm and weekends 408/416-1883 Rain does not cancel; bring an umbrella. Event covers 2-5 miles, with 0-300 feet of elevation. Meeting location: #7 Edgewood Park 'N Ride Lot, Northeast corner of Edgewood and 280 Leader: Sandra Winkler, 408/416-1883, [email protected]
Mon, Mar 19 * 7pm - 9:30pm
Volleyball in San Mateo
Please see description for March 5th. Meeting location: Aragon High School girl's gym Leader: Doug Baitinger, 650/345-3192, [email protected]; Pete Vanderbilt, 650/604-0170, [email protected]
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. cancels. Event covers 5 miles. Meeting location: Whisman School Leader: Barbara Muir, 650/888-0576, [email protected]
Sat, March 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 dinner 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, Mar 26 * 7pm - 9:30pm
Volleyball in San Mateo
Please see description for March 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, 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. Cancels. Event covers 5 miles, with 1000 feet of elevation. Meeting location: Carpool #8 Leader: Barbara Muir, 650/8880576, [email protected]
Sat, Apr 14 * 3pm
Golden Light Edgewood Wildflower Walk
Moderate-to-leisurely paced walk to identify and enjoy spring wildflowers and aromatic plants. We should see owls clover, goldfields, buttercups, lupine, tidy tips, poppies and more. We will identify grassland, riparian and oak woodland species and take brief stops to savor aromatics. Walk covers 5 or 6 miles with some uphill. Bring a camera since late afternoon directional light makes interesting photos. After the walk, we’ll have dinner at Fresh Choice in Redwood City. Meet at Carpool #7 Edgewood Park and Ride. Leader: Vicky Graham [email protected] 415-468-1345
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 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]
