A Perfect Day at Butano State Park

The weather was perfect for the final fieldtrip of the second session of my spring 2010 Peninsula Parks & Trail class, which was at Butano State Park. Because of recent rain, the park was moist, green and wildflowery.

We ascended Butano's south ridge by way of the Goat Hill and Doe Ridge Trails. On the way we saw several Spotted Coral Root orchids and many Clintonia in bloom. Upon reaching the Olmo Fire Road we headed east a short distance to a high point where we ate lunch and enjoyed sweeping views of the Butano Canyon to the north and the Gazos Creek Canyon to the south. From just the right spot you could see the ocean.

We then headed southwest on the Olmo Fire Trail and headed north (downhill) on the Goat Hill Trail, and on through the Ben Ried Campground, and back to our cars. There were lots of Douglas iris in bloom along the way. The campground was full, even though the cost of camping is now $35.00 per night.

The next session of my Peninsula Parks & Trails class starts on June 24. We will visit the Fall Creek unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Ano Nuevo State Reserve, and Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve.

A Foggy Ascent of Montara Mountain

Today I led my CSM class from San Pedro Valley County Park, in Pacifica, over Montara Mountain, to our awaiting cars on Highway 1 just south of Devil's Slide. The wildflowers were amazing. Flowering plants continue blooming much longer here than in most of the Bay Area because of the cool moist influence of the Pacific. This cool moist influence, in the form of fog, deprived us of the stunning views I wanted the class to enjoy.

When we came to the junction between the Montara Mountain Trail and the North Peak Access Road, we had a choice to make. Should we give up on the view and head west to our cars, or should be take a chance that the summit might be above the fog layer and go southeast to the top? A vote was taken and it was agreed that we would go for the summit.

It was the right choice. As we ascended the North Peak of Montara Mountain, we climbed above the fog and into the bright sun and blue skies. We looked down on a vast sea of fog that stretched westward to the horizon, north all the way to Mount Tamalpais, and east nearly to Mount Diablo. To the south we could see the foggy layer struggle and fail to pour over the Santa Cruz Mountains south of the airport. It was the highlight of the trip both figuratively and literally. The total length of this hike is nearly seven miles, with about 1800 feet of elevation gain.

Skyline Ridge & Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves

Yesterday, May 8, was a wonderful day to head to the Skyline Ridge area to enjoy sweeping views and lots of wildflowers. Students from my De Anza College class, plus my sister, who is visiting from Oregon, met at the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve parking lot. We visited two ponds, two ridgetops, and saw one of the best ancient Ohlone grinding rocks in the Bay Area.

To do this hike, park at the main parking lot off of Skyline Blvd. Then charge uphill and follow the Ridge Trail, past spectacular views, to Alpine Pond. Just downhill from the earthen dam is the Indian grinding rock. Then cross Alpine Road and up Russian Ridge to Borel Hill, which is the highest point in San Mateo County. From here, on a clear day, you can see all the way to Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, San Francisco, the bay, all the cities on both sides of the bay, and the ocean.

Russian Ridge is one of the best places in the Bay Area to see wildflowers. They peak in the first two weeks in May. Wildflowers are so prolific here because MPROSD conducts a controlled burn every summer to burn off the non-native grasses and star thistle.

Then head back to Alpine Pond, loop around the pond, and stop at the Daniels Nature Center if it is open. Then head back toward the starting point, but take the extra loop around Horseshoe Lake before heading back to the parking lot. You can see all this in a hike that is only about six miles.

Calero County Park, May 1, 2010

Today was a great day for a hike at Calero County Park, south of San Jose. The grassy slopes are still green and the wildflowers are plentiful. If you want to enjoy this park at it's Spring perfection you better hurry, because it will be hot and dry in a couple of weeks.

I guided my CSM class on a 6.1 mile figure 8 loop from the McKean Road entrance, south of the reservoir. We hiked from the parking lot up the Los Cerritos Trail to the Pena Trail and headed west on the Javelina Loop. Be aware that some parts of this route are steep. We then headed uphill on the Javelina Loop for a lunchstop among a serpentine wildflower display with views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains. We then paused at the pond at Fish Camp and headed back via the Figueroa Trail.

TO GET THERE... from Hwy 101 southbound take Bernal Road west, Santa Teresa Blvd. south, and Baily Avenue west.