A Rainy Day Hike

Because of rainy weather, only nine students from my College of San Mateo Peninsula Parks & Trails class showed up at the Page Mill Road/280 park & ride lot for the field trip on Saturday, March 26. A vote was taken and it was decided to go to nearby Arastradero Preserve for a short hike instead of doing the scheduled hike at Uvas Canyon County Park.

Despite the rain and muddy trails, we had an enjoyable two hour ramble, which included an exceptional view of a coyote. With proper apparel, a walk in the rain can be a most enjoyable experience. Remember this: there is no bad weather, just unfortunate wardrobe decisions.

Pomponio's Cave

Jose Pomponio Lupugeym (1799-1824) was an Miwok Indian rebel, and leader of an outlaw band he called "Los Insurgentes". He was brought to Mission San Francisco de Assisi (Mission Dolores) as a young child from the Bolinas Bay area, and was raised by the Franciscans to be a loyal Spanish subject.

Instead, Pomponio became rebellious, and questioned why the Spaniards should rule over the native people of California. He escaped mission life, and found other disaffected Indians to join his band. They raided missions, pueblos, and ranchos over a wide area, as far south as Mission Soledad, and as far north as Mission San Rafael. He was captured and executed by firing squad in 1824.

In 1823 is it known that Pomponio made his headquarters in a cave in a remote canyon in the Santa Cruz Mountains. A Santa Clara News article dated November 12, 1869 identified his cave as being near a waterfall in Devil's Canyon, in what is now Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. This canyon is steep and dangerous, and there is no trail. A friend and I explored this area and investigated several caves in the sandstone rock outcroppings. One cave in particular meets the description of the Ponponio's hideout. It is next to a waterfall, has a flat floor, and is large enough for a band of outlaws to take shelter. There is no way to prove it, but this is the best candidate I have found. Photos are included..