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Winter 1998 Calendar

• Time: 7:00pm
• Place: English room of the Becthel International Center

If you have trip suggestions but can't come to the meeting, please send your ideas by e-mail to Arturo (crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu). before the meeting.

New prospective "members" are welcome to come and learn about the club.

Length of hike: 7 or ~11 miles (see below)
Elevation gain: 800 ft.
Meet:           8:30 am at the Bechtel Center, Stanford,
                or 9:30 at Castle Rock main parking lot
Driving time:   45 min (each way)

Hike description:

Castle Rock State Park is in the Santa Cruz mountains just
south of Saratoga Gap (intersection 9 & 35). We start
at the main parking lot, which is on highway 35 about
3 miles south of the intersection with 9. We will take
the Saratoga Gap trail past the Saratoga Gap Falls
(I am sure there will be water in the falls this time!)
and continue to the campground. Then we go up Loughry Woods
trail to Skyline, where we cross the highway and continue on
the other side on the Skyline trail which takes us
back to the parking lot at the entrance.

This loop is only about 7 miles. If some people
want to go a longer loop, it is possible to extend the hike
by going all the way to Saratoga Gap Vista Point.
Possibly we will split the group into two, depending
on what the mood of the hikers is. The weather is also
an important unknown factor.

This hike will go as scheduled even if there are light showers.
Bring rain gear. If it is really pouring down, we will
try to move the hike to Sunday, same time and place. (Check
the web site or call the leader to find out for sure.)

Trip "leader": Erik Boman, boman__no_spam__sccm.stanford.edu (650-493-5009)

Location: Pinnacles National Monument.
Driving time:  approx. 2 hours each way.
Length of hike: 12 miles (including 2 miles off-trail)
Total Elevation gain: 3000 ft
Elevation range:  from 1000ft (300m) to 3300ft (1000m) above sea level.

Meet: 7:30 a.m. at the Bechtel Center, Stanford


The hike is in Pinnacles National Monument.  Hike route: end-of-the-road at
Bear Gulch - Bear Gulch caves - North Chalone Peak - South Chalone Peak - to
eastern park boundary off-trail! - to East Entrance Station by primitive trail
- Bench Trail - Bear Gulch Trail to complete the loop.

Mileage:  12 miles, including 2 miles off-trail (I have a 1:24000 topo map and
compass).  Total elevation gain, that is, the integral from start to end of
max(derivative of elevation, 0) = 3000ft, or 900m.  Since this is a loop,
total elevation loss is the same :)

Unusual items to bring:  
1.  flashlights for the portion of the trail in the caves, and if we end up in
the dark - in that case the last 2 miles of the hike we can do using the road
instead of the trails.
2.  for the off-trail part:  long trousers and sturdy work-type gloves that
you won't rip apart doing chaparral-wrestling and that can withstand some
thorns;  I think you can cheaply buy them at any gas station.

If the weather is bad, I can find out where the weather is good and we can
still meet at Stanford and go there.  

If the weather is bad when we get to South Chalone Peak, or we get there late,
or the off-trail looks too tough from there, we can turn-around and get back
to Bear Gulch the way we came - still a nice hike. 

I think the whole outing from Stanford to Stanford should take about 12 hours.

I will be leaving from my apartment at 3149 Casa de Campo, F211, San Mateo, 1
hour before meet time.  I am writing this because I have a 7-passenger minivan
that would be nice to carpool, but the roll-out seats are in my living room as
furniture, and I need another person to help put them in the
van.  So, if you come by San Mateo on your way to Stanford, please stop by and
help - you can then leave your car at my place.  Directions:  take Hillsdale
exit off 101 in San Mateo to Foster City, take first right off Hillsdale on
Norfolk St, then first right on La Selva, then first left on
Casa de Campo.  3149 is the last building on the left before a park.  Use the
intercom off the street and I will let you in the building.  211 is on the
second floor. 

Leader: Mark Galecki (mark__no_spam__greenspring.com).  Home (650)286-9573.
Work (650)327-1200 ext. 139

Location: Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (adjacent to Skyline Boulevard)
Driving time: approx. 30 minutes each way
Length of Hike: 8 miles
Total Elevation gain: 1000 ft
Park URL: http://www.openspace.org/WINDY.html

Meet: 10 am at the Becthel International Center, Stanford


Windy Hill is named for the prominent, grass-covered 1900-foot hilltop which
forms the scenic backdrop to the Town of Portola Valley. Located adjacent to
Skyline Boulevard, the 1,130-acre preserve is characterized by grassland
ridges and lush wooded ravines with serene creeks. The upper ridges have very
good views of San Francisco, the Pacific Ocean, the valley, and the bay (if
it's not foggy).

We will hike the Windy Hill Loop.  This loop uses Hamms Gulch Trail, Eagle
Trail, Razorback Ridge Trail and Lost Trail to make the eight-mile loop from
the top of Skyline  down forested ridges to the valley floor and back again. 

This will be an easy hike and we are starting late (10 am), so if you haven't
been in a hike this year, this is a good one to start with.  We will probably
be back at Stanford by 3:30pm.

Trip "leader": Mike Bistko, ph: (408) 457-8633. 

Sorry this event is fully booked

The Portuguese community organizes three times a year an all you can eat
crab dinner in Mountain View. I've never been to the dinner, but people
who have been there have told me that the food was delicious. They ship
two huge trucks of king crab directly from Alaska for this event. The
dinner includes crab cioppino or plain crab with butter, salad, bread,
wine and non alcoholic beverages and is $30 per person. After the dinner
there is dancing with a Portuguese band.

Now the important thing is reservations, since the dinner sells out very
quickly. Last year we tried to get in 10 days in advance and it was sold
out already. I will make reservations for people from the outing club who
are interested and send me $30 before Thursday January 15.

If you can't make it before January 15, you can try your luck yourself by
calling (650) 967 2759 and asking, if there are still tickets
available. But then you have to get directions and drive there to pick up
your ticket in advance.

Location: Muir Woods/Mount Tamalpais 
Driving Time: approx. 1:45 each way
Length of Hike: 8 miles
Total Elevation gain: 1800 ft.
Park URL: http://www.nps.gov/muwo/ (Muir Woods)

Meet: 8:00am at the Bechtel International Center, Stanford


Starting at Muir Woods, we will hike up to Pantoll, then over the Mountain
Theater and Westpoint Inn, before descending back to Muir Woods.  This will be
a short but hilly hike, about 8 miles long with 1800 feet each of elevation
gain and loss. The beginning and end of the hike is redwood forest, the middle
on grasslands and chaparrals with good views of the ocean and the bay.

Meet at 8am at the International Center or at Muir Woods Visitor Center at
9:45am.  Parking is free at Muir Woods, but there is an admission fee of $2
per person.  Optional dinner at San Francisco in the way home.

Be prepared for muddy, slippery and/or washed out trails.  There is a
possibility that we may have to change or cancel the hike due to trail
closures, so watch for email updates on Friday and Saturday.

Trip "leader": Mike Bistko, ph: (408) 457-8633. 

Feb 14: Foothills Park

• Location: Foothill Park (3300 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto)
• Driving Time: approx. 20 min each way
• Length of Hike: approx. 10 miles
• Elevation Gain: less than 1000 ft (but it'll be hilly).
• Official Park Information
• Rain Policy: rain cancels the hike
• Meet: 9:30am at the Bechtel International Center, Stanford

**IMPORTANT**: Palo Alto residents, please bring a driver's license or other proof of residency (such as an utility bill) in the City of Palo Alto. If we don't have enough Palo Altans (1 for every 15 people), we won't be able to enter the park. Note that students living on campus are _not_ considered Palo Alto residents.

Foothills Park is a 1,400-acre nature preserve open only to Palo Alto residents and their accompanied guests which has 15 miles of trail. The park's main feature is the Las Trampas Valley, a large meadow between two wooded ridges. Las Trampas is Spanish for "the traps"; the Costanoan Indians trapped grizzly bears in the area. The only man-made additions are the Interpretive Center, the 12-acre Boronda Lake, and a system of roads and hiking trails.

Meet at 9:30am at the International Center. Be prepared for muddy, slippery and/or washed out trails.

Trip "leader": Arturo Crespo (crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu, phone (650) 723-9273[w], (650) 967-4039[h])

• Location: The Fall Creek unit of Henry Cowell State Park ( near Scotts Valley )
• Driving Time: approx. 50 min each way
• Length of Hike: approx. 9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1200 ft .
• Park Map.
• Rain Policy: Threat of serious rain on Saturday cancels the hike
• Meet: 9:30am at the Bechtel International Center, Stanford

Fall Creek is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains west of the town of Felton. Along the trains we will see remnants of the logging and limestone extraction businesses that were operated here in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The hike itself is not very long but the trails will probably not be in very good condition. Be prepared for muddy, slippery and/or washed out trails. Also be ready for horizontal tree climbing as the ranger said that there are currently some downed trees across some of the trails.

Due to the poor trail conditions and the fact that there are some creek crossings this hike will be canceled if there is a serious threat of rain. If it is raining on Saturday morning then the hike will be canceled. If it is not raining Saturday morning then I will be at the Bechtel center to say go or no go ( most likely we will go unless rain is imminent ).

After the hike we will stop in Los Gatos for dinner, probably at the Los Gatos Brewery or at this Mexican place across the street that I can never remember the name of.

Trip "leader": Osman Eralp (H) 408-945-0552, (W) 510-445-3837, osman__no_spam__flash.net

Sorry, this trip is fully booked.

We are planning a cross-country ski trip on Feb 28-March 1st in Badger Pass,
Yosemite.

The plan is to leave Stanford very early Saturday (around 7am), drive to
Badger Pass, and ski for half a day. On Saturday night we will stay at Curry
Village. On Sunday, we will return to Badger Pass and ski all day.  We will
return to Stanford Sunday evening.

Some skiing experience preferred but not essential (please indicate your level
of experience).  If you are a beginner, you can take cross-country ski lessons
at Badger Pass.

Lodging: 
-------
We will be staying at Curry Village.  Cabins are heated and have a private
bathroom. 3 people will stay in each cabin.  Cabins have two double beds
and 1 roll-away bed.

Cost: 
----
Cost is $50 per person.  This covers lodging and transportation.  If you
volunteer to drive, you will receive $15 for each person in your car
(including yourself) to cover the cost of gas and car wear and tear.  In
addition to that, passengers need to reimburse the driver for the cost of
tolls and the Yosemite Park Entrance fee ($20).

Other costs that you should consider are food and the ski rental at Badger
Pass ($18 for a a full day and $11.25 for half day). There is no fee for trail
use in Yosemite.

Leaders:

Arturo Crespo: crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu, Phone: 967-4039 [h], 723-9273 [w]
Erik Boman: boman__no_spam__sccm.stanford.edu, Phone: 497 5669 [h]

• Location: 3 miles south of Carmel on HW1
• Driving time: approx 2 hours
• Length of hike: 8 miles
• Elevation Gain: very little.
• Park URL: http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us
• Rain Policy: Threat of serious rain on Saturday cancels the hike
• Meet: 9am at the Bechtel International Center, Stanford

Point Lobos is located on HW1 in a beautiful Pacific coast setting near Carmel south of Monterey. Deriving its name from the offshore rocks at Punta de los Lobos Marinos, Point of the Sea Wolves, where the sound of the sea lions carries inland, the reserve has often been called "the crown jewel of the State Park System." We will do a short hike with not much climbing (8 miles approximately). For more information about the park see http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us.

Bring warm clothing for wind and possible rain. Also, bring food and drink. Meet at I-center at 9 am. If we finish early, there are a number of options - Visit Monterey, Mission Carmel (Spanish Mission), Carmel Beach, etc.

Trip "leader": John (hossack__no_spam__acuson.com) Tel: 323 7681 (H)

• Length of hike: 10-11 miles
• Elevation gain: 3000 feet (very strenuous)
• Park URL: http://www.mdia.org/
• Rain Policy: rain cancels the hike.
• Optional dinner in the way home.
• Meet: 8:15am at the Bechtel I-Center, Stanford.

We will start on the north (some say east) side of Mt. Diablo, in Clayton near Walnut Creek. We enter through the Regency entrance and hike up the Back Creek Trail. This will take us from 600 feet up to the Meridian Ridge Road at 2200 feet! Then we follow fire roads up to the North Peak (3557 ft) from which there is a great view. The descent is down on the north-east side via Mt Olympia. We then traverse over to the Donner Canyon Road, which leads us right back to the cars.

Some quotes from the official Mt.Diablo trail map and guide:

• "... astounding beauty ... particularly recommended in the spring wildflower season"
• "Back Canyon has tiny streams, spectacularly eroded rocks"
• "Donner Canyon has a broad stream between emerald grassy banks"

This trip contains a lot of hill climbing so it will be a real workout! Expect the full hike to take 7 hours (excluding driving). Note that there are no facilities at our entry point so make sure you bring everything you need and stop for a restroom break on the way. This area can be very hot on a sunny day so bring lots of water (at least 2 liter/quarts) and perhaps a hat. If you have a Mt.Diablo map, please bring it.

The trail head in Clayton can be a bit tricky to find. If you live in the East Bay and would like to meet us up there, please email me (crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu) for directions.

Trip "leader": Arturo Crespo (crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu) 650-967-4039 (h)

• Length of hike: ~10 miles
• Elevation gain: approximately 2200 ft.
• Meet: 8:30 am at the Bechtel Center, Stanford
• Driving time: 1.5hr (each way)

We will start at the Sunol Regional Wilderness Visitor Center (elev. 390 ft) at the Ohlone Wilderness Trail. The short section of the trail which is in Sunol Regional Wilderness is on a narrow, scenic path hand-built by California Conservation Corps crews, there is a scenic overlook along the way with views of Sunol Valley. Continuing westward, the trail crosses Calaveras Road (elev 770 ft). From that point, the trail follows fire roads through oak woodlands and crossing several creeks. Continuing to the west, the trail enters lands leased from San Francisco Water Department (SFWD), an area of grasslands interspersed with groves of oaks. 2 miles from Mission Peak, we'll leave the leased land and enter the Mission Peak Regional Preserve (elev 1820 ft). Near the top of Mission Peak, the trail contours around the peak, but a steep half mile climb will take us to the summit (elev 2527 ft). From the summit, we will have panoramic views of San Francisco, the South Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. In the way back, we will take a different trail back to the SFWD leased lands. From that point, we will follow the same trails we used in our way to Mission Peak back to Sunol Regional Wilderness.

Note: if you live closer to Sunol than to the Stanford I-Center, please contact me for an alternative meeting point.

Trip "leader": Arturo Crespo, crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu, (h:(650)967-4039, o:(650)723-9273)

• Hiking Distance: 11-15 miles, depending on whether we choose the optional Ocean Lake Loop or not.
• Elevation Gain: around 1500ft
• Meet: 8am *sharp* at the Stanford I-center
• Driving Time: 2 hrs (each way)
• Park web page

Hike route: Five Brooks Trailhead - south on Olema Valley Trail - Bolema Trail - north on Ridge Trail - Firtop - Wildcat - optional: Ocean Lake Loop - north on Coast Trail - Greenpicker Trail - Five Brooks Trailhead.

Hike features: The hike is mostly in the Wilderness Area of the Point Reyes National Seashore. We should see beautiful forests, we will climb the Firtop Hill and hopefully see nice views, we will also hike along the coast and Wildcat Beach. If the weather is good and we want to, a part or the whole group can take a side trip to the Ocean Lake Loop Trail while the rest enjoys an extended lunch. A few of the trails are steep, but I don't think there is much elevation gain; this is not a mountain hike. We will go at moderate pace and take our time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. That is why I want to start early, and I plan to be back at the cars at around sunset. We should be back at Stanford before 8pm, maybe much earlier if we don't take the optional loop.

Rain Policy: let us still meet at 8:00. I will research the situation and find out if it rains in Point Reyes. We can take a different, shorter hike, or we can decide to go to a wildlife refuge to watch Tule Elk and birds - which can be done from cars.

Trip "leader": Mark Galecki (marek__no_spam__greenspring.com). Home (650)286-9573. Work (650)327-1200 ext. 139

• Hiking Distance: Approx. 9 miles, we'll take lots of stops to identify wildflowers (bring your wildflower guides, if you have one).
• Total Elevation Gain: less than 1000 ft.
• Meet 9:00 am at Stanford
• Driving time: 30-45 minutes (each way)
• Park web page

Tentative plan:

Start at the parking lot at the intersection of Page Mill and Skyline. Go up to Borel Hill (2572 ft), the highest named point in San Mateo County, which offers a 360-degree view. Continue down to the Ridge Trail. Turn onto Hawk Ridge trail, which offers great views of the canyon, and often hawks in the air (and hence its name). Follow the Mindego Ridge Trail to the Ancient Oaks Trail, and return to the parking lot. If we finish this part of the hike early, there's nature center close by that we can visit (they're open till 4pm). Then, we'll proceed to Horsehoe lake and back (about 3 miles roundtrips). People who have plans/need to leave early, can skip the Horseshoe lake portion of the hike, since we will be stopping at the parking lot.

A little description from the pamphlet:

Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve is a spectacular place to enjoy the changes in the seasons. In the spring, this 1,580 acre preserve explodes with color as the native wildflowers put on a showy display. This preserve is often named as one of the five best places in the Bay Area to see wildflowers. Early in the spring, the poppies and lupine dominate. By May and June, gumweed, mule ears, farewell-to-Spring, and brodiaea bloom. The hills turn to gold in the summer, when the long evening light strikes them. Autumn, when the fog recedes, is the ideal time to enjoy the ridge views of San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains through the crisp, clean, air. Winter storms occasionally dust the top of the hills with snow.

Trip "leader": I-Ching Chang (I-Ching.Chang__no_spam__stellexms.com)

This hike "has it all": redwood forests, chaparral, grasslands, wild flowers, ocean and bay views, and a couple of historic sites too.

Starting at Muir Woods, we will hike uphill to Pantoll (the hardest part of the hike), then along the Coastal Trail high above the Pacific. We will return via the Mountain Theater, West Point Inn and Mountain Home. Depending on which trails we take the hike will be between 11 and 13 miles long, with about 2000 fet each of elevation gain and loss.

Meet at the Bechtel International Center at 8:30am, or at Muir Woods visitor center at 10:15am. Parking is free at Muir Woods, but there is a $2 per person admission fee.

Optional Dinner in San Francisco on the way home.

Because of all the rain this winter, you should be prepared for muddy, slippery and/or washed out trails.

Trip "leader": Mike Bistko, ph: (408) 457-8633.

This hike is subject to revision or cancellation, due to the fact that many of the trails at Pinnacles were damaged by the recent floods.

The Pinnacles are the remains of an ancient volcano near Hollister. This hike will take us around and over the Pinnacles, with a pause at the top to watch the sun set and the moon rise. We will return to our cars by the light of the full moon. We may also visit caves along the way.

The hike is about 10 miles long, with approximately 1500 feet each of elevation gain and loss. Parts of the trail are steep and rocky, while others may be lippery or washed out because of all the recent rain. The caves will probably be very muddy and slippery, if we can get into them at all.

You must bring a flashlight. Also bring warm clothes (it can get very cold atop the Pinnacles at night!), some food and water, and money for food, gas, parking, etc.

Optional stop in Hollister for pizza or snacks on the way home.

Meet in front of the Bechtel International Center at 1:00pm or at the Bear Gulch Visitor Center at 3:15pm. We will return to campus around midnight (or later).

If you have any questions, call Michael Bitsko at (408) 457-8633