Hike: Tilden and Wildcat Regional Parks

I attempted a 7 mile hike in the Tilden and Wildcat Regional Parks area today, but missed a turn and ended up at 11 miles. Maybe the extra distance was worthwhile, since I got to walk through a herd of grazing cattle. It was a little cloudy and windy, but that didn't diminish my appreciation of this walk. Here's the route I took:

• Start at the Tilden Regional Park Environmental Education Center.
• Head northwest past Jewell Lake and catch Wildcat Creek Trail. This section is wide open, pleasant, and mostly flat. At one point, I got to watch a couple squirrels close-up as they foraged near the trail.
• Head east-ish on Havey Canyon Trail. In this section, you pick up maybe 900 vertical feet. Golden bay leaves paved the narrow trail, bringing back fond memories of runs and hikes around Bellingham, Washington. Stepping through the first cattle gate, I was in the midst of several majestic silver-gray trees with silvering leaves. I think they were California Bay Laurels (Umbellularia californica). This might have been my favorite part of the hike. I also found a small black snake, but unfortunately scared it due to me not paying attention.
• The Havey Canyon trail emerges from the trees into a swooping gentle ascent north to the paved Nimitz Way trail. Take a right and ascend another 100-ish vertical feet. The San Pablo Resevoir became visible on my left side. I saw a rabbit cross the trail.
• Here's where things get a bit confusing. At one point where the Nimitz Way trail takes a sharp left on its way downhill, but I continued straight up a fairly wide gravel trail. There was a 2.4 mile mark on the Nimitz pavement just before this junction(the mile marks were descendind). The trail narrowed to single-track as I passed several lovely Monterey Cypress trees (I think...) on my right. This set me up on the Conlon trail, and I was supposed to turn left at a bench and return to the Nimitz Way trail. However, I continued. straight on the Conlon trail, which returned me to the junction of the Wildcat Creek and Havey Canyon trails. Passing through the herd of cattle was a little exciting. Further on and near the its descending terminus, Conlon trail is embraced by a picturesque oasis supporting a clutch of protective trees and bushes.
• The Conlon trail exited onto the lower end of the Havey Canyon trail. With two left turns and few steps uphill, I began my return on the Wildcat Creek Trail.

If I repeat this trip, I'll probably try the intended seven mile route, or maybe shorten it further by staying on the Nimitz Way trail when it makes the hard left I mentioned above. The Tilden Visitor Center has useful and free trail maps for the Wildcat Regional Park area that covers nearly all of the hike I described. I usually like to buy nice maps from the helpful rangers, but none of the for-pay maps were any good. Note to self: next time, pick up the map before starting the hike.

Purisima Creek Redwoods, starting in the north-west corner

Saturday, 14 July 2007 I finally made a longer day-hike in the Purisima Creek Redwoods. Two friends and I followed the 7 mile, 1200-feet-gained circuit suggested in 101 Hikes in Norther California by Matt Heid. We spent about three hours on the hike, including stopping for views and snack. We travelled the circuit anti-clockwise, starting from the Higgins-Purisima parking area (PC05). You reach this parking area by taking 92 West to Half Moon Bay, then head south on US 1 until Verde road. Head as straight as possible on Verde road for a few miles. The parking area is on the right, just as the road takes a very sharp uphill left turn. Though you might see many cars, in our experience the hike is fairly intimate and you have plenty of quiet space.

You start out deep in a heavily wooded valley, and climb slowly along the Purisima Creek Trail. Once you meet the Soda Gulch trail, keep left (it's actually kind of straight) and climb a bit faster. Eventually the towering redwoods give way to a long view across the valley you've just circumnavigated, and the already good hike becomes a great hike.

Just as we started the steep descent on the Harkins Ridge Trail, fog from Half Moon Bay fell over the mountain tops. We slipped underneath this blanket as we made our way through the switchbacks and returned to the parking lot. If you just want a quick, steep hike to a great vista, start from the same parking lot and reverse our route. However, you shouldn't underestimate the beauty and impact of the redwoods on the rest of the hike. Perhaps my favorite sights on this trip were the stands of five to ten redwoods growing together in tight circles.

Two recent hikes: Mount Olympus/North Peak (starting at Mount Diablo), and Purisima Creek Redwoods

Sunday, 1 July 2007 I meant to hike from near the summit of Mount Diablo to Mount Olympus, both in the Diablo Range near Walnut Creek, California. Unfortunately, I missed the North Peak Trail turnoff, and instead hiked up North Peak Road to North Peak. The road is very steep, and at the top are two clusters of Antennas. The view was pretty good, and I realize now that I saw Mount Olympus from there. I also scrambled on top of a small rocky outcrop just north of first antennas, where I found a wonderful gnarled tree, and the largest dragonfly population I've ever seen. At one point, I estimated about 50 dragonfiles no more than 10 meters from me. For some reason, I felt compelled to practice Vrikshasana (tree pose) on top of this rock, which probably wasn't a risk-minimizing choice. It felt great as I imagined my stability extending down through the rock and mountain. For what it is worth, here's a great site for Mount Diablo hikes.

Wednesday, 4 July 2007 I didn't have much time this morning, so I made a quick trip to the Purisima Creek Redwoods preserve. I came up highway 35 ("Skyline Boulevard") from the south, and started from the parking area PCO3A (the south-eastern-most parking area). I only had 45 minutes to walk, but the trees were worth the trip. My goal was to tempt myself to come back for a longer trip in the future, and I succeeded at that. I headed north-ish as I drove away from the parking area, toward highway 92 and Redwood City. I didn't have time to stop and really enjoy the beautiful vistas, but they took my breath away regardless.