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    101 Great Hikes Above Silicon Valley: Pre-planned trail adventures for all ability levels of hikers, runners, bikers, horses...and even dogs
    101 Great Hikes Above Silicon Valley: Pre-planned trail adventures for all ability levels of hikers, runners, bikers, horses...and even dogs
    101 Great Hikes Above Silicon Valley: Pre-planned trail adventures for all ability levels of hikers, runners, bikers, horses...and even dogs
    Ebook132 pages1 hour

    101 Great Hikes Above Silicon Valley: Pre-planned trail adventures for all ability levels of hikers, runners, bikers, horses...and even dogs

    By Miriam Nuney

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    About this ebook

    For years our hiking group scouted out the best trails in the best parks, plus discovered little-used entrances that don't charge parking fees. Now you, too, can enjoy the outdoor beauty surrounding Silicon Valley with little more effort than stepping into your shoes and heading out, whether on foot, bicycle, or horse--or with your dog.

    This guide is conveniently organized into four geographic regions so you can plan your hike depending on proximity, weather, or interest. Four parks are highlighted as "Hidden Gems" as our hiking group's favorites, and two nearby "Out-of-Area Gems" are included for those willing to drive slightly farther for a truly wonderful experience.

    In this guide you will find profiles for each of 37 local parks detailing:

    Why to go to this particular park and what makes it special;
    When is the best season or time to go, including consideration of weather;
    What to expect once you get there--types of trails, sun or shade, restroom and picnic facilities, and if fees are charged;
    Who can use this park--bikers, horses, and dogs are not allowed in every park;
    Where to find maps and the trail head to start your adventure;
    How to get there from the main highways cutting through Silicon Valley;
    Plus... an exact trail route each for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced (in most parks).

    We also describe how we've objectively assigned difficulty levels to each hike, so you can decide which level best matches your current ability. A separate list of 31 Beginner, 37 Intermediate, and 33 Advanced Hikes ranked by distance and indexed by region is included.

    For those new to hiking, there is an overview of hiking basics and its health benefits, how to plan for your trek, obstacles to anticipate, and how to pace yourself.

    For experienced hikers and runners, we'll introduce you to gradually-increasing challenges in terms of mileage, total climb, and degree of slope on each planned trail adventure. Each level offers a range of difficulty, so you can start out slowly and gradually increase your stamina until you are handling the toughest, longest climbs easily.

    For those of you pursuing trail adventures on a bike or horse, or in the company of a dog, you'll find a comprehensive cross-index of suitable parks--24 for bikers, 30 for horses, and 13 for dogs.

    This book will be invaluable to current hikers who want to explore new venues, anyone needing to plan a hike for a group outing, and out-of-town visitors who want a quick tour of our beckoning hills before returning home after the experience of a lifetime.

    If you'd rather join our hiking group, you will find contact information in the eBook.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMiriam Nuney
    Release dateApr 30, 2012
    ISBN9781476288314
    101 Great Hikes Above Silicon Valley: Pre-planned trail adventures for all ability levels of hikers, runners, bikers, horses...and even dogs
    Author

    Miriam Nuney

    Miriam Nuney has lived in Silicon Valley for decades, a transplant from the flat plains of Illinois. After years of commuting in rush-hour traffic, staring longingly at the gold and green hills and wishing she was breathing fresh air instead of exhaust fumes, she determined to find a way to explore that tantalizing wilderness. Much to her delight, she discovered that most of the "undeveloped" greenbelts visible from the highways were already ribboned with publicly accessible trails. Once the hiking bug bit her big, she dragged her husband out with her, convinced the exercise would do them both good. After shedding many pounds and getting into the best shape of their lives, they started inviting people to join them to discover the joys of getting above the stresses that technology can't cure, but nature still can. They've hiked every Saturday morning since, through rain and snow, wind and heat, but mostly through the absolutely gorgeous Silicon Valley weather. They've helped others overcome health limitations, recuperate from injuries, and overcome their fear of the unknown outdoors. In the process they've created an ever-growing group of friends who like to hike--and introduced many local Silicon Valley residents to what natural riches abound right in their own backyard. To join their hiking group at no charge, send an email to JohnMiriamNuney@aol.com. For comments or suggestions about this ebook, email the author directly at MNuney@aol.com. Author Profile Picture provided courtesy of Denise Herbst.

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      Book preview

      101 Great Hikes Above Silicon Valley - Miriam Nuney

      101 Great Hikes Above Silicon Valley

      Pre-planned Trail Adventures

      for all levels

      of

      Hikers

      Runners

      Bikers

      Horses

      ...and even Dogs

      by Miriam Nuney

      Copyright 2012 EndSource Management, Inc.

      Smashwords Edition

      All rights reserved

      Cover photo taken at Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve (one of our Hidden Gems) is provided courtesy of Robert L. McQueer. All rights reserved.

      This ebook is intended as a guide only, and is accurate to the author's knowledge as of the time of its writing. Trails change frequently, and the reader is advised to check the particular park's conditions and any updates before heading out. The advice may not be suitable for every person. The author is not liable for any injuries experienced as a result of using this guide.

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Why hiking is good for you

      About our hiking experience

      Hiking ability levels and statistical measures used

      How this book is organized

      Basic hiking tips

      Before you go

      List of 101 great hikes in 37 different parks, with detailed park profiles and trail routes

      HIDDEN GEMS

      Northern Hike: Wunderlich County Park

      Western Hike: Hidden Villa

      Southern Hike: Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve

      Eastern Hike: Alum Rock Park and Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve

      NORTHERN HIKES with a brief description of the typical features of the region

      El Corte De Madera Open Space Preserve

      Huddart County Park

      Los Trancos Open Space Preserve

      Pescadero Creek Park Complex

      Portola Redwoods State Park

      Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve

      Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

      Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

      WESTERN HIKES with a brief description of the typical features of the region

      Big Basin Redwood State Park

      Butano State Park

      Castle Rock State Park

      Cowell (Henry) Redwoods State Park—Fall Creek Unit

      Fremont Older Open Space Preserve

      Long Ridge Open Space Preserve

      Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

      Sanborn County Park

      Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve

      Stevens Creek (Upper) County Park

      SOUTHERN HIKES with a brief description of the typical features of the region

      Almaden Quicksilver County Park

      Calero County Park

      Coe (Henry W.) State Park

      Coyote Lake—Harvey Bear Ranch County Park

      Mount Madonna County Park

      Santa Teresa County Park

      Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve

      Uvas Canyon County Park

      EASTERN HIKES with a brief description of the typical features of the region

      Del Valle Regional Park

      Grant (Joseph D.) County Park

      Mission Peak Regional Preserve

      Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park

      Sunol Regional Wilderness

      OUT-OF-AREA GEMS WORTH THE TRIP

      Pinnacles National Monument

      Point Lobos State Reserve

      24 Parks allowing bikers

      30 Parks allowing horses

      13 Parks allowing dogs

      31 Beginner Hikes from shortest mileage to longest

      37 Intermediate Hikes from shortest mileage to longest

      33 Advanced Hikes from shortest mileage to longest

      Acknowledgments

      WHY HIKING IS GOOD FOR YOU

      Silicon Valley has more miles of trails per capita in its surrounding hills than any other metropolitan area in the country. Its parks are easily accessible and offer a variety of terrain, weather conditions, and challenges, especially suitable for beginners. If you can walk, you can hike.

      Hiking is a unique form of exercise in that it:

      *Works lungs and all major muscles for hours, building endurance and core strength.

      *Offers fun and adventure in the clean, fresh air.

      *Builds confidence, for men and women, from overcoming obstacles and new challenges.

      *Offers a break from a high-tech, stressful environment--cell coverage is rare on trail.

      *Can be a social outing, too, with additional lung workout by talking while walking uphill.

      *Has proven to reduce the symptoms of chronic asthma and diabetes, plus quickened weight loss and injury recuperation.

      Talk to your doctor before beginning any new exercise program, and to determine what level of hiking your current physical condition can tolerate—Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced.

      ABOUT OUR HIKING EXPERIENCE

      My husband John and I founded our hiking group after tiring of walking the same city streets for exercise. A former Boy Scout, John helped me learn new skills on the trail and confidence to tackle anything, soon leading to overnight backpacking trips in the Sierras, my lifelong dream.

      We wanted to share our knowledge of the local trails and our enthusiasm for hiking as great exercise, eventually introducing dozens of others to its joys and challenges—and obstacles, too. Along the way, we accumulated additional success stories of weight loss and health gains, which only convinced us that we had stumbled on a truly life-altering activity. Our hiking companions have ranged in age from 10 to 72 years old, from true beginners to ultra-marathoners, and included bikers, equestrians, and dog-lovers.

      We searched out offbeat trails and back-door entrances to even the well-known parks, in order to escape the bustle of Silicon Valley for at least a few hours and savor the riches nature offers all around us. Even experienced hikers are pleasantly surprised by hidden waterfalls and picnic nooks we uncover as part of the joys of discovery.

      Anyone who wants to hike with a group can join us Saturday mornings just by emailing us at JohnMiriamNuney@aol.com. All levels of experience are welcome, and there is no charge to come with us.

      HIKING ABILITY LEVELS AND STATISTICAL MEASURES USED

      The basic variations in any hike are the length, climb, slope, and speed. On some hikes that are especially steep, the distance has been shortened to compensate. You can always hike faster or slower to accommodate your ability level, too.

      Hiking is generally done at half the speed of your walking pace on streets due to climbs.

      Frequency of hiking will lead to progression through levels. Weekly is best, bi-weekly minimum for progression. Hiking less than bi-weekly will maintain your current level.

      Trail and weather conditions can affect the difficulty of the hike.

      Your physical condition that day can affect difficulty of the hike—be aware of your body's needs.

      If you are not certain of your capabilities, try an easier hike and calibrate your ability for future hikes based on how well you handled the distance, climb, and slope. This guide offers a range of both easier and harder hikes in each of three hiking levels, depending on the location. Start easy and work your way up.

      It is NOT recommended to try a higher level hike before you are ready, unless you are willing to turn around and retrace steps if trail becomes too much for you to handle.

      MILES is the estimated total mileage of the planned route, the most important ability variable.

      CLIMB is the estimated total feet ascended each hike, counting the accumulation of all the uphill.

      SLOPE is a measurement of the estimated maximum steepness of a particular 0.5 miles climb on that hike. For ease of understanding, visualize a typical staircase in a home—that is a 45-degree angle, or 100% climb. A 30-degree angle, therefore, is 66% slope, a 5-degree angle a little more than 10% slope. The steepest hills usually are cut with switchbacks, making the ascent easier.

      HOW THIS BOOK IS ORGANIZED

      The 37 parks are grouped geographically first, then alphabetically by park name. Unless otherwise noted, each park contains three hikes, one suitable for each ability level--Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.

      NORTHERN HIKES from Hwy 92 south to Page Mill Rd;

      WESTERN HIKES from Page Mill Rd south to north of Hwy 17/Hwy 85 out to coast;

      SOUTHERN HIKES from Hwy 17/Hwy 85 south to Gilroy/Hwy 152;

      EASTERN HIKES off Hwy 680 between Hwy 280/Hwy 101 interchange and Hwy 580.

      One park from each of the geographic regions has been highlighted as a HIDDEN GEM at the beginning of the book. Two additional OUT OF AREA GEMS are added at the end.

      For easy reference, parks allowing bikers, horses, and dogs are listed separately at the end. You can also identify hikes fitting your specific distance requirements in the subsequent lists of hikes sorted by each ability level, then by total mileage. While runners are allowed at any park, you should check the climb, slope, and any specific park or trail warnings as to the suitability of the trails for a sustained run.

      Each park contains the following details:

      PARK NAME, Closest Town

      Organizational Entity Responsible for Park

      Linked Web Address You should visit the main web site to get updated information on current trail/weather conditions, possible trail closures, and any other precautions you should take. Maps not available at the trail head should be printed out from here.

      Information on where to find maps before you set out on the trail.

      WHY TO GO: A brief description of the park and some of the unique sights you will discover. Any historical ruins or other must see features of the park are included here. Specifically,

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