Sunday, October 29, 2006
A Walk in the Woods on an Autumn Afternoon
Rhus Ridge/Black Mountain Trail (Los Altos, CA)
At the top of the climb from Rhus Ridge Parking Lot
© Frank Crossman,www.openspace.orgFor those who enjoy outdoor activities the weather couldn't get any better. Soon the rains will come but even then the conditions rarely get bad enough to stop runners and hikers from taking advantage of what the Bay area has to offer. One can almost say "so many trails, so little time". It is also that time of the year when the wild mushrooms begin to appear. I look only for chanterelles -- delicious and easy to identify. The winter of 2005/6 was especially bountiful.
A few days back JHL and went to hike at Rhus Ridge, off Moody Road, less than a mile past Foothill College.
Autumn leaves at Rancho San Antonio
© Karl Gohl,www.openspace.orgThe trail begins with a steep 0.9 mile climb to the top where there is a choice of heading south past the former Windmill Pasture site towards Rancho San Antonio or taking the Black Mountain Trail on the right. Ascending Black Mountain is arduous. The 4.9 mile trail from Rhus Ridge parking lot involves a climb of 2800 feet. We have done that but last Tuesday we hiked a shorter loop. From the Black Mountain Trail, just over a mile past the junction of trails at Windmill Pasture meadow we made a dogleg to the right towards Duveneck Hidden Valley Ranch. Immediately on the left is a grove of trees with a view to the west.
We sat down there for a picnic lunch. Chicken drumsticks baked in crushed tomatoes, artichoke hearts, seasoned with tarragon, salt and pepper; roasted sweet potatoes, washed down with a half bottle of merlot. Then we had coffee, apple and dark chocolate. All was right with the world.
On the hike back we went down to Pipeline Trail, followed the creek and turned right to climb up Ewing Hill. The switchback trail makes it easier. It took us back to Black Mountain Trail. We turned left, hiked back to the Windmill Pasture meadow and descended to the parking lot. The downhiill part can be hard on the knees; hiking poles help.
On the return leg we met Gayla Johnson, the ultra marathoner, who was on a run wearing knee braces. She stopped to talk for a few minutes. Gayla completed the Western States 100 mile endurance run in California from Squaw Valley to Auburn .....four times. Amazing feat. This 2000 photograph shows her leaving Foresthill (62 miles from Squaw Valley).
©www.run100s.com
On the return leg we met Gayla Johnson, the ultra marathoner, who was on a run wearing knee braces. She stopped to talk for a few minutes. Gayla completed the Western States 100 mile endurance run in California from Squaw Valley to Auburn .....four times. Amazing feat. This 2000 photograph shows her leaving Foresthill (62 miles from Squaw Valley).
©www.run100s.com
