Hiking Hints (Learned the Hard Way)

*Always tell someone where you will be hiking, in case you don't come back!
*Always carry a cell phone. Most areas get cell coverage because many trails go along mountain tops.
*Always have a trail map of the hiking area. Many trails are very poorly marked.
*Don't wander off the trail. There is likely to be poison oak in the brush. Learn to recognize it, but remember it is still active in the winter when all it is a stick.
*Use a walking stick for steep trails. It saves strain on the knees and can double as a weapon if you encounter mountain lions or wild boar. (Which you most likely won't)
*Always take water with you.
*Use sunblock or you will end up looking like a piece of rawhide.
*Keep granola bars or other non-perishable snacks in your pocket or backpack.
*Have a jacket with you that can be tied around your waist in case of chilly weather.
*Ibuprofen is an essential item for your pocket also.
*In cold weather kleenex comes in handy for your nose. It's an essential for women too on long hikes with small bladders.
*A pedometer is a fun item to use so you can brag to your friends about how far you walked!
*Leave enough time so that you will not be caught with the sun setting and you're still out on the trail.
*Avoid walking through tall grass. Ticks love to wait on a stalk of grass and jump on your leg as you pass. Ticks infected with Lyme disease have been found in the Santa Cruz Mountains and other areas of California. Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. (A tick remover is a handy device for your backpack.)
*If you do encounter a Mountain Lion, calmly repeat "nice kitty, kitty" while backing away slowly.
*Be careful where you sit and put your hands, especially around sunny rocks. Rattlesnakes like to sunbathe there and will resent your intrusion. (A snake bite kit is another handy item to carry.) By the way, you probably won't die if you get bit by a rattlesnake.
*One of the most important items to carry is Chapstick. Huffing and puffing uphill can really dry out your lips.
*Sucking on hard candy can help with a dry mouth from all that huffing and puffing too.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Hiking to Mt Umunhum

Mt Umunhum is the 4th highest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is 3486 feet tall. It means "resting place of the hummingbird" in Ohlone. It is a former Air Force Early Warning Base and is off limits because of toxic contamination. One cannot hike all the way to the top.

It was a chilly, overcast day that Dan, Cheryl and I hiked 6.6 miles along Woods Trail. This trail would have ended up at Lexington Reservoir if we were to continue another 10 miles or so.

Mt Umunhum in the Distance



Woods Trail


Jan and Dan.


Mt Umunhum


View of the Santa Clara Valley
Posted by at
Labels:

3 comments:

lucruri said...

hi. i liked your story. for me is only a story but i like to see people who do something about their lives.it is very encouraging. thank you. and your pictures are very beautiful.

April 7, 2008 at 3:29 AM
Shellee said...

I like the way you've rearranged into posts. jetblue keeps doing low airfare into sanfrancisco, so i think when my granmda does pass away, i'll come out there for a day or two with my mom. your hiking is amazing, and i'd love to join you one day.

April 7, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Lynn Guillermo said...

My husband and I have fallen in love with this place. We were there last Tuesday when it snowed to hike it and there again this past Saturday to run it. We are avid runners. Right now my husband can only power walk. He just had back surgery about a month ago...

December 14, 2009 at 1:53 PM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)