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, June 2, 2008

Little Yosemite!

Basically if you've seen one section of the East Bay Hills, you've seem them all! Also looks alot
like the West Bay Hills!

But we found a unique spot in the midst of the Sunol Regional Wilderness. (Calaveras Road exit
off of 680) It's a

portion of the East Bay Regional Park System that resembles Yosemite

National Park. Hence the nickname. It's a section of creek bed that is

covered with huge boulders and lots of waterfalls. We had a blast hiking

around on the rocks.

The roots of this tree have grown around the rocks!


Jeanette needed rescuing from a precarious position

One of many little waterfalls

More roots and rocks

Janeen next to the waterfall

Jeanette and Cheryl

Rocks with purple stuff on them

Close up of rock in root


Dan and Janeen


3 Little Waterfalls

Cheryl navigating the rocks

Cheryl and Jeanette

Dan against a blue rock. (Not color enhanced)



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2 comments:

Shellee said...

Jan look at your calves! So what would you think about meeting up with me for a muir woods hike friday the 20th????

June 3, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Terri said...

Jan, that Sunol hike is really neat. I loved the roots growing around those rocks. I've never seen anything like that before. It's awesome. Looks like you all had fun too from the pictures. And yeah your calves look great! Is Shellee coming to town??

June 4, 2008 at 3:00 PM

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