17 weeks and 5 days to go

Peru watch... 18 weeks and counting!

On January 13th, having declined our breakfast pizza, but replete with
homemade bread and fresh ground coffee, a group of 8 piled into a 7
passenger van and departed for Rancho and the first scheduled Peru
conditioning hike.  We had a cool, sunny day, and a comfortable 3 1/2 hour
hike along the PG&E trail.  Trailside photos documented our progress, and
new hiking gear was tested. Watch out Peru... we'll be ready!


CHANGE: Friday nite yoga moved to 6:30PM.
Weekly yoga/stretch break every Friday at Judy's.  Drop in when you can.
Bring clothing you can stretch in, a mat or beach towel for floor stretches.


NEXT SCHEDULED HIKES:  Show up when you can.  Whoever is there at the start
time is "the group of the day"

1. Saturday Jan 27th: Hike (part of) the Almaden Quicksilver trail.  Meet
at 8AM.
There are 25 miles of trails, many following old roads that lead to the
mercury-producing cinnabar ore mines that were once the most productive
quicksilver mines in the world.  A mining Museum at 21570 Almaden Rd is
open Saturdays from 1-4.
Directions: There are 3 entrances: Almaden Road, Mockingbird Hill, and
McAbee Road.  We are meeting at the Almaden Road entrance: Almaden
Expressway to Almaden Rd & go 1 1/2 miles on Almaden Rd to the park
entrance. Meet in the parking lot.

2. Saturday Feb 10th: Sawyer Camp Trail.  Meeting time to be determined.
A narrow, winding, 6 mile long paved trail (with optional extension at the
north end) through San Francisco watershed lands.  Views of Crystal Springs
Lakes.  This lush, frequently deer-filled bit of woodland belies its
proximity to 280 and our fast-paced civilization.
Directions: 280 north to Bunker Hill Drive exit, cross over the freeway,
then go north on Skyline Blvd past Crystal Springs Dam to the entrance
gate.  Parking is on the side of the road.

3. Saturday Feb 24th: Forest of Nisene Marks.  Meeting time to be determined.
Directions: not found yet :)


Hiking Suggestions: Layer your clothing with a wind breaker on top.  Bring
a small day pack to hold water, snacks, clothing.  Bring sunglasses and
sunscreen.  Use these hikes to test what you'll need (or won't need) in Peru.
Snack suggestions:
Small packs of dry fruit or trail mix
Granola  or other energy bars
PB&J sandwiches

List of suggested hikes: (PLEASE write and add to the list)
Stevens Creek  off of Stevens Canyon Road
Mount Umunum (sp?)
Castle Rock