MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Celebrating Over 45 Years of Open Space Preservation

QUARTERLYVIEWS NEWS ON OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION AND PROGRAMS • FALL 2017

Find Your Connection Atop Mount Umunhum ount Umunhum’s towering summit opens to the public for the fi rst time this fall thanks to you, local voters, who made it possible by passing M Measure AA. Beginning Monday, September 18 we welcome you to connect with and experience this special place. Gain Perspective Immerse Yourself in Nature

Enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of our region including As the peak is restored its serpentine geology and unique San Francisco, Monterey Bay, the Pacifi c Ocean and sometimes community of plants and animals are revealed. Join our even the Sierras from ADA-accessible viewpoints. docents for a guided look at Mount Umunhum’s natural history. Discover a Rich History Explore New Trails

Delve into Mount Umunhum’s fascinating past going back Bike, hike or horseback ride (sorry, no dogs) up to the summit thousands of years through interpretive exhibits. Download from Bald parking area using the 3.7-mile, the audio tour to hear Air Force veterans, Native Americans newly-constructed Mt. Umunhum Trail. Enjoy views, and others tell their stories about life on the mountain. woodlands and the headwaters of Guadalupe Creek.

Know Before You Go at www.mountumunhum.org

Prepare for all Weather Bring Water and Snacks Conditions at 3,486 feet can be extreme, even None are available at the summit. on a pleasant day at lower elevations. Get Directions Leave the Dog Home The summit can be reached by Mt. Umunhum Road And thanks for packing out what or Trail. Plan ahead at www.mountumunhum.org. you pack in.

Help create Mount Umunhum’s next chapter as one of the Bay Area’s great publicly accessible peaks by sharing your stories and adventures atop Mount Umunhum on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using #Mountumunhum and @mrosd. A MMessageessage ffromrom tthehe GGeneraleneral MManageranager

Karl Gohl Promises Kept he arrival of fall always feels like a promise kept. Summer’s heat turns brilliant wildfl owers to parchment and bakes the hills golden brown. Much of life goes dormant, as it should. Then, signs of fall begin appearing everywhere in nature reassuring T us that life-giving rains are ahead. Some stand out, like this year’s abundant poison oak turning crimson, and noisy young Cooper’s and red-shouldered hawks preparing to leave their parents. Others are subtle, like the deeper blue of the sky and that unexpected fi rst cool morning so

familiar in memory. And so it goes each year. I see changes going on all Douglas Wirnowski around me here at Midpen, too. Projects begun and successfully completed that are signs of promises we have made to you being kept. Some stand out, like the opening of Mount Umunhum’s summit this September, with and Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserves soon to follow suit. Others are harder to see, like legislation we’re sponsoring that will enable us to purchase land in the upper Guadalupe Watershed and more quickly and cost effectively deliver public access projects to you. There are too many to mention. I encourage you to peruse the vision plan and our annual accomplishments report on our website and learn

about the many ways we’re serving the public by protecting, restoring Midpen Staff and creating access to local open space. Randy Weber “We consider it our privilege Midpen’s projects are life giving, too. Improved stock to complete these projects ponds at La Honda Creek and keep our promises Open Space Preserve had to you.” more red-legged frogs in them this year than ever before. A newly awarded $1 million-dollar grant allows us to improve forest health in Bear Larry Turino Creek Redwoods. The restoration of Mount Umunhum’s summit supports the return of species like the purple martin. There has even been a possible California condor sighting. Chris Terry We consider it our privilege to complete these projects and keep our promises to you. Our hope is that each of you benefi t

from them by being able to breathe clean Brian Fair air, drink clean water, eat local food and Julie Andersen get outdoors to observe the many signs in nature promising fall’s arrival. Karl Gohl Clockwise starting in upper left: La Honda Creek OSP; Red-shouldered hawk, Rancho San Antonio OSP; Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP; View from OSP, Guadalupe Reservoir in Stephen E. Abbors distance; La Honda Creek OSP; Monte Bello OSP; Purisima Creek General Manager Karl Gohl Redwoods OSP; Blue Martin Nesting box, Sierra Azul OSP; and Bear Creek Redwoods OSP

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Board of Directors Pete Siemens—Ward 1 (Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga) | Yoriko Kishimoto—Ward 2 (Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Stanford, Sunnyvale) Jed Cyr—Ward 3 (Sunnyvale) | Curt Riffl e—Ward 4 (Los Altos, Mountain View) | Nonette G. Hanko—Ward 5 (East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Stanford) Larry Hassett—Ward 6 (Atherton, Menlo Park, Pescadero, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Gregorio, Woodside) Cecily Harris—Ward 7 (El Granada, Half Moon Bay, Montara, Moss Beach, Redwood City, San Carlos, Woodside)

Stephen E. Abbors—General Manager | Peggy Gibbons—Open Space Views Editor | Renée Fitzsimons—Outdoor Activities Editor 2 Outdoor Activities FALL 2017 | September – October – November

MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT

GENERAL INFORMATION

ith this newsletter in hand and a The activity durations listed are averages W sense of exploration in mind, we based on our experience. However, invite you to enjoy the Midpeninsula always allow extra time in your schedule Regional Open Space District preserves. for unusual circumstances, or the slower These 26 extraordinary preserves include pace of some groups. You can help by over 62,000 acres of permanently protected arriving a little early to ensure a prompt open space, from redwood forests to bay start for each activity. The activities are shoreline. We encourage you to participate FREE; some require reservations. in the wide variety of adventures offered inside Outdoor Activities. All activities are developed and led by docents who have completed a District training program. These docents volunteer Rancho San Antonio their time to share their knowledge of nature Open Space Preserve with you. For more information about the volunteer docent program, visit the District’s website at www.openspace.org, or phone the District at 650-691-1200 weekdays, 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. Karl Gohl

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve Frank Crossman

ACTIVITY GUIDELINES

To Ensure Your Experience is Enjoyable, Please Review this Information • Please be courteous to other trail users. • Equestrians must provide their own horses Stay alert and make your presence known to (no stallions). Lead lines are required and other trail users well in advance, particularly breast collars are recommended for all when approaching from behind. horses, and helmets must be worn by all • Heavy rain cancels hike activities unless riders under age 18. otherwise noted in the description. If there • For all hikes, wear boots or sturdy is light rain or the threat of rain, go to the walking shoes appropriate for rugged Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

meeting place. Docents will plan to meet trails. Dress in layers (T-shirt, long-sleeved Anne-Sophie Gaudet participants – hike route or duration may be shirt, sweater, and/or jacket). The weather altered due to weather and trail conditions. can be unpredictable. No matter what Special Note • Participants are encouraged to make season it is, be prepared for rain, wind, If you have a group of 8 or more people who would like to attend a personal decisions on comfort and fog, or sun! docent-led activity listed here, please willingness to drive or hike in stormy • Carry ample drinking water with you. Water is not available on preserves. contact the Docent Program Manager to or threatening weather conditions. discuss in advance at 650 -691-1200 • For a mountain bike or horseback ride, • Bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen) or [email protected]. Other heavy rain within two days prior to the and consider insect repellent. arrangements may need to be activity will cancel it. • Restrooms are not always available; considered for your group. • Hikers yield to horses; bicyclists yield to please plan accordingly. hikers and horses. Observe trail speed • Please carpool if possible. Parking is Header photo: Monte Bello Open Space limits (15 mph max; 5 mph when passing). limited in some locations. Preserve by Frank Crossman 3 PICCHETTI RANCH WHERE TO MEET From the intersection of I-280 and Foothill Expressway, go 3.5 miles southwest (toward the ) on Foothill Directions to preserves featured in this season’s schedule of Outdoor Activities are Boulevard/Stevens Canyon Road. Turn listed below. Some preserves have more than one access point. Some activities meet at different locations than where the activity will actually occur. If an activity does not right on Montebello Road. The Preserve meet at the preserve listed, or if there is more than one preserve access point, the is 0.5 miles up Montebello Rd. on the left. alternate meeting location will be indicated in italics on a separate line following PULGAS RIDGE the preserve name as part of the activity header. (For example: Skyline Ridge From I-280, exit Edgewood Road. Drive Meet: Russian Ridge or Russian Ridge Meet: Caltrans vista point). If no information follows the preserve name, then refer to the detailed directions for the preserve or 0.75 miles on Edgewood Rd. toward San alternate meeting location listed below. Carlos/Redwood City. Turn left (north) on Crestview Drive, then immediately turn left Note: Restrooms are not always available; please plan accordingly. on Edmonds Road. Follow Edmonds Rd. PLEASE CHECK THE LISTED DESCRIPTION TO MAKE SURE YOU MEET YOUR to the Preserve parking lot entrance on ACTIVITY LEADER AT THE CORRECT LOCATION. the right. PURISIMA CREEK REDWOODS North Ridge parking lot: This entrance DANIELS NATURE CENTER FREMONT OLDER is on Skyline Boulevard next to the now Park at the Russian Ridge Preserve parking Meet at the Preserve parking lot on closed Kings Mountain Country Store. The lot on the northwest corner of the Skyline Prospect Road in Cupertino. Exit parking lot is 4.5 miles south of Highway Boulevard (Highway 35) and Page Mill/ Highway 85 at De Anza Boulevard. 92, and 8.1 miles north of Highway 84. Alpine Road intersection (across Skyline (From northbound 85 turn left on Blvd. on the right). Walk to Alpine Pond De Anza Blvd. and from southbound Purisima Creek Road entrance: From the at Skyline Ridge Preserve by going through 85 turn right on De Anza Blvd.) Travel on Highway 92 and Highway 1 intersection in Half Moon Bay, travel south on Highway 1 the tunnel under Alpine Rd. The Nature De Anza Blvd. (toward the mountains) for approximately 4.3 miles. Turn left on Verde Center is a small gray building on the about 0.5 miles. Turn right on Prospect Rd.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL 2017 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL Road. After turning on Verde Rd. and east shore of Alpine Pond. At the fi rst stop sign, turn left and cross the traveling 0.25 miles, continue straight to railroad tracks to remain on Prospect Rd. remain on what becomes Purisima EDGEWOOD COUNTY PARK Follow Prospect Rd. for 1.3 miles, turning Exit I-280 at Edgewood Road. Head Creek Road. (Verde Rd. splits off to the left after the Saratoga Country Club, until right.) Travel approximately 3.7 miles on east on Edgewood Rd. about 1 mile to you reach the Preserve parking lot. the park entrance on the right (at Old Purisima Creek Rd. to reach the Preserve. Stagecoach Road). LONG RIDGE Peters Creek Trailhead: Meet at the roadside pullout area on the west side Meet at the Preserve parking lot located of Skyline Boulevard, 3.6 miles north of on the west side of Highway 35 (Skyline Highway 9 or 3.3 miles south of Page Mill Boulevard), about 1-mile south of the Road. If you are coming from the north on Caltrans Skeggs Point parking area and Skyline Blvd., the pullout is just past Portola 2.7 miles north of the intersection of Heights Road on the right. From the south, Highway 35 and Highway 84. the pullout is near the Palo Alto city limits Skeggs Point: Meet at the Caltrans vista sign on the right. There is additional park- point on the east side of Skyline Boulevard, ing across Skyline Blvd. at the Grizzly Flat about 4 miles north of La Honda Road trailhead (Santa Clara County Park). (Highway 84) and 1.5 miles south of Kings

Mountain Road. Please note that Caltrans LOS TRANCOS Karl Gohl prohibits a left turn into the parking lot Meet at the Preserve parking lot on when approaching from the north along Page Mill Road (across from Monte Bello Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve Skyline Blvd. Preserve), 7 miles west of I-280 or 1.5 miles east of Skyline Boulevard. Those traveling RANCHO SAN ANTONIO from I-280 on Page Mill Rd. should allow From I-280, take Foothill Boulevard south approximately 35 minutes travel time. and turn right almost immediately onto Cristo Rey Drive. Continue about 1 mile, MONTE BELLO veer right around the traffi c circle, and Meet at the Preserve parking lot on turn left into the park. Go to the lot farthest Page Mill Road (across from Los Trancos to the right and meet near the restroom at Preserve), 7 miles west of I-280 or 1.5 miles the bottom of the hill. east of Skyline Boulevard. Those traveling RUSSIAN RIDGE from I-280 on Page Mill Rd. should allow Meet at the main Preserve parking lot approximately 35 minutes travel time. on the northwest corner of the Skyline Midpen Staff Boulevard (Highway 35) and Page Mill/ Alpine Road intersection (across Skyline Blvd. on the right). Those traveling from I-280 on Page Mill Rd. should allow El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve approximately 40 minutes travel time. 4 RUSSIAN RIDGE (continued) SIERRA AZUL (continued) WINDY HILL Mindego Gateway parking lot: From Bald Mountain parking lot: Exit Highway 85 From I-280, exit Alpine Road in Portola I-280, exit Page Mill Road and head west. at Camden Avenue. (From northbound Valley. Go south on Alpine Rd. about Drive about 9 miles to the junction with Hwy. 85 turn left on Branham Avenue and 2.9 miles to Portola Road (the fi rst stop Skyline Boulevard, cross over Skyline then turn left on Camden Ave. and from sign). Turn right on Portola Rd. and travel Boulevard and on to Alpine Road. southbound Hwy. 85 turn left on Camden 0.8 miles to the parking lot on the left side Continue on Alpine Rd. for 1.5 miles. Ave.) Travel on Camden Ave. about of the road. Parking area is on the right. Allow 1.6 miles to Hicks Road and turn right, 45 minutes travel time from I-280. and travel for about 6.3 miles. Turn right on Mt. Umunhum Rd. and continue for SIERRA AZUL about 1.7 miles. The parking lot will be Jacques Ridge parking lot: Exit Highway 85 on the left. at Camden Avenue. (From northbound Hwy. 85 turn left on Branham Avenue and SKYLINE RIDGE then turn left on Camden Ave. and from Meet at the Preserve parking lot on Skyline southbound Hwy. 85 turn left on Camden Boulevard located one mile south of the Ave.) Travel on Camden Ave. about Skyline Blvd. (Highway 35) and Page Mill/ 1.6 miles. Turn right on Hicks Rd. and Alpine Road intersection. After entering the travel for about 6.3 miles. Turn right Preserve, turn right and go to the farthest on Mt. Umunhum Rd. The Preserve parking lot. Those traveling from I-280 on parking lot will be on the right. Page Mill Rd. should allow approximately

45 minutes travel time. Karl Gohl

Miramontes Ridge Open Space Preserve

KEY TO SYMBOLS 2017 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL

Easy Hike: Flat to gently rolling hills. Total elevation gain Dogs on leash: Well-behaved and socialized dogs are less than 200 feet. Leisurely pace. allowed, and must be controlled on a maximum six-foot leash.

Moderate Hike: Steeper or more frequent uphill grades. Total Equestrian Ride: Riders under age 18 must wear a elevation gain 200 to 600 feet. Leisurely to moderate pace. helmet. Lead lines are required and breast collars are Strenuous Hike: Steep hills and/or long distances. Total recommended for horses. Equestrians must provide their elevation gain greater than 600 feet. Moderate to own horses (no stallions). vigorous pace. Reservations required: Reservations for activities Suitable for children: must be accompanied and supervised requiring them will only be accepted within the two by an adult. See the activity description for any additional (2)-week period just before the activity date. To make information. a reservation or a cancellation, visit the District’s Web site www.openspace.org/reservations or call Wheelchair accessible. 650-691-2150 (enter 2). If you provide information prior to the reservation acceptance period, it will not Stroller accessible: Jogger-type suggested. be processed. Please limit your reservation to a maximum of four (4) people. Meal/snack break: Bring a lunch, dinner, or snack as appropriate.

Easy Nature Ride: Slow, leisurely pace, minimal climbing, Advanced Mountain Bike Ride: Intended for participants and multiple stops to observe nature. with dirt single-track riding experience; competent at climbing and descending steep and rough trails. Moderate Introductory Mountain Bike Ride: Outings include to fast pace, 10+ mile ride on a wide variety of trail demonstration and practice emphasizing trail etiquette conditions. For experienced riders with a high level of and techniques required for dirt riding followed by a physical fitness and excellent endurance. 5- to 7-mile ride on fire roads and single-track trails, with occasional natural history stops. Riders should be in Note: For all rides, bicyclists must wear helmets and bikes good physical condition to perform climbs and descents. must be in good condition, and the participants must be very familiar with the operation of gears and brakes. Mountain Intermediate Mountain Bike Ride: Intended for participants bikes are strongly recommended for all except the Easy Nature with dirt single-track riding experience; able to climb and Rides. Easy Nature, Introductory, and Intermediate Rides descend steep and moderately-rough trails. Recreational include a natural history component that is provided by the ride at a moderate/brisk pace; 8+ miles on a wide range docents during the rest stops. Advanced rides develop and of fire roads and single-track trails. For experienced riders improve mountain bike skills – any natural history discussion in very good physical condition with good endurance. stops are secondary to the overall riding experience.

Healthy Parks, Healthy People – Bay Area: Introductory level and easy to moderate activities for people of various ages. Some activities have a health and wellness focus. Visit www.hphpbayarea.org.

5 Stop In and Explore Signs of Fall SEPTEMBER Saturday and Sunday Wednesday • September 6 September 2 and 3 Pulgas Ridge • 4.25 mi Wonders of Cherry Daniels Nature Center 9:00am to 12:00pm Springs Pond 12:00noon to 5:00pm Saturday • September 2 Enjoy seeing a variety of oak trees, plants As seasons change, so do the interactions Sierra Azul • 3 mi with berries, and dusky-footed woodrat of life at the edge of Alpine Pond…bring nests on this hike with docents Liz Foreman Meet: See text below family and friends to discover the David 9:00am to 1:00pm and Mary Jo Colton. You’ll hike along C. Daniels Nature Center on Saturdays the Blue Oak, Dick Bishop, Dusky-footed Join docents Greg Azevedo, Huey-Shin and Sundays this fall between 12:00 noon Woodrat, and Cordilleras Trails, and take Yuan, David Schwaderer, Emma Finter, and 5:00 pm. You can enjoy an audio in the scenic views from the top of the nature tour (loaner listening devices Nina Bell, and District staff Ellen Gartside ridge as you explore for signs that fall is available to “check out”), view displays for an easy hike at a special access area approaching. This moderately-paced hike about natural communities and larger-than- of this Preserve that will traverse mixed includes some hills and uneven terrain with life pond strata mobiles, take a pond evergreen forest and grassland. You’ll discuss an elevation gain of about 800 feet. prowl, study live aquatic organisms local history, and learn about the pond “borrowed” from Alpine Pond with the environment and fl ora of the area while assistance of a docent, or enjoy a picnic Explorer Hike: Late enjoying views of Santa Clara Valley and with your companions on nearby tables Summer Saunter the surrounding Preserve. (Note: Directions (pack out your own trash please!). Autumn Wednesday • September 6 will be sent. This activity includes is an amazing season for a visit. (Note: Picchetti Ranch • 4.5 mi some off-trail hiking; long pants are The Nature Center hours change on 10:30am to 2:30pm recommended and closed-toe shoes are October 14 to 11:00 am – 4:00 pm required.) Reservations are required and for the remainder of the season.) Join docents Kate Gudmundson, Lynn will be accepted on or after August 19. Jackson, and Mary Brunkhorst on this Earthquake Hike leisurely-paced hike along the beautiful Zinfandel Trail. Learn about and observe

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL 2017 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL Sunday • September 3 different strategies used by various plants Los Trancos • 2-3 mi to cope with dry summer conditions as they 2:00pm to 4:30pm wait for winter rains. You’ll lunch at picnic Join docents Dave and Judy Boore for a tables next to Stevens Creek. After lunch fun and educational hike along the San you’ll hike back through forest, chaparral, Andreas . On this leisurely stroll, and oak woodland while making an you’ll stop to discuss the wonder of plate approximately 600-foot elevation gain. tectonics, examine remnants left by thousands of major earthquakes, and learn Ohlone Footsteps how to prepare for future earthquakes. This Saturday • September 9 easy hike with minimal elevation change is Skyline Ridge • 2 mi well suited for children and those needing Meet: Russian Ridge a less physically challenging outing. 10:00am to 12:00pm Jack Gescheidt Bats of Alpine Pond Prior to European settlement, the Bay Area Sunday • September 3 was home to a mosaic of Native American Skyline Ridge • 1.5 mi tribal communities and many frequented the . Join docents Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Meet: Russian Ridge 6:30pm to 8:30pm Kim Borick and Sarah Schoen for a leisurely-paced hike with frequent stops Plants and Animals Join docents Karen DeMello and Jan along the Ipiwa and Sunny Jim Trails. of Alpine Pond Hintermeister to learn some facts and Historical perspective, including California Saturday • September 2 dispel some myths about one of the world’s native people’s management and use of Skyline Ridge • 2 mi most misunderstood mammals: the bat. As indigenous plants, animals, and raw Meet: Russian Ridge the sun goes down, you’ll hang out near materials will be shared. You’ll discover 12:00pm to 2:30pm the David C. Daniels Nature Center to see what brought the fi rst people time and whether bats appear over Alpine Pond, again to these mountains. Engaged children Who lives here? Why? How can you tell? returning to your car before darkness sets 12 years and older are welcome. Bring lunch Join docents Gerri Tiernan and Kim Borick in. Bring binoculars if you have them. to enjoy at Alpine Pond following the hike. for a leisurely exploration along the Pond Loop, Sunny Jim, and Ipiwa Trails. You’ll hear a little history and learn about plant Interested in Visiting Mount Umunhum on a Guided Hike? communities and habitats while looking for evidence of animals. The hike begins with a visit to the David C. Daniels Nature Center for a guided exploration of the Check this schedule now for a few opportunities to explore this displays. While the Nature Center is unique and special area of Sierra Azul Preserve with docents, and open to visitors of all ages, the hike is continue to check online at www.openspace.org/what-to-do/calendar appropriate for adults and capable to fi nd additional activities at the summit area and nearby trails. school age children. Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve by Frances Freyberg 6 Stop In and Explore Scenic Aerobic Hike I Explorer Hike: Saturday and Sunday Wednesday • September 13 Redwood Autumn September 9 and 10 Skyline Ridge • 5 mi Wednesday • September 20 Daniels Nature Center 10:00am to 1:00pm El Corte de Madera Creek • 4 mi 12:00noon to 5:00pm 10:30am to 2:30pm Join docents Louise Casey, Fran Keeler, Please see the activity description for Huey-Shin Yuan, and Mary Brunkhorst You’ll enjoy hiking under the forest canopy September 2. for a moderately-paced, exercise-focused with docents Lynn Jackson, Dennis Smith, hike on trails with beautiful scenery. Kate Gudmundson, and Mary Brunkhorst. “Scenic Aerobic” hikes are offered This moderately-paced hike with a 200-foot at different preserves every second and elevation gain will take you along the Sierra fourth Wednesday. The route of each hike Morena, Methuselah, and Fir Trails with a will be determined by the docents based visit to an old-growth redwood tree. You’ll on current trail and weather conditions. be introduced to history of the Preserve, (Note: These hikes will vary in diffi culty and learn about the fl ora and fauna of this from moderate to strenuous; please refer mixed evergreen and redwood forest. to the diffi culty rating to choose a hike suitable for you.) Skyline Birds and Berries Friday • September 22 Stop In and Explore Skyline Ridge • 4 mi Saturday and Sunday 8:30am to 12:00pm September 16 and 17 Late September is a good time to see birds Daniels Nature Center not usually seen at other times of the year 12:00noon to 5:00pm such as migrant duck, hawk, and songbird Please see the activity description species. Docents Bill and Marilyn Bauriedel, for September 2. and Farhana Kazi will identify and discuss

various bird habits and habitats with you, 2017 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL

Karl Gohl as well as be on the lookout for fall nuts Redwood Oxygen and berries. This leisurely-paced walk Sunday • September 17 with an elevation gain of about 400 feet Purisima Creek Redwoods • 5 mi will take you to Horseshoe Lake and Alpine Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve Meet: Purisima Creek Road entrance Pond, and through chaparral and oak 10:00am to 3:00pm woodland habitats. Cool Workout Among the Redwoods Find out why you’ll be breathing some of Sunday • September 10 the cleanest air in the world with docents Purisima Creek Redwoods • 10 mi Bob Segalla and Sam Berry on the Meet: North Ridge parking lot Purisima Creek and Craig Britton Trails. 9:00am to 1:30pm This moderately-paced, 500-foot elevation change hike is suitable for capable children Join docents Huey-Shin Yuan, Ray Curiel, and has a downhill return. Reservations are and Vivian Neou for a fast-paced exploration required and will be accepted on or after of giant redwoods and enjoy cool air on September 3. what could be a hot day. You’ll experience a 1,500-foot elevation gain workout along the Whittemore Gulch, Purisima Creek, Craig Introductory Geocaching Britton, Harkins Ridge, and North Ridge Sunday • September 17 Trails with a refreshing lunch break among Bear Creek Redwoods • 2 mi the trees. Meet: See text below

10:00am to 1:00pm Sandra Martin

The Redwood that Got Away Join docents Jenny Whitman and an REI El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve Tuesday • September 12 Outdoor School Instructor to search for El Corte de Madera Creek • 9 mi geocaches, or hidden treasures, using Meet: Skeggs Point GPS units supplied by REI. This fun and Stop In and Explore 10:00am to 3:30pm interactive outing is great for all ages. Saturday • September 23 You are encouraged to bring small trinkets Daniels Nature Center Explore the interior of this Preserve with (inexpensive children’s toys, less than 2 inches 12:00noon to 5:00pm docents Ed North and Huey-Shin Yuan. in length are ideal) to use as trade items for Please see the activity description for You’ll visit a tafoni sandstone formation and the cache. This activity is an introduction September 2. an old growth redwood tree, and hike the to geocaching and is geared toward the Resolution Trail named in honor of those fi rst-time geocacher, but all are welcome. who lost their lives in the 1953 DC-6 plane (Note: Directions will be sent. This activity (Note: The Daniels Nature Center will be crash. This fast-paced hike will include includes some off-trail hiking; long pants closed on Sunday, September 24 to allow approximately 1,500 feet elevation gain are recommended and closed-toe shoes are volunteers to attend the annual recognition along the Tafoni, Fir, Resolution, Methuselah, required.) Reservations are required and event held in their honor.) and Timberview Trails. will be accepted on or after September 3. 7 Scenic Aerobic Hike II Wednesday • September 27 Join Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and other agencies El Corte de Madera Creek • 6 mi and organizations around the San Francisco Bay Area in celebrating Meet: Skeggs Point our coast, bay, and waterways! September 16 – October 8, 2017 10:00am to 1:00pm is Coastweeks, an annual celebration of our coastal and water resources. Join docents Fran Keeler, Huey-Shin Yuan, Saturday, October 7, 2017 is the 2nd annual Bay Day. You’re invited to and Mary Brunkhorst for a moderately- go on a District docent-led hike or check out other events and activities paced, exercise-focused hike on trails with at coastal.ca.gov and bayday.org. beautiful scenery. “Scenic Aerobic” hikes are offered at different preserves every second and fourth Wednesday. The route of each hike will be determined by the docents based on current trail and weather conditions. (Note: Scenic Aerobic Hike II is a strenuous hike with about 1,000 feet Introductory Geocaching of gain.) OCTOBER Saturday • October 7 Los Trancos • 2-3 mi Oaks of Monte Bello Earthquake Hike 10:00am to 1:30pm Wednesday • September 27 Sunday • October 1 Monte Bello • 3.5 mi Los Trancos • 3 mi Join docents Debbie Mytels and Nina 10:00am to 2:00pm 2:00pm to 4:30pm Bell, and REI Outdoor School instructor, Join docents Steve Brugler, Noa Doitel, and and please see the activity description Join docents John Seyfarth and Paul Billig, for September 17. (Note: This activity Susan Bernhard to learn about the oak and please see the activity description for includes some off-trail hiking; long trees along the White Oak and Canyon September 3. pants are recommended and closed-toe Trails. You’ll also meet oak enthusiast shoes are required.) Reservations are OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL 2017 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL Al Keuter, who will help explain the required and will be accepted on or complexities of oak identifi cation. This loop Explorer Hike: Ridge to Creek after September 23. hike has 600 feet of elevation change and Wednesday • October 4 the pace will be leisurely, giving you time Monte Bello • 4.5 mi to study the characteristics of fi ve species, Meet: Long Ridge Stop In and Explore including the lesser known Shreve oak. 10:30am to 2:30pm Saturday and Sunday October 7 and 8 Bridges of Rancho Enjoy the shade of California bay laurels Daniels Nature Center San Antonio and Douglas fi rs in neighboring preserves 12:00noon to 5:00pm as you hike from ridge to creek with Thursday • September 28 docents Kate Gudmundson, Dennis Smith, Please see the activity description for Rancho San Antonio • 6.5 mi Lynn Jackson, and Mary Brunkhorst. This September 2. 9:00am to 1:00pm moderately-paced out and back hike will Trees and Tafoni Tour Join docents Denise Lawrence and Mark meet at the Peters Creek Trailhead at Long Monday • October 9 Prusinowski for a moderately-paced Ridge Preserve and then travel down El Corte de Madera Creek • 10 mi journey to learn about the streams and through Stevens Creek County Park to Meet: Skeggs Point watershed of this Preserve. You’ll cross reach Monte Bello Preserve by way of 10:00am to 3:00pm many bridges as you hike the Lower the Grizzly Flat Trail. After a lunch stop Meadow Trail, ascend the Upper Wildcat near Stevens Creek, you’ll make an Join docents Huey-Shin Yuan and Canyon and Upper High Meadow Trails approximate 1,000-foot elevation gain Vivian Neou to explore this beautiful for about 850 feet of elevation gain, and return up through the canyon. and heavily-forested Preserve along the have a well-deserved lunch break at the El Corte de Madera Creek, Tafoni, Fir, High Meadow Vista. You’ll return via the History and Nature Resolution, North Leaf, Methuselah, Giant Wildcat Loop and Rogue Valley Trails while Friday • October 6 Salamander, Timberview, Manzanita and observing signs of autumn along the way. Picchetti Ranch • 4.5 mi Sierra Morena Trails. You’ll take a side 10:00am to 1:00pm trip to visit a tafoni sandstone formation Stop In and Explore and an old growth redwood tree. This Join docents Gerri Tiernan and Jayita Saturday and Sunday will be a fast-paced aerobic workout Bhojwani to learn a little history, explore with stops along the way to learn the September 30 and October 1 a seasonal pond, and enjoy a lovely view history and plants of the Preserve. Daniels Nature Center on a moderately-paced hike along the 12:00noon to 5:00pm Orchard Loop and Zinfandel Trails. You’ll Please see the activity description for hike into adjoining Stevens Creek County September 2. Park for a brief rest stop at picnic tables. A visit to historic Picchetti Winery (on your own) is an option at hike’s end.

Dean Birinyi

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve 8 Fremont Older 10:00am to3:00pm Monte Bello 1:00pm to4:00pm 10:00am to2:00pm Thursday Beautiful Views Cool Forestsand rating tochooseahikesuitableforyou.) strenuous; pleaserefertothediffi indiffi vary September 13.( Please seetheactivitydescriptionfor Wednesday Scenic Aerobic HikeI September 6. description for please seetheactivity and LinaMesa, Join docentsLizForeman Tuesday Signs ofFall animals stops toinvestigatei steep climbs,and but paced hikewillhaveseveralshort and thePacifi of BigBasinStatePark,ButanoR break, andtoadmirethescenicviews Oaks Trail toTurtle Rockforalunch by anout-and-backhikeontheHickory Ridge Trails. Thisloopwillbeextended valleys alongthePetersCreekandLong of elevationwhileenjoyingthehillsand You’llof thisPreserve. gain1,000feet hike throughcoolforeststotheheights Denise Lawrenceforaninvigorating Join docentsMarkPrusinowskiand Tuesday A LongerLongRidgeHike Vista Trails. top ofBlackMountainandBella Trail andbeautifulviewsfromthe the coolforestsofStevensCreek You’llbeautiful Preserve. experience 1,500 feetasyoutravelthroughthis an elevationgainofapproximately Yuan forabrisk-pacedhikewith andHuey-Shin Join docentsEdNorth Pulgas Ridge Long Ridge 10:00am to1:00pm that youencounter. • • • October 10 October 10 • culty frommoderateto • • October 12 c Ocean. c • 6.5 mi 8 mi • October 11 Note: These hikes will Note: Thesehikeswill 4.25 mi will include 5 mi nteresting plants and nteresting plantsand This moderately- frequent idge, idge, culty culty Russian Ridge 5:00pm to10:30pm in nextdoor! and whichonesyoudoNOTwantmoving whichplantsaregoodneighbors, learn for abriefsnackstopbythecreek.Come into adjoiningStevensCreekCountyPark of elevationchange.Thehikewillcontinue moderately-paced hikewithabout400feet on strategies and interestingsurvival Trails. You’ll discoverunseeninteractions along theOrchardLoopandZinfandel Jayita Bhojwani,andJudySencenbaugh natural communitieswithdocentsTara Lee, Explore plantrelationshipswithintheir Saturday Bad Neighbors Good Neighbors/ be acceptedonorafterSeptember29. fears. youneedtochaseawayyourcharms well asasmallfl ashlight andanylucky conditions afterthesungoesdown,as with you.Bringajackettowearforcool where you’llenjoythedinneryoubrought and asunsetviewingstoponBorelHill approximately 500feetofelevationgain hike. Thismoderately-pacedhikeincludes Katherine Greeneforasunsetandnight cure foryou.JoindocentsPaulBilligand isthe woods ofRussianRidgePreserve walk acrossthefi especially thisclosetoHalloween?A Are youafraidofFridaythe13th, Friday Friggatriskaidekaphobia Cure 9:30am to1:30pm Picchetti Ranch Reservations arerequiredandwill Reservations Picchetti RanchOpenSpacePreserve • October 13 • October 14 • • elds andthroughthe 5 mi 4.5 mi 9 Russian Ridge OpenSpace Preserve

this Strether Smith Strether 9:30am to12:00pm close anhourearlier.) hours changethisweekendtoopenand September 2. Please seetheactivitydescriptionfor 11:00am to4:00pm Daniels NatureCenter October 14and15 Saturday andSunday Stop InandExplore medicine. the introductionofmodern plants wereusedtotreatailmentsbefore howselectednative and stopsasyoulearn Mountains. Therewillbefrequentstarts slopesoftheSantaCruzthe western Trails, withalunchbreakoverlooking exploring thePetersCreekand Sarah SchoenandKimBorickonthishike usebeingmedicinal.Joindocents important the plantsgrowingontheirlands,an Indians, hadagreatnumberofusesfor Native Americans,includingCalifornia Saturday Ohlone Medicine children wholiketohikearewelcome. along theZinfandelTrail. Capable and PadmaSatishonthiseasywalk qigong. JoindocentsMaureenDraper practices fromtheChinesesystemof open yoursenseswithsomesimple grove you’llbeencouragedtorelaxand Inanaturaloak enable treestosurvive. aboutthestrategiesthatCome learn that cancommunicatewithothertrees? system have ahighlydevelopedsensory degrees onahotday. Didyouknowtrees and canlowerthetemperatureseveral Who doesn’t liketrees?Trees arebeautiful Sunday Trees forHealthandHappiness Picchetti Ranch Long Ridge 10:00am to2:00pm • • October 15 • October 14 (Note: TheNatureCenter 5 mi • 2-3 mi Long R

idge Deane Little Deane

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL 2017 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL 2017 accepted onorafterOctober1. arerequiredandwillbe Reservations Jesuit Priests. it wasbeingusedasafi pictures oftheAlmaCollegecampuswhen Long Ridge 10:00am to12:30pm Meet: Seetextbelow 10:00am to2:00pm Bear CreekRedwoods the property. the threelavishestatest and mapsdatingbacktothe1880’s of shown anamazingcollectionofphotographs You’ll throughstoriesandbe explorehistory Alma CollegesiteandsurroundingPreserve. family onaneasyhikearoundtheformer Meena Sundaramwill Docents JennyWhitman,CollinLim,and Sunday Creek Redwoods ofBear History for September2. Please seetheactivitydescription 11:00am to4:00pm Daniels NatureCenter October 21and22 Saturday andSunday Stop InandExplore PacifiOcean. c of theSantaCruzMountainsand favorite placesandhassweepingviews Bench. ThelocationmarksoneofStegner’s and afewwordsattheWallace Stegner You’llfor acorns. stopmidway forasnack and withluck,glimpsewildturkeysforaging forest andstreamhabitatsalongthetrails, Trails. You’ll identifynativeplantsinthe along thePetersCreekandLongRidge Reisenauer foramoderately-pacedhike and Ann Join docentsSusanBernhard Saturday The StegnerSpecial fi other seedsasthefl birds onthepond,andmanyberries elevation change,you’llenjoyfallcolors, along theTree Trail Farm withonlyaminor Brunkhorst. Onthisleisurely-pacedhike Lynn Jackson,KateGudmundson,andMary withdocentsDennisSmith, of thisPreserve inthelessexplored area to achestnutfarm You’ll enjoyfallinopenspaceasyouhead Wednesday Explorer Hike:NutsandBerries Skyline Ridge 10:30am to2:30pm nish thisyear’s reproductivecycle. • • October 15 • October 21 • (Note:Directionswillbesent.) Among • 5 mi October 18 4-5 mi owers, shrubs,andtrees the photographsare • take youandyour hat oncestoodon nishing schoolfor 2 mi 1,000 feetofgain.) Hike IIisastrenuoushikewithabout September 27. Please seetheactivitydescriptionfor 10:00am to3:00pm 10:00am to1:00pm Meet: MindegoGatewayparkinglot this Preserve. share whatisseasonallyspecialabout Kazi, andBillMarilynBauriedelwill moderately-paced hike.DocentsFarhana gain about450feetofelevationonthis or rosehipscoloringthelandscape.You’ll animals andtheremaystillbeafewberries bythese willbereadyforharvesting Acorns deer, squirrelsorbirdsbeforeyouseethem. andyoumayhearwill crunchunderfoot footed woodratnestsareabundant.Leaves deeper intotheunderbrushwheredusky- landscape opensupandyou’reabletosee As natureentersit’s seasonthe dormant Friday Woodrats InAutumn Wednesday Scenic Aerobic HikeII before heading backonthesameroute. vista pointwhere you’llenjoyalovelyview 800 - 1,000 feet.You’ll stopforlunchatthe Resolution Trails withanelevationgainof wooded SierraMorena,Fir, Tafoni, and Judy Sencenbaughtoexplore the densely ago. JoindocentsMarie-Anne Neimatand millionsofyears started whose formation an 1,800yearoldredwoodtreeandarock including at workinthisbeautifulPreserve You’ll ofcenturiesnature witnesstheeffect Saturday Wonders ofTimePast El Corte deMadera Creek El Corte 9:30am to1:30pm Russian Ridge Pulgas Ridge Bear CreekRedwoodsOpenSpacePreserve • October 27 • October 28 • • • (Note:ScenicAerobic October 25 4.5 mi 6 mi 10 • 6-7 mi 6-7

Ken Nitz Ken

Erica Simmons 10:30am to2:30pm Meet: MindegoGatewayparkinglot 10:00am to3:00pm at thehike’s end. isoptional(onyourown) Picchetti Winery with acoupleof200-footclimbs.Avisitto can handlethismoderately-pacedhike County Parkpicnicarea.Capablechildren Creek asyouenjoylunchataSantaClara and youcanlistentothesoundofStevens along theOrchardLoopandZinfandelTrails maple syruptoyou.Alovelyviewawaits (sometimes calledeverlasting)smellslike to home.You’ll discoverifthecudweedplant soclose to enjoythewondersofthisPreserve Join docentsBobSegallaandGregAzevedo Sunday Search fortheEverlasting for September2. Please seetheactivitydescription 11:00am to4:00pm Daniels NatureCenter October 28and29 Saturday andSunday Stop InandExplore Wednesday Mindego Gateway Explorer Hike: Picchetti Ranch Russian Ridge you’ll enjoywill beanaddedbonus. this areasospecial. Thebeautifulviews aboutsomeoftheresidents thatmake learn historic andcurrentusesofthis landand two 400-footclimbs.You’ll discoverthe Hill Trail. Thisout-and-backhikewillinclude a moderately-pacedhikealong the Mindego Brunkhorstfor Kate Gudmundson,andMary Join docentsLynn Jackson,DennisSmith, • Picchetti RanchOpenSpacePreserve NOVEMBER October 29 • • November 1 • 5 mi 4 mi

10:00am to1:30pm Los Trancos Bear CreekRedwoods 10:00am to12:30pm Meet: Seetextbelow be acceptedonorafterOctober22. arerequiredandwill Reservations (Note: Directionswillbesent.) the activitydescriptionforOctober15. and MeenaSundaram,pleasesee Join docentsJennyWhitman,PaulBillig, Sunday Creek Redwoods ofBear History September 2. Please seetheactivitydescriptionfor 11:00am to4:00pm Daniels NatureCenter November 4and5 Saturday andSunday Stop InandExplore is called“GrizzlyFlat”. Park’s parkingareaonSkylineBoulevard lore includingwhyStevensCreekCounty andhearafewstoriesoflocal history seek outsignsofthisPreserve’s colorful Long RidgeTrail. Alongthewayyou’ll from theWallace StegnerBenchonthe for asnackwhiletakingintheterrifi green ”carpet”atJikojiPond,andstop the shadyPetersCreekTrail, passbythe Mytels andMikeAlexanderyou’llfollow On thisloophikewithdocentsDebbie Friday Clues toLocalHistory will beaccepted onorafterOctober22. arerequired and required.) Reservations recommended andclosed-toe shoesare hiking;longpants aresome off-trail September 17. please seetheactivitydescription for and REIOutdoorSchoolinstructor, and Join docentsKimBorickandCollin Lim, Sunday Geocaching Introductory Long Ridge 10:00am to1:00pm • • • November 3 November 5 November 5 • • 4.6 miles 2 mi (Note: This activity includes (Note: Thisactivityincludes • 2 mi Long RidgeOpenSpacePreserve c view c 9:30am to3:00pm Meet: JacquesRidgeparkinglot rating tochoose ahikesuitableforyou.) strenuous; please refertothediffi indiffi vary September 13. Please seetheactivitydescription for Wednesday Scenic Aerobic HikeI be acceptedonorafterOctober23. arerequiredandwill hike.) Reservations 8-mile and ahaveanoptionforshorter willcarpooltothetrailhead Participants 2,000 feetofelevationgain. of the BayArea.Thishikeincludes over while appreciatingthespectacularview You’ll enjoyafast-pacedaerobicworkout ofWoodsall thewaydowntostart Trail. lot tothetopofMt.Umunhumandthenhike the newtrailfromBaldMountainparking opened Mt.Umunhumarea.You’ll travelon and Vivian Neoutoexplorethenewly Join docentsHuey-ShinYuan, EdNorth, Monday Mt. UmunhumExploration September 3. Please seetheactivitydescriptionfor Sunday Hike Earthquake suitable forcapablechildren. paced, 600-footelevationchangehikeis Wallace Stegnerbench.Thismoderately- Trail. You’ll stopforanoceanviewatthe ridges, andgrasslandsontheLongRidge and enjoyatranquilpond,greenforests, see newtsalongthelushPetersCreekTrail hastooffer.what thisPreserve You may and TheresaWalterskirchen toexplore Join docentsBobSegalla,SteveBrugler, Sunday from theRidge View Los Trancos Long Ridge 2:00pm to4:30pm Sierra Azul Saratoga Gap 10:30am to3:30pm 10:00am to1:00pm • • • November 5 November 5 November 6 • • • culty frommoderate to • 4 mi 12 mi 3 mi • (Note:Thesehikeswill November 8 4-5 mi 11 (Note:

culty Charles Tu Charles Long Ridge 9:00am to12:00pm 9:00am to1:30pm Meet: BaldMountainparkinglot How manybioticcommunitiescoexist Saturday Communities Diversity inEcological with elevationgainofabout400feet. onthismoderately-pacedhike Preserve also enjoythebeautyofthisspectacular fence posts,shrubs,androcks.You’ll of thecommonlichensgrowingontrees, Kazi willhelpyoufi Marilyn andBillBauriedel,Farhana lichen.Docents that arepairedinevery relationship betweenfungiandalgae aboutaunique the environment,andlearn appreciation oftheirfascinatingrolein specialized organismsandgainan You’ll makeacloseinspectionof Friday Close EncounterswithLichens after October28. are requiredandwillbeacceptedonor will carpooltothesummit.)Reservations summit hastooffer. around themountaintopandenjoyall trail walk,you’llbegiventimetomeander current placeinhistory. Priortotheformal Mt. Umunhum’s past,morerecent,and Along theway, you’llhearstoriesabout David Schwederer, andEmmaFinter. docents GregAzevedo,Huey-ShinYuan, trail andenjoyunparalleledvisitaswith the Mt.Umunhumsummitalongnew Join inthishighlyanticipatedwalkfrom Saturday Umunhum Vistas unique environment. home andhowtheyhaveadaptedtotheir the commonspeciesthatcallthesehabitats about habitats,andlearn explore different changesinvegetationasyou to observe of elevationchange.You’ll makestops moderately-paced hikewithabout450feet Bhojwani andMikeAlexanderona Preserve’s diversity withdocentsJayita such anintricatemosaic?Discoverthis this area,andhowdidtheyevolveinto Windy Hill Sierra Azul 10:00am to2:00pm • November 10 • • • • • November 11 November 11 4.5 mi 4.5 mi 3.5 mi nd andidentifyafew (Note: Participants (Note: Participants

in

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL 2017 Outdoor Activities Fall 2017

Monte Bello Open Space Preserve by Eric Lew

Stop In and Explore Stop In and Explore Signs of the Season Saturday and Sunday Saturday and Sunday Sunday • November 19 November 11 and 12 November 18 and 19 Russian Ridge • 5 mi Daniels Nature Center Daniels Nature Center Meet: Mindego Gateway parking lot 11:00am to 4:00pm 11:00am to 4:00pm 10:00am to 2:00pm Please see the activity description for Please see the activity description for You’ll visit an ancient oak forest and look September 2. September 2. (Note: This is the last past Mindgeo Hill to the Pacifi c Ocean weekend of the season that the Nature on this moderately-paced loop hike. Up and Over Center will be open. The facility will Join docents Ann Reisenauer and Susan Sunday • November 12 re-open in April 2018 – see you then!) Bernhard on the newest trail in this Preserve. Russian Ridge • 5 mi You’ll walk down an old ranch road, 10:15am to 2:00pm Creature Feature loop around on the Charquin Trail, and Sunday • November 19 travel back up through the trees to gentle Even when wildfl owers are not in bloom, Edgewood County Park • 2.5 mi switchbacks on the hill as you return to this Preserve offers a variety of habitats 9:00am to 12:30pm your starting point. You’ll look for signs of for native plants and wildlife. Join docents the dry-to-wet seasonal change such as Chris MacIntosh and Susan Bernhard on What do dusky-footed woodrats look like? mushrooms and other fungi, and may see this moderately-paced hilly hike up and What are their stick houses like inside? raptors fl ying for their fall migration. over grassland hills and along a ridgeline How many live in one house? What do forest. From Borel Hill (elevation 2,572 ft) they eat? Who wants to eat them? How Scenic Aerobic Hike II on a clear day you can see the Pacifi c do they fi nd mates and raise pups? Why Wednesday • November 22

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL 2017 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL Ocean to the west, the East Bay hills and are they also called packrats? Come ask Sierra Azul • 6 mi Mt. Diablo to the east, and Mt Umunhum docents Kathryn Strachota and June Cancell Meet: Bald Mountain parking lot to the south. You’ll look for signs of the all of your questions and learn about this 10:00am to 1:00pm changing season such as acorns, berries, keystone species. This is a very interactive, fungi, mammal tracks, and raptors moderately-paced hike with 400-foot Please see the activity description for following the fall migration. elevation gain along the Sylvan, Serpentine, September 27. (Note: Scenic Aerobic Franciscan, and Baywood Glen Trails loop. Hike II is a strenuous hike with about Signs of Fall Curious children are particularly welcome! 1,000 feet of gain.) Tuesday • November 14 Reservations are required and will be Pulgas Ridge • 4.25 mi accepted on or after November 5. #OptOutside on Black Friday Friday • November 24 1:00pm to 4:00pm Fall in the Forest Russian Ridge • 5.5 mi Join docents Liz Foreman and Debbie Sunday • November 19 10:00am to 2:00pm Mytels, and please see the activity Purisima Creek Redwoods • 9 mi description for September 6. On this shopping holiday, avoid the Meet: Purisima Creek Road entrance crowds and #OptOutside to reconnect 9:00am to 3:00pm Explorer Hike: Turkey Trot with nature. Join docents Jayita Bhojwani, Denise Lawrence, and Mark Prusinowski Wednesday • November 15 Explore the signs of autumn with docents Marie-Anne Neimat and Mary Bernstein to stock up on fresh air and scenic vistas. Rancho San Antonio • 5-6 mi You’ll hike along the Ridge, Hawk Ridge, 10:30am to 2:30pm on this moderately-paced hike in a lovely forest. You’ll climb up the Purisima Creek Alder Spring, and Ancient Oaks Trails, Join docents Dennis Smith, Lynn Jackson, Trail under a canopy of redwood trees and covering about 600 feet of elevation gain, Kate Gudmundson, and Mary Brunkhorst colorful big leaf maples and continue on and making frequent stops to observe on an annual search for the wild turkeys the Craig Britton Trail with changing seasonal specials. Come discover what the that will NOT be part of your Thanksgiving scenery from dense forest to open views great outdoors has “in store” for you! holiday dinner. Participants on past Trots of the Pacifi c Ocean. A short climb have enjoyed anywhere from dozens to on Harkins Ridge Trail will be none of these wonderful birds, so sightings followed by a well-deserved aren’t guaranteed. Either way, you’ll lunch break before you enjoy the colors of fall as you ascend complete the hike with a scenic about 800 feet on this moderately-paced descent on the Whittemore hike along the Rogue Valley and Upper Gulch Trail. Total elevation gain Rogue Valley Trails to a vista point for is approximately 1,800 feet. lunch and a terrifi c view. You’ll return Reservations are required on a trail to be selected based on and will be accepted on or weather conditions. after November 5. Ann George

Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve 12 2017 Photo Contest Winners

ongratulations to the winners of our 2017 Photo Contest! We received over People in Open Space 300 submissions this year. After narrowing the fi eld down to fi ve fi nalists in Ceach category, winners were chosen by a public vote on Facebook. Category Co-winner Plant Life Category Winner People in Open Space Category Co-winner

Trails laced with California Poppies made today’s spring ride addicting Nature’s Fingerprint by Ruben Garcia by Molly Pekula Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve

Wildlife Category Winner Landscape Category Winner

Family time in the outdoors, where no one is left behind by Josephine Chan Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve

Hunting Egret After Winter Storm by Michelle Yau by Mike Asao Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Area Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve

Your Coastside Open Space: Lower La Honda Creek OSP Opening Soon f you’ve ever driven Highway 84 This is only the beginning of a grand vision for La Honda Creek towards the coast, you know that as Open Space Preserve expected to take three decades and an you descend from Skyline an iconic estimated ten million dollars to fully realize. A roadmap for achieving La Honda Creek I Open Space Preserve red barn built more than a century ago this vision is described in the Preserve’s master plan. It balances Opening comes into view. This is La Honda recreational and ranching uses for the benefi t of the land, wildlife Soon Creek Open Space, one of our and surrounding community. The ambitious plan includes a largest and most diverse preserves. 30-mile network of trails accessed from multiple parking areas; These 6,144 acres of grasslands, interpretation of the preserve’s unique plants, animals and history; forests, watersheds and ranchlands cattle grazing; and restored habitat for rare species including are woven into the fabric of Coastside life going back centuries. California red-legged frog, King’s Mountain manzanita, and Some of what you can’t see from the highway that traverses the pallid and Townsend’s big-eared bats. edge of this preserve are its hilltop views, lush creeks and working We’re excited to take this fi rst step, allowing those who have only cattle ranch. To date, only limited public access has been feasible. peered into La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve’s beautiful That is about to change thanks to the recent passage of Measure AA working landscape from their car to stop and explore its beauty, by local voters. In August, we broke ground on a new parking area richness and history integral to life on the Coastside. at the end of Sears Ranch Road in La Honda. It is scheduled to open this winter, giving hikers and equestrians access to six miles of new Visit www.openspace.org/LHC to see the master plan and stay trail through historic ranchland where grazing continues. informed of the upcoming grand opening event. 13 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 330 Distel Circle PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Los Altos, California 94022-1404 PAID Phone: 650-691-1200 • Fax: 650-691-0485 Permit #810 E-mail: [email protected] Oakland, CA Web site: www.openspace.org

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Visit us on our web site for Outdoor Activities, preserve maps, volunteer opportunities and more. Visit Us Online

Photos on front cover, clockwise from upper left by Nate Donovan, Beth Hamel, Midpen Staff, Midpen Staff, Ken Hickman, and Courtesy of Hooked on Los Gatos–Library and Museum History Project.

Highway 17 Wildlife Crossings Blaze a New Path for Wildlife and People ide-ranging animals often use existing project’s three underpasses, two overpasses bridges and culverts to cross roads and fencing along Highway 93 decreased Wand reach the food, habitat and mates wildlife-vehicle collisions by 80 percent and they need to survive. But not all roads provide kept more than 35,000 mule deer off the road. safe opportunities, including Highway 17 Nevada is currently installing more crossings in through the Santa Cruz Mountains. Road kill critical areas, including a project on Interstate 80 and Santa Cruz Puma Project to be completed this fall. data show obvious “hot-spots” “We need to connect not just With the Highway 17 wildlife along Highway 17 where drivers one side of the road to the crossings leading the way consistently hit mountain lions, regionally, nearby projects will deer and other wildlife attempting other, but create connectivity hopefully follow suit allowing to cross. across the diverse ecosystems animals that leave the Santa In response, two groundbreaking that animals need.” Cruz Mountains to connect projects are being planned with surrounding open space. to make Highway 17 safer for animals and The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority people. With critical public support and funding is assessing a Highway 101 crossing in Coyote from Measure AA, Midpen is spearheading a Valley, The Nature Conservancy is exploring recreational trail and wildlife crossing near a project in the Pajaro River area and the Big Los Gatos with several partners. The Land Sur Land Trust is researching crossings at the Trust of Santa Cruz County and its partners southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains. are planning another wildlife crossing at Laurel Curve near Scotts Valley. “We need to connect not just one side of the road to the other, but create connectivity across While the two Highway 17 projects will be the the diverse ecosystems that animals need,” said fi rst of their kind in our region, they are informed Midpen Resource Management Specialist Julie by the success of others. Nevada’s Department Andersen. “The more crossings, the better.” of Wildlife installed crossings in 2008 along a “hot-spot” for migrating mule deer and vehicle Find details and sign-up to receive updates collisions. Researchers with the University of about our Highway 17 wildlife and trail Nevada Reno reported that after four years the crossings project on our website. 14 Yamil SaenzYamil Karl Gohl Ken Hickman