The hike is still on. The Illustrious Fedak sends his regrets but Dan Mitchell is a go. The first to volunteer was Tom Clifton. Could we see a Steve Sergeant appearance? I’m guessing that w/all the snow that’s arrived in the Sierra of late, he’ll be out skiing all weekend. But maybe he’ll surprise us.

Remember, this is not a blogger-only event. If you read this blog, you’re welcome to to join.

The key facts, in review:

  • Start time is 10 a.m.
  • Rain does not cancel.
  • Trailhead is at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
  • To get there: Take the Page Mill Road exit off Interstate 280, go west
    on Page Mill for about seven miles up into the hills. For door to door (well,
    trail) directions, check this Google Maps link. Page Mill is curvy and apt
    to be crowded with road bikers, so leave yourself a half-hour to complete
    this stretch of road.
  • It’s an easy hike to Black Mountain summit, five or six miles (round trip)
    max and minor elevation change.

More details from a previous post are here.

For those of you unfortunate enough to live outside the Bay Area of Northern California: Manage your grief by having a First Hike of your very own. If you post pictures, send me a URL and I’ll share the link love here next week. If you’re snowbound, well, perhaps this is your chance to take up snowshoeing. All the cool people are doing it this year.