So this Saturday is the get-together at Las Trampas Regional Wilderness near San Ramon. Host Tom Gambolin Man McGuire has as staked out a route he describes thusly:

Strenuous ascent of up to 1000 ft maybe to attain ridge heights – the island in the sky. Hiking two miles east, traffic from the I-680 might be bothersome, but the views will make up for that! So will the rock formations and desert-like feel of the micro-niche ecosystems. Otherwise, hike west to take in truly stupendous views of the East Bay, Grizzly Peak, Mt. Diablo – along a roller coast of a ridge trail alternating with big viewsheds and intimate immersions in deep forested, rocky ravines. 5 mi. hike minimum, up to 7 or 8 with side trip to east facing views. Could make it longer, with an additional 5 mi loop hike in the rugged Corduroy Hills.

Start time is 10 a.m. Trailhead details:

Parking directions: as you’re coming into the park on Bollinger Canyon Road, look for a pull-off on the right before coming to the main parking area. (It’s maybe a quarter mile before. There’s room for about four or five cars to park off the roadside, in front of a grand old oak tree behind a fence. There’s a small watering tank at the TH.

The Bollinger Canyon Road exit is off I-680. Two maps: Cyberhobo’s Outdoor Map and Google’s road map.

If anybody wants to carpool from the South Bay with me: I’ll be at the Golfland in Milpitas, on the east side of I-680 at the Jacklin Road exit till about 9:05, then I head north. You can leave your car in the parking lot. I’ll be in the silver Honda Element at the far end of the parking lot. The Hiker Hauler holds three plus me.

Heavy rain on Friday/Saturday cancels. Current forecast is for pleasant weather through the weekend, but we all know how well those forecasts turnout.