Last Hike - Fremont Older

Well, dear ones, quickly we've gotten to the end of another quarter hiking together.  I've enjoyed it very much and I hope you have too!  Our final hike will be tomorrow, at 1 PM, at Fremont Older Open Space:  http://www.openspace.org/preserves/fremont-older.  The parking lot is tiny but this is a good hike for after daylight savings time, we went there last year for this hike and it was nice. 

Let me know if you cannot make it, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

(BTW,  and this has nothing to do with the class but, I am organizing a Women Against Trump rally tomorrow evening let me know if you would like details.)

See you soon!

You chose October 29th!

Hi everyone, thanks for sending me your vote preferences.  The majority of students want to hike on the 29th, so I'll see you at 2:30 PM at the intersection of Alpine and Willowbrook, in Portola Valley.  Please note that there is no restrooms nor drinking water, so come accordingly prepared.

We saw tons of cool tafoni rock

Thank you to those hardy souls who made it out for wet wild wonderfulness at Castle Rock State Park last week!  That's officially my new favorite rain hike, despite the park's abysmal signage.

Here are some pics from that fun time.

I look forward to seeing you all next week!  Let's hope the weather cooperates!!!

This is my favorite picture of any hike ever.  Yvette <3

Oak tree in mist and rain
 

More cool tafoni rock

Changes! - Please read!

Dear students,

Due to the upcoming storm, I am changing the location of our hike on Saturday.  It was scheduled to be on San Bruno Mountain, but that's really not a fun park to be in a storm or the rain.  So NO San Bruno Mountain!  Instead, we'll be going to Castle Rock State Park, also an extremely cool park, but one that I think will be a bit more fun if we get some wet weather.  Here is information about the park:  https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=538.  Please bring boots if you have them, and for sure bring a good jacket, as Castle Rock is often colder than Palo Alto or San Jose.  I think it's $10 per car (although I can't find confirmation on the website), so carpooling is encouraged!  We'll meet in the main parking lot.

If you haven't been to Castle Rock yet, it's incredible.  Truly a must-see, with so many unique rock formations and beautiful habitats.  If there's a gap in the weather, the views are out of this world.  I think you'll enjoy it!

So meet this Saturday at Castle Rock State Park, in the main parking lot, at 1 PM.  Bring jackets!


Then for our next hike, unfortunately, due to my work schedule, it cannot be October 29.  It has to be October 22 (I mentioned this might happen previously.)  So I'll see you at Coal Mine Ridge, at the intersection of Alpine and Willowbrook streets, in Portola Valley, Saturday the 22, at 1 PM.

Please let me know if you can't make it.  I look forward to hiking with you soon!

Here's an article about one of the cool plants we saw last time, vinegarweed:  http://calscape.org/Trichostema-lanceolatum-(Vinegarweed)?srchcr=sc56ff6f1ff345a.

Next hike: Skyline Ridge!

Hi everyone!  I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at Skyline Ridge Preserve.  This is a gorgeous preserve with varied habitats, including two ponds.  (May not be much water in them though.)  Keep your eyes out in the grassland areas, maybe we'll see some tarantula boys looking for love!  http://www.cbsnews.com/news/its-tarantula-mating-season-in-california-and-hikers-are-being-warned/

Class 2:  10/1/16 - Skyline Ridge Preserve - http://www.openspace.org/preserves/skyline-ridge.  Free, there's a port-a-potty but no drinking water.  Plenty of parking.  Park at the MAIN parking lot.  Coming up Page Mill road, you'd turn Left on Skyline and go for about a mile, then the preserve will be on your right side.  


Let me know if you can't make it, but otherwise I'll see you soon!

Thanks for a great first hike!

Hi everyone!  I really enjoyed exploring the wonders of Wunderlich with you today!   It was nice to see both familiar and new faces out on the trail.  Please feel free to add your own photos, as well as questions or comments, in the "comments" section.

We got a good start learning some of the key plants.  We spent a lot of time learning how to identify poison oak.  Here's a good little summary of that plant:  http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/garden/bloom_10_06.shtml.  We also spent some time distinguishing PO from its lookalike friend, California Blackberry:  http://calscape.org/Rubus-ursinus-(Pacific-Blackberry).  We saw California Coffeeberry, which, despite its alluring name, isn't recommended for snacking on trailside due to its laxative effects.  Read more about Coffeeberry here:  http://www.parksconservancy.org/conservation/plants-animals/native-plant-information/california-coffeeberry.html.

The park's website states:  "The cool, lush, second-growth redwood groves and mixed evergreen forest are contrasted with areas of hot, dry chaparral. At the Park’s lowest level, a foothill woodland includes white valley oak, black oak, and California laurel. Visitors may see black-tailed deer, raccoons, squirrels, brush rabbits, lizards, and less commonly bobcats, coyotes, and gray foxes. Commonly seen birds include wrentits, acorn woodpeckers, chickadees, towhees, scrub jays, and Steller’s jays."

 So of this list, we were lucky to see Black oak, California Bay Laurel, plenty of redwoods, black tailed deer (mature and young ones), and lizards.   We saw tanoak, madrone, and coast live oak.  We smelled yerba buena (Satureja douglasii) and Stachys (the hedgenettle / horsemint plant).   We also heard but did not see red shouldered and red tailed hawks.   All and all, a good day!   Thanks for being a sweet group, and I look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks!

New students...if you missed the orientation...

Welcome new students!  If you missed the orientation, you'll need to know the following:

1.  All the hike information is in the blog post previous to this one.  I will post photos and follow-up information after each hike. I'll also post changes and reminders, if any are necessary.  Therefore, please check this blog before each class!  Our first class is at Wunderlich park, and the details are in the post previous.

2.  Please wear long pants to your first class, until you get a sense for how much poison oak is near the trail.  Please wear rugged shoes and be prepared for sun and/or cool temperatures.  Please bring water, a snack, and anything else you may need to be comfortable.

3.  Carpooling is recommended!  Since you missed the orientation, hopefully you can make friends during the first class so that you may carpool to the remainder.

4.  The three main hazards one may encounter in our area are ticks, poison oak, and rattlesnakes.  At this time of year wasps can be, if not hazardous, certainly an annoyance.  If you are allergic to bees and need an epi-pen, please bring one with you on the hikes.  To prevent effects from ticks and poison oak, it is recommended to shower, wash your hair, and wash all your clothes after each hike.

5.  Please let me know if you are going to be absent, so that we don't wait for you at the trailside.  Please know that I cannot give you credit for hours you did not attend.

6.  Hikes are generally between 3-5 miles, include a snack break, and are good exercise but not overly strenuous.

I look forward to seeing you Saturday!  Email me if you have any questions.

Welcome new and returning students!

Welcome to the Fall quarter of Peninsula Nature Hikes.  I'm really looking forward to spending some wonderful Saturdays with new and returning students as we explore the beauty and bounty of local parks and preserves!

Here's the DRAFT planned schedule.  Please note that class locations may be subject to change, and that there may have to be some rescheduled or canceled classes due to weather or other unexpected circumstances.  Also, I may unfortunately have to switch our class on the 29th to be on the 22nd due to a work conflict.  I will keep you posted if that happens.

There will be an orientation tomorrow night, Wednesday, at 7 PM, at Palo Alto Adult School.  This is a chance for you to meet fellow students, ask any questions, and arrange for carpooling!  If you miss the orientation, you can always email me at m.sachs.martin@gmail.com.  I look forward to seeing you soon!

Class 1:  9/17/16 - Wunderlich Park.  http://parks.smcgov.org/locations/wunderlich-park.  The parking lot is decent sized but it does fill up, so carpooling is a good idea.  I thought there was a fee but can't find any info online.  Bring a couple bucks just in case.  Water and restrooms available.  Redwoods!

Class 2:  10/1/16 - Skyline Ridge Preserve - http://www.openspace.org/preserves/skyline-ridge.  Free, there's a port-a-potty but no drinking water.  Plenty of parking.  Park at the MAIN parking lot.  Coming up Page Mill road, you'd turn Left on Skyline and go for about a mile, then the preserve will be on your right side.  Two ponds, grasslands, sweeping views.

Class 3:  10/15/16 - San Bruno Mountain.  http://parks.smcgov.org/san-bruno-mountain-state-county-park.  Be prepared for wind!  $6 entrance fee per vehicle, save money by carpooling!   Water and restrooms available.  Views for days, unique plants that are found nowhere else in the Bay Area.

Class 4:  10/29/16 - Coal Mine Ridge.  http://www.redwoodhikes.com/Skyline/CoalMineRidge.html.  No fee, no bathrooms or drinking water.  Parking can extend down the side street of Willowbrook, so there should be plenty.  *I may have to change this class to be on 10/22, will let you know!*  My preserve that I manage!  We'll go say Hi to the several hundred year old "Mother Tree."

Class 5:  11/12/16 - TBD, possibly Fremont Older OSP.  http://www.openspace.org/preserves/fremont-older.  Porta potties but no drinking water.  Small parking lot, carpooling is a must!  Sweeping views and wide open sky.  Great preserve for the first hiking day of daylight savings.

Thanks for a wonderful quarter!

I hope to see many of you in September!

Check http://paadultschool.org/ for sign-ups, our first hike will be September 17.

Final Thursday Hike = Wednesday! ;)

Dear Thursday Bilingual Hikers:

Since it's better for most of the regularly attending students, we will meet on Wednesday for our final class.  So Wednesday, 7/13/16, at 6:30 PM.  Let's keep things simple and meet back at Arastradero where we started.  We can take a different hike, in the so-called "back 40."  For Spanish Speakers, quizás en el futuro, visitarás uno de estos parques?  http://www.visitcalifornia.com/mx/feature/los-parques-urbanos-m%C3%A1s-importantes


See you soon!

Final Saturday hike: Año Nuevo!

Thank you everyone for a wonderful and gorgeous hike at Henry Cowell State Park.  That's definitely my new favorite park!  We saw sweet little woodland violets, pictured left, plenty of Oxalis oregana, the native redwood sorrel, and of course tons of amazing old growth and second growth redwoods.  Here's a picture of an old-growth redwood, with Joan for size comparison.  ;)







I'm sad this quarter is coming to an end, because this has been a wonderful class with a great group of people.  I've truly enjoyed our walks and talks and am grateful for the gift of your time.  I hope to see you all again during future quarters. The class starts back up September 17.

As I usually do, I've created a short survey for you to give me your feedback on the class.  I tried Google Forms this time so I hope it works.  If you can take a couple of minutes and fill it out at: http://bit.ly/29tchsJ, I'd be appreciative.

Now, for our final hike info!  After some research, I think we can have a great time at Año Nuevo State park.  Here is the link to the park website:  http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523.  The elephant seals are there (they are not breeding, they are molting, which sounds very interesting in its own right.)  It is $10 a car.  We will need to get a free permit, but there is no limit on how many people can have a permit in a given day.  It is about a 3 mile hike, there will be some loose sand so choose footgear appropriately.  It is predicted to be foggy tomorrow in Pescadero, which is the nearest town.  The park is supposed to be great for birdwatching and seeing other marine wildlife, so bring binoculars if you have them.  There are several ways to get to the park; either through Highway 17 and up on the 1, or through highways 84 or 92 and down on the 1.  I suggest we all check traffic beforehand and pick the best route.  ;)    If you get stuck in traffic or for some other reason want to communicate, please feel free to text or call.  Most of you have my number, if not, email me and I'll give it to you.  Here is a page of fascinating statistics about elephant seals, if you are interested: http://ucsantacruz.ucnrs.org/anonuevo/Eseal_facts_2013.pdf.

Let me know if you won't be attending, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Thursday bilingual class - Eaton Big Canyon Park

Hello Thursday hikers!  I am looking forward to seeing you soon for something off the beaten path...a scenic wander at Eaton and Big Canyon parks in San Carlos.    Here is a trail map:  http://cityofsancarlos.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=2675, and here is a very cool description of the plants and wildlife: http://cityofsancarlos.org/depts/pr/prksfac/park_information/hiking_trails/eaton_big_canyon_trail.asp.  If you are studying Spanish, or, if you are just looking for some inspiration to hike, check out this article on the benefits of walking:  http://salud.facilisimo.com/blogs/consejos/10-beneficios-de-caminar_1504260.html.

See you at 6:30 PM at Eaton / Big Canyon, let me know if you cannot make it.

Thank you

Miriam

Thursday Bilingual Hike: Coal Mine Ridge!

Hello Thursday bilingual hikers!  I had a wonderful time with you at the Baylands.  It was so enjoyable to look at barn swallows and their little chicks.  You can learn more about them here:  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barn_Swallow/id.

We also saw some fun plants like pickleweed:  http://virtualmarsh.org/marsh-field-guide/china-camp/pickleweed/ and the native, but parasitic, bright orange saltmarsh dodder, Cuscuta salina:  http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=2540.

This Thursday, let us try yet a new place, at Coal Mine Ridge (this is the preserve I manage).  There is plenty of parking at the intersections of Alpine and Willowbrook road, in Portola Valley.  This mapquest link will show you more: https://www.mapquest.com/us/ca/portola-valley/94028/alpine-rd-and-willowbrook-dr-37.364551,-122.215730.  As the group finds each other, be aware that we are hiking in Coal Mine Ridge, not the better-signed Windy Hill.  Email or text me if you cannot make it, otherwise, I will look forward to seeing you for a short hike at 6:30?

Para los alumnos de español - vamos a ver algunas de las plantas describidos en este articulo: http://www.sandiegored.com/noticias/63706/Las-11-plantas-mas-apropiadas-para-tener-durante-sequia/  - especialmente:  Estafiate, Toyón, y Encino Amaergo. Puede imprimir el articulo y traerlo a la clase si tiene alguna pregunta!

I look forward to seeing you soon!

For next week...I was thinking about hiking here...http://www.weeklywalker.com/Walks%20by%20county/San%20Mateo/Eaton_a%20walk%20to%20walk%20to.htm.  It's a neat little "secret hike" - tucked up in the hills, but with much to see.  Dejenme saber que piensen!  Let me know what you think!

Next up: Henry Cowell!

Hello Saturday hikers!

I had a glorious time with you last week at Mori Point.  Such incredible beauty, and how wonderful to share with friends, and be in the presence of so many whales!  The hills were coated with Clarkia rubicunda, which is also called Farewell to Spring, and Golden Yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum.)  We also got to practice telling the difference between white yarrow and poison hemlock.

Tomorrow, let's keep on keeping cool at Henry Cowell Redwood State Park.  We will meet at the:

Day-use Entrance Address

101 North Big Trees Park Road

Felton, CA 95018 . 

Here is the website:  http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=546.  Please let me know if you cannot make it.  Otherwise, I'll see you at 1:30!

Saturday Hike: Mori Point!

Hello everyone!  Thank you for a wonderful first class.  I'm sorry that I picked a hike that we wouldn't all be able to stick together on.  This upcoming hike at Mori Point should solve that issue.

First, a recap.  For me, by far the highlight of the day (besides hiking with all you lovely people!) was seeing some albino redwood shoots (some of you had gone on ahead and missed it, I think.)  This is only the second time I had seen this in my life, so it was very special for me.  Here's a short article about albino redwoods.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albino_redwood



We were also very lucky to see some other cool things, such as a banana slug.  If you're not easily grossed out by these yellow guys, check out some information about the wild and whacky world of banana slug mating!  More information can be found at:  http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/10743.

For this Saturday's hike, we'll visit Mori Point in Pacifica.  This area has a rich natural and cultural history.  You can learn more about Mori Point by visiting http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/mori-point.html.  If you want to carpool, consider posting so in the comments.  You can also post any photos that you took.  The parking is next to the water treatment plant (lovely!)  I look forward to seeing you this Saturday at 1:30 PM at Mori Point!  Please email me if you think you will not make it.

Bilingual Thursday Recap

Hello, intrepid bilingual and trilingual learners!  I had a great hike with you for our first meeting.  Thanks so much for being there!  And we saw such cool stuff, didn't we?

It's always good to know how to identify Poison Oak, and fortunately we'll get plenty of practice doing so!  You can also do a Google image search for Toxicodendron diversilobum and you'll find plenty of pictures of both the plant and the rash it causes!  In Spanish, we just call it "hiedra" which just means "ivy" and is also used to refer to the ivy one might have at one's house.  Interestingly, the Latin name for the ivy genus is Hedera, very similar to "hiedra"!

We saw the very cool Soapplant, Chlorogalum pomeridianum, doing it's post http://www.parksconservancy.org/conservation/plants-animals/native-plant-information/soap-plant.html

Next week we will meet at the Palo Alto Baylands, and there should be quite a few cool birds to see!   Here is the link to the website:  http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/csd/parks/preserves/baylands.asp.  It says dogs are allowed but only on a leash.  Because there are endangered species there, please only bring your dog if he or she can behave nicely and not scare things.

If you are studying Spanish, you might want to have a look at this little article, which discussed two endangered species we would be very lucky to spot!  sfenvironmentkids.org/animals/wildlife_span.pdf.  
If any of the Spanish gives you trouble, feel free to print it out and bring it to our hike and I can help you with it. 

We can meet at the building which now houses Environmental Volunteers.  It's a cool building that looks kind of like a ship.  It's right across the street from the duck pond.  They have signs which I believe are bilingual!  In Spanish, no German, sorry!  :)

I look forward to seeing you then.

Peninsula Nature Hikes (English class) - 1st Hike - Purissima!

Hello everyone!  I'm excited to see so many familiar names on the roster, and of course a couple of new people too!  For our first hike this summer, we'll keep it cool and shady Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve.  Learn more about it at:  http://www.openspace.org/preserves/purisima-creek-redwoods.

SUMMER HIKES WILL START AT 1:30.  They'll be a little further away from Palo Alto, so we can hopefully keep cool, hence the later start time.  Carpooling is ALWAYS encouraged, it's kinder for the environment and easier to find parking!  If you would like to carpool but are not sure with whom, please feel free to use the comments section to coordinate.

Purisima has two parking lots, we will be meeting at the MAIN ENTRANCE.

Please let me know in advance if you are unable to attend.  Otherwise I will look forward to hiking with you next Saturday!

Bilingual Nature Hikes - Class should be OK!

Tenemos 8 registrantes, así que debemos estar bien!  Les enviaré un email cuando la primera clase se acerca un poco más.  I look forward to hiking with you!  There is still plenty of space, so invite a friend!

Class recap

Hi everyone!  Thanks for a wonderful quarter.  I really loved hiking with you, you're all such cool people in your own unique way.  Thanks for sharing your time and energy with me and with the rest of the class!  If you have time, please fill out a brief evaluation at:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TS72JPK.  It's anonymous, and getting your feedback helps me improve the classes.

I'll be teaching two classes next quarter, and I hope you attend one or both.  The regular Peninsula Nature Hikes class will focus on redwood forest and coastal ecosystems.  It's FOUR sequential Saturdays (PAAS has an abbreviated summer schedule, so all the offerings are compressed).  June 11, June 18, June 25, and July 9.  Check it out at:  http://paadultschool.org/classes/peninsula-nature-hikes/

I'll also be teaching a new class:  Bilingual Nature Hikes.  This class will be every Thursday, from 6:30 - 8:00 PM, at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve in Palo Alto.  Class dates are June 9, June 16, June 30, July 7, and July 14 (no class June 23).  This class will be a short evening wander in English and in Spanish to chat and make new friends in either language!  Learn more about it at:  http://paadultschool.org/classes/bilingual-nature-hikes.

Even if you cannot attend summer session, if you could post these links on your Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or other social media account, I'd hugely appreciate it!

Now, here's some of the phenomenal stuff we saw today.

We started off checking out some native landscaping plants in the parking lot that hail from Southern California.  Matilija poppy was very popular.  This plant has the biggest flower of any poppy, and it's sometimes called "Fried Egg flower".  Once established it requires zero water or maintenance.  Here's a good little article:  http://www.matilijanursery.com/articles/growing-matilija-poppies/.

We looked at second growth redwood forest, with a complex of redwoods, douglas firs, tanoaks, and gorgeous madrones.  Interestingly, there was an article in my inbox about fire and redwoods:  http://www.livescience.com/8108-giant-redwood-trees-endured-frequent-fires-centuries.html.

We were lucky enough to see Chaparral Pea, Pickeringia montana, something that's almost impossible to grow in the home landscape.  Here's a picture of its incredible flowers, and of Jeanne, our resident photographer, photographing it.

And then I got very excited to see Calochortus tolmiei, Pussy ears, (I thought it was called pussy paws, I was close).  I've never seen this plant in the wild before, so it was a real treat for me!  Calchortus are such neat bulbs - their common name is Mariposa lily - each has individually marked nectar guides, like a person's fingertips.

Here's a neat slideshow of them:
https://flowersofmarin.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/plant-of-the-day-pussy-ears/






That's it for right now.  Thank you again for being in the class, and I hope to hike again with all of you soon!

See you soon at Huddart!

1 PM, bring rain gear!  :)

See you soon at Coal Mine Ridge!

Hi everyone!  Looks like the clouds will mostly blow away for our next hike on Coal Mine Ridge.  Parking at the intersection of Alpine and Willowbrook.  I look forward to hiking with you soon!

Great new little wildflower guide!

Hi everyone!  I just came across this neat little guide, put out by Santa Clara County Parks.  I encourage you to print out a copy and check off these species as we come across them, we have seen the majority already!  It will help you to remember the names.  Check it out at: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/Whats-Happening/Documents/wildflower-guide.pdf

Santa Teresa Recap

Hi everyone, WOW, thanks for a fantastic hike yesterday!  We saw so much beauty, what an awesome time to be in a gorgeous park!

There's no way I can touch on everything we saw, so a couple highlights only.  Feel free to post pics or ask questions in the comments section.

Right out of the gate we saw some awesome bulbs.  Here's a great little article about Ithuriel's spear (explains the name origin): http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/triteleia_laxa.shtml.  We also saw a bunch of Brodeia, here's a good link with pictures: http://calscape.org/Brodiaea-elegans-(Harvest-Brodiaea)?srchcr=sc5706e03ecae8f.

We mused for quite some time on the medicinal and alcoholic possibilities of Mexican Elderberry.  Some of us enjoyed the flower smell more than others.  Here's an article which discusses literature on medicinal uses.  My own experience is that the berries make a tasty and helpful tincture.  Never consume leaves, and always cook berries thoroughly before use.  http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Plants%20of%20Upper%20Newport%20Bay%20(Robert%20De%20Ruff)/Caprifoliaceae/Sambucus%20mexicana.htm

We also talked about Yarrow (the white flower in the pic above with Pat) and its uses in native plant landscaping.  Yarrow, and many other native wildflowers, grow easily from seed.  I recommend Larners Seed for wildflower seeds.  It is the only company that I know of that sells ONLY California natives, so you don't have to worry about origin.  The website is informative. The founder, Judith Larner Lowry, is an excellent author and a bit of a local legend.  Check it out at:  http://www.larnerseeds.com/

Wildflower shows such as the one we enjoyed yesterday are because of serpentinite, the California state rock.  It's poor in nutrients and high in heavy metals, and our local wildflowers have evolved to enjoy exactly these conditions.  Here's an article about it:  http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/information/publications/cgs_notes/note_14/Documents/note_14.pdf.

We were very lucky to see an extremely rare plant, the Santa Clara County Dudleya.  Unfortunately I didn't get any good picture, but if you did, post it in the comments.  If you look at the Calflora map, here:  http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Dudleya+abramsii+ssp.+setchellii, you'll see what a tiny distribution it has.  Those are the only places where it occurs in the world!

Towards the end of the day we enjoyed the glorious sights and smells of California buckeye.  We saw a tiger swallowtail nectaring on its flowers.   As our class precedes, we'll have plenty chance to smell it when more flowers are open.

Thanks again, and I will see you in two weeks at Coal Mine Ridge!

Santa Teresa County Park today, 11-3

Hi everyone!  Very much looking forward to hiking with you today!  It seems impossible to reach a human at this park, so I'm unclear if we can park at what's called the Pueblo Day Use area, but we'll be parking in the main entrance area off Bernal Road.  Here are the directions from the website:   From Santa Clara Valley, take US 101 or Highway 85 to the Bernal Road exit. Proceed west 1.3 miles on Bernal Road and cross Santa Teresa Boulevard toward the Santa Teresa Hills. Bernal Road continues past the park's Santa Teresa Golf Club, winding up into the hills.

There's a big open area with parking, bathrooms, water, and signage, and that's where we'll meet.  If you have questions or concerns, call or text me at:  (408)597-7830.

I look forward to hiking with you soon - should be a gorgeous day!

Russian Ridge Recap

Hi everyone, thanks for a glorious hike yesterday. What beauty is nature, huh?  And this will be a wildflower year for the records.

To learn more about any plant, do a google search on the LATIN name.  You'll find a ton of info!  Yesterday we saw plenty of plants that we have seen many times before, like:

Blue Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
California buttercups (Ranunculus californica)

We also saw some plants that are kind of new to us, like Common Checkerbloom (Sildacea malviflora), pictured here with CA poppy,
Red maids (Calandrinia cilata)
and Woodland Starflower (Lithophragma officionalis).

We FINALLY saw newts!  And here's a cool article about them: http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/california_coastal_range_newt

Please remember that next week we have a different hike time, 11-3.  Let me know if you can't make it.  I believe we'll be meeting at the PUEBLO DAY USE CENTER but once I'm able to confirm that we can park there, I'll post it here.  The fee to enter the park is $6 per vehicle so carpooling is encouraged!  Here's the map of the park:  https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Documents/Santa-Teresa-map.pdf.

I look forward to hiking with you soon!  Feel free to post your pics in the comments sections.

Hike rescheduled due to rain

Hi everyone, 

Well, I was hoping to power through, but I understand that it's raining heavily where we are planning to go, and it rained all night which means the trails will be muddy.  So let's go ahead and reschedule for next Saturday.

Same bat time same bat channel, but next Saturday instead of this.

Let me know if you have any questions.

New Resource + Saturday's hike

Hi everyone!  It looks like we will have some showers Saturday, but so far it doesn't look too terrible.  I will post here if the forecast becomes extreme enough to cancel.

I wanted to let you know about a cool new resource; POST has published a "Wildflower Guide" with just 15 species, many of which we've already seen in class.  It's a great resource because it's simple and focused...and free!  Check it out at: https://openspacetrust.org/wildflower-download/

First hike recap

Hi everyone!  Thanks for a really wonderful first hike.  Unfortunately, I only got a couple of ho-hum meadow pictures, so please feel free to send me some or post in the comments section.

There's no way I can recap all the things we saw yesterday, so if you're interested, I urge you to follow up with your own research. My favorite field guide is the Audubon Field Guide to California (here's a link; I feel like it's been updated since this so if you can get an updated one, do. I think the update date is 2001.  https://books.google.com/books/about/National_Audubon_Society_Field_Guide_to.html?id=MtsTAQAAIAAJ).

I also really love the East Bay Regional Park Wildflower Photo Guide - FREE - sorted by flower color, and with an emphasis on common names.  Download it here: http://www.ebparks.org/about/stewardship/plants.  Get the district-wide one.

You can also scroll down in this blog for things we've seen in recent classes, including Milkmaids, Houndstongue, Indian Warrior, and California Buttercups.

Here are some of the things we saw & some links for more information:
1.  Silver bush lupine (and a few other lupines too): http://calscape.cnps.org/Lupinus-albifrons-(Silver-Lupine)?srchcr=sc560d70d4551df
2.  The ridiculously diminutive California plantain, obligate larval host plant for the very endangered Bay Checkerspot Butterfly (see my previous email for a description of BCB recovery efforts at Edgewood park):  http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/californiaplantain.html
3.  Cream cups:  http://www.desertusa.com/flowers/Cream-Cups.html
4.  Blue Dicks (Indian potatoes!): http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_dica14.pdf
5.  Blue eyed grass (actually an iris): http://www.calfloranursery.com/plants/sisyrinchium-bellum
6.  Coast Live Oak:  http://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/public-works/indigenous-tree-program/coast-live-oak
7.  Valley Oak: http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=461


Don't forget to post or email your pics, and I'll see you in two weeks!

Welcome New Students!

Hello Spring Quarter students, both new and returning!  I'm really looking forward to meeting you and having a wildflower-filled few months!

Here is the *tentative* schedule of hikes.  Please always check this blog the day before, in case weather or other circumstances force me to reschedule or otherwise change things.

3/26/16 - Edgewood Park, San Mateo, CA.  Website:  http://parks.smcgov.org/edgewood-park-natural-preserve

4/9/16 - Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve, Redwood City, CA.  Website:  http://www.openspace.org/preserves/russian-ridge

4/23/16 - CLASS TIME CHANGE - 11AM - 3PM.  Santa Teresa County Park, San Jose, CA (entrance off Bernal Road). Website:   https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Pages/SantaTeresa.aspx

5/7/16 - Coal Mine Ridge Open Space Preserve (class resumes normal time; 1-5).  Portola Valley, CA.  Website describing preserve: http://bahiker.com/southbayhikes/cmr.html

5/21/16 - Huddart Park, Woodside, CA.  Website: http://parks.smcgov.org/huddart-park


Email me if you have any questions or concerns, and I look forward to seeing you this Saturday!

Final hike tomorrow, March 19, 1 PM, Monte Bello

Hiking weather should be perfect!  Can't wait to see you all!

Registration is still open for next quarter, so I hope you sign up!

Cheers, Miriam

Final Hike Postponed Due to Weather!

Dear Students, hopefully you all got my email.  

I've been eyeing the forecast, and it looks like it's definitely going to rain during our class tomorrow.   While it probably won't rain hard, the trails are sure to be sloppy and all over the place.  So, with your permission, I'd like to reschedule our final hike until the following weekend, 3/19/16.  We will meet at Monte Bello at 1 PM, as we had planned for this week.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Weather Watch

Dear Students,

I've got my eyes on the forecast.  It looks like we may have a break in rain around midday Saturday so we would still be able to hike.  If it looks like we have to cancel, then I will post it here by tomorrow night (Friday).  But I hope we can hike at Monte Bello for our final hike Saturday!  Check back here tomorrow night for an update.

Final Hike - Monte Bello

Hi everyone - thanks for a terrific hike last week!  Crystal and Josefin shared some pictures - here we are!  Hopefully you remember the wildflowers we learned.


This is Indian Warrior - Pedicularis densiflora.  Learn more about it here:  http://calscape.cnps.org/Pedicularis-densiflora-(Indian-Warrior)?srchcr=sc56273769ec551


This is Trillium Chloropetalum.  Remember, three petals, three sepals, and three leaves!   Learn more about it here:   http://www.greatplantpicks.org/plantlists/view/1573


We also learned California Buttercup, Houndstongue, and Milkmaids!  We smelled Madrone blossoms and saw more of the sneaky guises of poison oak.  Thanks for a great hike!

Our last hike (sniff sniff!)  will be at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.  This place is silly gorgeous.  It goes through varied habitats, all of them lovely.  Here is the location on Google maps: Monte Bello.  Here is the preserve website:  http://www.openspace.org/preserves/monte-bello.  Carpool arrangements on your own (the road is Very Windy!), let's meet at the Preserve at 1 PM.  Please let me know if you cannot make it.

Registration for Spring semester has started.  I would love to hike with any and all of you, so I do hope you sign up!  Or, if you can't make it, tell a friend!  http://paadultschool.org/classes/peninsula-nature-hikes/

See you soon, don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.

4th Hike - Coal Mine Ridge

Hi everyone!  I'm looking forward to seeing you this Saturday for our fourth hike at Coal Mine Ridge.  I just checked the trail today and the wildflowers are gorgeous!  Check out the pic for a sneak preview of two lovelies we should see plenty of - Houndstongue (Cynoglossum grande) and Indian Warrior (Pedicularis densiflora).


The Coal Mine Ridge parking lot is at the intersection of Alpine Road and Willowbrook Road in Portola Valley, CA.  However, it's a tiny parking lot, so we will meet at the park and ride off of 280 and Page Mill Road (technically in Los Altos) and caravan over.  There are spaces for overflow parking if absolutely necessary, but I happen to know there's another hike at the preserve that same day that ends at 1 PM, so hopefully we can swoop in and take all their parking spaces.


I'm taking votes for our last hike...#5...would you prefer Sweeney Ridge or Sunol Regional Wilderness?

 Here's a great pic Emelie took of our last hike.


I very much look forward to seeing you soon!

Uvas Canyon Hike + Next hike location

Hello everyone - thank you for your patience with the parking fiasco at Uvas Canyon last weekend - it looks like there was at least one event going on then (see: http://www.bayareaparent.com/Article/Valentines-Day-Events-Around-the-Bay-Area/) and maybe other events or publicity as well!  So, I probably won't take future classes there, but it was still cool to get to hang out with you all amidst the rushing waterfalls!

So here are a couple things we saw.







1.  Early wildflowers called Milkmaids, you could learn more about them here: http://www.calfloranursery.com/plants/cardamine-californica.


2.  On the cliffs was a cool little native California succulent called a Dudleya.  I'm not sure what's the exact species, but it could have been Dudleya cymosa: http://online.sfsu.edu/bholzman/courses/Fall99Projects/dudleya.htm.


3.  We had fun throwing around bedstraw, who, in addition to its many names, I just learned is also called "Stickywilly".  Read more here: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GAAP2

4.  And then we enjoyed the fresh scent of California Bay Laurel, which is similar to the bay leaf used in cooking (you can use this species also.)  http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/682--umbellularia-californica


Contrary to what I said on Saturday, I'd like for our next hike to be close to home, so let's go to my work, Coal Mine Ridge, where the wildflowers are popping out all over the place!  You can read more about it here:  http://www.redwoodhikes.com/Skyline/CoalMineRidge.html.  Let's meet at Los Altos park and ride on Page Mill and 280 at 12:45 so we can caravan; the parking lot is a little tough to find.

Have a wonderful two weeks, and I will see you soon!

3rd Hike, Uvas Canyon Park!

Hi everyone!  You asked for waterfalls, so hopefully we will see waterfalls at Uvas Canyon Park - https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Pages/UvasCanyon.aspx.   If you want to be ahead of the game, you can check out their waterfall trail plant guide.  We should see many of these plants, and hopefully we will see newts and wildflowers too!  See you next Saturday the 13th at 1 PM, unless rain cancels in which case I will post it here.  Cheers!

What a great hike at Coyote Hills Regional Park!

Such fun today, thank you very much everyone!  Here are a couple quick links, and I will post more, and photos, later.  Send me your photos if you would like them included!

Poison hemlock, aka "The Bane of Socrates" - http://poisonousplants.ansci.cornell.edu/conium.html.

On a tastier note, (but still invasive) - wild fennel - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fennel

The fields while driving into the preserve were covered with black mustard - https://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=1144 

We saw a hunting marsh hawk (aka butterbutt) https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Harrier/id

And plenty of turkey vultures!  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Turkey_Vulture/id

Next hike:  Uvas Creek Canyon!

More soon, thanks for a great day!

Second Hike - Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont California

Hi everyone!  Let's hop across the Bay to Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont California.  It's only 25 minutes from where we had our orientation.  The park website says that the marshes are full of water, and therefore full of wildlife!  I'm sure we'll see a ton of birds.  Plus they have a 3.5 mile paved trail we can hike on even if the weather is deplorable!

http://www.ebparks.org/parks/coyote_hills

Parking fee is $5 a car, another good reason to carpool.  I'm coming from East San Jose, so I will meet you at the Visitor Center at 1 PM on Saturday, January 30th.  If rain forces a cancellation, I will post it here.

By the way, for some amazing pictures, check out the East Bay Regional Park District's photo pool on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/groups/ebparks/pool/.   See you in a couple of weeks!

Notes & Pics from first hike

Hi Everyone, I'm so glad we went out today!  I had a super time with all of you and hope you had a nice time too!

Unfortunately, I now see that you can't post a comment with a picture in it, at least, I don't think you can.  However, if you email me pictures, I will post them.

Here are some things we saw today (click links for more information):

1. Toyon, also called Christmas berry or California Holly.
2. My favorite little buddy, the dusky footed woodrat.  (Ok, well, his nest anyways.)
3. Delicious smelling California sagebrush.
4. Hillside Gooseberry - one of our first flowerers.
5. Extremely cool White Tailed Kite, hovering (kiting!) in search of dinner.
6. And of course, the itchy, the ubiquitous, the cryptic:  Poison Oak!

Please check back in with this park from March to May, when the fields are just carpeted with wildflowers!  You won't regret it!

If you want to help keep this park amazing, volunteer for the Edgewood Weed Warriors!  It's a great group of folks and you will learn a lot while having fun!  More information at: http://www.friendsofedgewood.org/habitat-restoration.

Looking forward to the next!

First Hike - Edgewood Park!

Hi everyone!  I'm looking forward to hiking with you!

Our first hike will be this Saturday, 1/16/16, in the gorgeous woodlands and serpentine prairies of Edgewood Park.  Directions, weather, and much more can be found at: http://www.friendsofedgewood.org/visit.  Or, check out: http://parks.smcgov.org/edgewood-park-natural-preserve.

For those who wish to carpool, meet at the Park and Ride lot at Arastradero and Page Mill Road at 12:30.  NOT the park and ride by El Camino!  If using a GPS or mapping program, this should work: "Park & Ride, Page Mill Road, Los Altos, CA 94022".  I'll be there to help organize carpooling (but won't carpool along because I'm staying in San Mateo after.)  Like we talked about tonight, carpooling is highly recommended, most preserve parking lots are tiny, and waiting for parking is frustrating!

Please bring sturdy shoes, capable of handling mud.  Plenty of drinking water, a snack for yourself, binoculars and field guides if you want them.  Edgewood Park is free of charge.  There is drinking water and bathrooms by the Interpretive Center, which is where we will meet!

As we talked about tonight, ticks and poison oak can be hazards of the natural California environment.

We will hike in anything short of a torrential downpour.  If the hike is canceled, I'll email you all, and post it here as well.

I look forward to hiking with you!  Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns - m.sachs.martin@gmail.com.

Miriam

Orientation!

Peninsula Nature Hikes Winter, 2016 orientation is this upcoming Tuesday at 7 PM, room 205, at Palo Alto Adult School.  I'm looking forward to meeting you!  Please fill out the brief survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QPFVGF9.

If you are returning, there's no need to attend the orientation again, although I'm always happy to see you.  :)

I'm trying something new this quarter - I'd like to plan out all the hikes from the beginning rather than choosing as we go along. So again, please fill out the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QPFVGF9, this will help me plan.

Thanks everyone!