The Coyote is Running!

January 16 and 22, 2017


Maps used: http://ridgetrail.org/images/interactive_map/maps/maps_05-2011/CoyoteCreekN+S.pdf

We walked the 19 Ridge Trail miles of Coyote Creek over two successive weekends, during one of the rainiest Januaries in recent memory. Somehow we never got truly soaked, but we did get damp and muddy as we bushwhacked our way around the occasional washed-out stretches of trail.



Coyote Creek (Arroyo del Coyote) was named in 1776 by the de Anza Expedition, and it runs 60 miles from Henry Coe State Park to the San Francisco Bay. The Ridge Trail segment follows the urban riparian corridor flanked by the Diablo Range and the Santa Cruz Mountains, from Morgan Hill to San Jose.

The creek is home to Pacific lampreys, rainbow trout, chinook salmon, California roach, three-spined sticklebacks, and the Sacramento sucker, among others.

Pacific Lamprey http://www.critfc.org/fish-and-watersheds/columbia-river-fish-species/lamprey/

A chinook salmon ladder and seasonal dam

Richard joined us on the second day of this walk. He pointed out a thrasher, bluebirds, red-tailed hawks, a kingfisher, gulls, jays, mallards, a graceful great blue heron, and more.

A disappearing trail

In all, this ramble along a mostly-paved route was full of surprises and unexpected beauty. Donna and I were continually reminded of the delicate balance between urban landscapes and semi-wilderness, against a backdrop of huge, sudden volumes of water. January, 2017 turned out to be a great time to do this walk.

Here are more photos of the hike.
https://photoenthusiast.smugmug.com/Other-1/Leg-24-Coyote-Creek/

Angle of Repose: Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Almaden Quicksilver County Park

January 15, 2017

Map used today:
http://ridgetrail.org/images/interactive_map/maps/AlmadenQuicksilverCountyPark.pdf

Almaden Quicksilver County Park has been on our list to visit for longer than we have been hiking on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Let me explain the title of this post:

Wallace Stegner's novel Angle of Repose is a favorite of ours. This book is based on the writings of Mary Hallock Foote, who lived with her engineer husband at the New Almaden Mine from 1876 until 1878. As we walked through the park, interpretive signs informed us of the succession of residents who mined and then processed cinnabar to retrieve the mercury. Find out more about the mining history here.

Our walk has inspired us to learn more about Mary Hallock Foote, her writing, and her artwork. In the late 1800's, she was probably the most famous American female author and illustrator alive, and her first published writing was her lengthy description of life in New Almaden. At the time, she was newly married, newly arrived from upstate New York, and soon to give birth to an 11-pound boy. You can read "A California Mining Camp" (1878) here. Scholarship around Foote's life and work is rich and inviting. Here is her version of the ridge line that Donna painted:

"Mexican Camp -- After the Fire" (1878)

As usual, we are deeply grateful to the Ridge Trail organization for yet another perfect walk, this one steeped in history, culture, and the voices of people from 150 years ago.

Misty trail through the oaks

The New Almaden Mine Ruins

Mt Umunhum wrapped with fog

The interpretive plaque in English Camp

Rusty barn in the mist

Here are some more photos from this wonderful day.

Rain on Beautiful Mount Madonna

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Mt Madonna County Park

Map used on this leg: http://ridgetrail.org/mount-madonna-county-park

Donna, Richard, and I took a short and sweet, wet and newt-filled, mushroom-rich walk on Mount Madonna, starting near the summit and working our way down.  With raincoats and a couple of umbrellas, this was an absolutely gorgeous stroll on the Ridge Trail.