The second leg: HEAT!

July 1, 2013

Maps used today:

Skyline Ridge and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

Today finds us walking during a record-breaking heat wave from Skyline Ridge to Russian Ridge to Windy Hill.  Three hardy and cheerful souls join us this time: Boyd, Donna’s daughter Tanya, and my father, Gary, who is visiting from Portland. 

Alpine Lake

What a day for a ridge hike -- the temperature is probably around 95 degrees!  After summiting Borel Hill (2572’) and getting our first view of the SF Bay, we began looking for any kind of shady spot to sit in.  We were quite pleased to find a small thicket of sage that, if we sat together in a small-enough clump, gave us a slightly cooler place in which to exist.  After a few minutes back on the trail, we arrived at a large deck with benches under a luxurious stand of old oaks.  We almost wept out of joy and gratitude -- Eagle Scout Ryan Corley had recently rebuilt this excellent rest area.  Thanks, Ryan!

 Click on this LINK for more pix from the hike!

A plum tree planted by a bird: refreshment!