|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
This report was submitted by Leigh Ann Maze, a spokesperson for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.
Volunteer docents lead hikes and other free activities on the preserves of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, a public agency managing 26 open space preserves throughout the South Bay, Peninsula and Coastside areas. See schedule below. Some activities require reservations. For more information, call 691-1200 or go to www.openspace.org.
Monday, September 7, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (meet at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve)
“Spanish Explorers of California”
Docents Ed Lange and Susan Peterson will guide your discovery of the changes made to California by the early explorers Portola and De Anza on a 6-mile, moderately-paced hike from Alpine Pond to Horseshoe Lake. This is not ancient history – these explorers were timeline contemporaries of George Washington with many accomplishments… and today there are streets and a college named after these Spaniards. This will be a history lesson to remember!
Wednesday, September 16, 8:45 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve (meet at Los Trancos Open Space Preserve)
“Star Party”
Join docents Jack Zirker and Mike Bradshaw and visit with a band of local astronomers to view the Milky Way. Weather permitting, you’ll look through their telescopes to see the Dumbbell Nebula, the moons of Jupiter, globular clusters, and constellations galore. You must park and sign-in with the docents at the meeting location before proceeding to Monte Bello Preserve. This is a non-hiking activity.
Thursday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve
“From Winery to Slow Moving Creek and Back”
Join docents Dick Gehrer and Ray Wootten for a 4- to 5-mile, moderately-paced hike. This is autumn so you should see a grand display of nature getting ready for winter by propagating fruits, nuts, and seeds. You’ll pass by fruit orchards from the early ranch days that may still be producing fruit and you’ll lunch at the picnic tables by Stevens Creek before returning back to the Picchetti Winery area.
Saturday, September 19, 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
“Skyline Ridge Family Hike”
You and your family are invited to join docent Keith Johnsgård on a fall hike. Midway through the hike, you’ll make an extended stop at Alpine Pond to eat your picnic lunch (bring your own) and enjoy a visit to the Daniels Nature Center. The hike is a 4-mile circle route over the ridge (275-foot elevation gain each way) that passes through four ecosystems offering fresh mountain air and simply splendid views.
Saturdays and Sundays, September 19-20 and 26-27, noon – 5:00 p.m.
Daniels Nature Center
“Stop In and Explore”
Bring family and friends and enjoy displays about natural communities, view larger-than-life pond strata mobiles, take a pond prowl, study live aquatic organisms “borrowed” from Alpine Pond with the assistance of a docent, or enjoy a picnic with your companions on nearby tables (pack out your own trash please!). Come see what seasonal changes bring to the Skyline Ridge region.
Sunday, September 20, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
“Autumn Equinox”
Join docent Paul Vadopalas to observe the changes brought on by autumn on this 4.5-mile, moderately-paced hike. You’ll hike up the Ridge Trail to a promontory overlooking the Santa Cruz Mountains and traverse various ecosystems, beginning with meadow, then through woodland, chaparral, and riparian – examining the uniqueness of each. At the end of the hike, there will be a lunch stop (bring your own) at Horseshoe Lake.
Sunday, September 20, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve (meet at Grizzly Flat trailhead)
“Sunshine and Shadow”
Docents Peggy Jacobs and Ellen Johnson will guide you on this 5.8-mile, moderately-paced hike. You’ll emerge from the sheltered valley of Peters Creek into the mosaic of open grassland and shady forest to enjoy the view from the Wallace Stegner bench and return via Long Ridge Trail.
Wednesday, September 23, 10:00 a.m. –noon
Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve
“Scenic Aerobic Hike”
Get out on the trails this fall with docents Bernie Larkin and Stella Yang to visit a variety of District preserves on these 3- to 5-mile, moderately-paced aerobic outings. There will be few, if any, stops along the way.
Saturday, September 26, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Skyline Ridge, Monte Bello, Los Trancos, Coal Creek and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves
Meet at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
“Fabulous Five in the Fall”
Join docents Paul Billig and Sarah Schoen to explore five popular preserves in the South Skyline region and look for signs of fall. This moderately strenuous hike will cover 8 miles and have an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet.
Saturday, September 26, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Skyline Ridge and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves (meet at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve equestrian parking lot)
“Discover the Ridges on Horseback”
Equestrian docents Jenny Whitman and Glenda Smith will guide you on a unique trail ride where you’ll enjoy views and learn about the environment around you on this 7- to 8-mile excursion. Youth riders under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and are required to wear a helmet. Your horses need to be conditioned for steady climbs up fire roads. Ancient Oaks Trail is a single-track trail along a ridge. No stallions. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after Sept. 12.
Sunday, September 27, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
“Millionaires to Theology to Open Space”
Join docents Dick Gehrer and Jenny Whitman and spend some time at the lesser-known Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve to learn about its history. You’ll view old maps, hear stories, and see current pictures and some old black and white photos to give you some history of who and what took place in the area. You’ll enjoy your lunch next to a pond that was used by the students of Alma College many years ago. This will be an easy stroll of about 3 miles. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after September 13. Directions to the meeting location will be e-mailed or snail-mailed to you.
