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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.
Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve
“Secrets of the Forest”
Follow the Methuselah, Giant Salamander, and Timberview Trails with docent Peggy Jacobs on a 5.5-mile exploration through redwood and mixed evergreen forests. Visit an ancient old growth tree and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of another world.
Saturday, October 17, 2:00 p.m. – 5:15 .pm.
Los Trancos and Monte Bello Open Space Preserves (meet at Los Trancos)
“Loma Prieta 20-Year Anniversary Earthquake Walk”
Where were you on October 17, 1989? Were you in the Bay Area or elsewhere watching the World Series on television? Join docents Paul Billig and Ann Reisenauer on the 20-year anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake and learn about the impact of earthquakes on District preserves. During this leisurely 2- to 3-mile hike, you’ll learn how the landscape has changed as a result of earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault. Bring a snack and something to sit on, and be prepared to share your earthquake experiences.
Saturday, October 17, 4:45 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve (meet at Grizzly Flat trailhead)
“Bring on the Night”
Join docents Debbi Brusco, Jack Owicki, Katherine Greene, and Jan Hintermeister for a dusk-to-dark hike to look for “creepy crawlers.” You’ll hike at a moderate pace to reach a dinner spot, stopping along the way to observe crepuscular creatures. After dinner, explore the night quietly to find nocturnal creatures. Your route will traverse Peters Creek Trail and Long Ridge Road, covering 4.5 miles. Bring dinner and a flashlight with a red filter or cellophane covering. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after October 3.
Saturday, October 17, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve (meet: Hickory Oaks trailhead)
“Art at Turtle Rock”
Join docents Suzanne Schleck and Rebecca Pickart for inspiring views and artistic opportunity at the majestic Long Ridge Preserve. You’ll walk less than 0.5 miles on the Hickory Oaks Trail to “Turtle Rock,” where you will set up for painting, drawing, writing, etc. Bring a seat, hat, and art materials to work at your leisure. Oaks, rolling grasslands, distant ocean, and deep treed vistas await you.
Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18, 24-25, 31- Nov.1, noon – 5:00 pm
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, October 18, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (meet: Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve)
“Fall Edibles”
Join docents Paul Vadopalas and Ellen Johnson for a 3-mile hike on Old Page Mill Road to examine what nature is providing for human consumption. You’ll stop at the Ohlone grinding rock, hike under canopies of old trees, and through sections of chaparral. You’ll stop for lunch under coast live oaks invaded by Thomson grapes, presumably planted by Mr. Page.
Sunday, October 18, 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.
Sunday, October 18, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Ravenswood Open Space Preserve
“Weather in the Sky”
Ravenswood Preserve along the Bay offers great views of the sky and opportunities to understand the clouds or fog that dominate the area’s weather pattern. Even if the skies do not cooperate, docents Kandis Scott and Pamela Reliford will share a leisurely walk with you along the flat, accessible trail to enjoy the openness of the waterfront. The maximum distance of the hike would be 2.4 miles, but time rather than distance will define this walk. Note: Because there is no shelter along this trail, ANY rain (even steady drizzle) will cancel.
Wednesday, October 21, 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Coal Creek Open Space Preserve
“Explorer Hike”
Join docents Ida Rhodes and Susan Peterson for these moderately-paced, 3- to 5-mile, mid-week outings where new trails with new friends can be discovered. The route for each hike will be determined based on prevailing trail and weather conditions at each location.
Saturday, October 24, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Skyline Ridge and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves (meet: Skyline Ridge 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 required and will be accepted on or after October 10.
Sunday, October 25, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (meet: Skyline Boulevard parking area)
“Fall Berries”
Fall is well underway. Before the winter rains begin in earnest, join docents Sarah Schoen and Susan Peterson in observing how some plants use birds and other animals to distribute their seeds. This 8-mile hike will travel from Skyline down 1,000 feet along Hamms Gulch, with a return along Eagle, Razorback Ridge, and Lost trails.
Sunday, October 25, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve (meet: Grizzly Flat trailhead)
“Long Ridge Plant Communities”
Enjoy a mid-fall hike through the various plant communities of the stunning Long Ridge Preserve. You’ll walk 4.6 miles through grassland, chaparral, mixed evergreen, oak woodland, and riparian plant communities with docents David Bergman and Ellen Johnson and talk about how such a variety of communities can exist within a relatively small area. A break will be had overlooking the hills and the Pacific with a lunch-time “lecture” on the geography of the region.
Wednesday, October 28, 10:00 a.m. – noon
St. Joseph’s Hill Open Space Preserve (meet: Little League Field parking area)
“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, October 31, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (meet: Lower parking lot)
“The Raven at Windy Hill”
“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore…” Learn about ravens and listen to the Edgar Allen Poe poem at stops along the way on this 2.5-mile walk with docents Karen DeMello, Jan Hintermeister, and Kay Partelow. Your docents will keep you attentive to sudden tapping and gentle rapping of other birds along the way as well. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Saturday, October 31, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (meet: Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve)
“1769 A.D.”
The mid-1700s were a significant point in history for the lives and culture of Bay Area Native Americans – change was inevitable as European contact began. On this 6-mile, moderately-paced hike with docents Ed Lange and Ida Rhodes, you will hear about the challenges and opportunities of the time. Lunch will be overlooking Horseshoe Lake.