Hiking Galleries

Santa Teresa Hike with Dogs Oct 3 2009 : Today broke sunny, clear, and cool, so after various chores and errands, I took the merle girls and headed for Santa Teresa County Park again. This time around, instead of starting out close to sea level and climbing 1000 feet, I drove up to the parking area in the middle of the park and we did a couple of loops for about 4 miles with cumulative elevation gain (and drop) of maybe 700 feet.

Santa Teresa Hike with Dogs Oct 3 2009

Today broke sunny, clear, and cool, so after various chores and errand ...

Updated: Oct 03, 2009 8:23pm PST

Hiking Black Mountain Sierra Club Sept 2, 2009 : Sierra Club Singles Wednesday night hike led by Barbara, as always. The heat hung heavily in the valley at the carpool location, but at the higher elevation of the Montebello parking lot, the temps were just about right for hiking. Park closes at sunset, and summer is waning, so we had to be out of the park by 8:02. The fastest hikers got all the way to the top of Black Mountain just barely; four of us got within stone-throwing distance but had to turn back. As it was, with a hurried retreat, we barely returned to the parking lot in time. And with the lower light, I cursed and fumed at my aging point and shoot. Still got a few photos to share--

Hiking Black Mountain Sierra Club Sept 2, 2009

Sierra Club Singles Wednesday night hike led by Barbara, as always. Th ...

Updated: Sep 03, 2009 11:48am PST

Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point Hike Aug 22 2009 : The plan: A madcap one-day race from San Jose to Yosemite Valley, hike Four-Mile Trail to Glacier Point 3200 feet above us, have ice cream, hike down, and drive home again. Unfortunately the sky was glaringly overcast and the waterfalls had little or no water, so the Big Landscape photos weren't excellent. But there were plenty of other opportunities and we had a good time. The predicted thunderstorms never appeared, and while it wasn't extremely hot, I never felt the need to wear anything over my t-shirt.

Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point Hike Aug 22 2009

The plan: A madcap one-day race from San Jose to Yosemite Valley, hike ...

Updated: Aug 24, 2009 12:47am PST

Skyline Ridge Hiking Sierra Club August 19, 2009 : We got a late start and it's getting darker earlier, so we went for a shorter hike than planned, up the hill and down and back up and down for a cardio workout. Maybe 3.5 miles and 300-400 feet elevation gain only. I had hoped for more. Oh, well.

Skyline Ridge Hiking Sierra Club August 19, 2009

We got a late start and it's getting darker earlier, so we went for a ...

Updated: Aug 20, 2009 2:52pm PST

Santa Teresa Park Hiking August 12, 2009 :

Santa Teresa Park Hiking August 12, 2009

Updated: Aug 13, 2009 3:19am PST

Henry Cowell Redwoods Hiking August 8, 2009 : Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Hiking with Linda and Joanna and me with only my cheapish point-and-shoot. Several times I wished I had taken the SLR--small wildlife, dark settings, moving dogs. So what we got this time was a lot of out-of-focus and/or poorly exposed shots. But it was a perfect day for a 6-7-mile hike that accrued maybe 1000 feet elevation gain.

Henry Cowell Redwoods Hiking August 8, 2009

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Hiking with Linda and Joanna and me ...

Updated: Aug 10, 2009 12:04pm PST

Santa Teresa County Park Hike with Dogs June 2009 : Although the day wasn't particularly warm, I waited until 6:00 to head to Santa Teresa County park, a 1700-acre park just a 15-minute drive from home whose open hillside trails on steep terrain can be a bear in any kind of warmth. The bonus would be that I could catch the sunset from up in the hills. I wanted to take the dogs. I wanted to be able to stop and browse upon the scenery with my camera. (Point-and-shoot rather than hauling the SLR.)

Santa Teresa County Park Hike with Dogs June 2009

Although the day wasn't particularly warm, I waited until 6:00 to head ...

Updated: Jun 06, 2009 10:47pm PST

Sunrise Hike in Neighborhood May 2009 : Today's forecast is for temperatures approaching 100F (38C). Hot. Missed out on most of our exercise yesterday because of the heat. So this morning starting at 5:30 (temp 68F/20C) the dogs and I took a brisk 4-mile stroll through the neighborhood. With point-and-shoot camera. Which feels strongly that the golden light of dawn does not provide enough light for actual photography, at least without a flash. It was a challenge.

Sunrise Hike in Neighborhood May 2009

Today's forecast is for temperatures approaching 100F (38C). Hot. Miss ...

Updated: May 17, 2009 9:29am PST

Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve with Sierra Club April 2009 : The hiking was brisk, I took just my point-and-shoot camera, and it was really too dark for it to take decent photos. Here are the few I snapped. Another hiker took more shots, including some of me in my blue tie dye, here.

Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve with Sierra Club April 2009

The hiking was brisk, I took just my point-and-shoot camera, and it wa ...

Updated: May 08, 2009 7:41pm PST

Sunol Regional Wilderness Hiking Apr 2009 : April 5, 2009. Dogs are both recovering from minor injuries, so no dog agility is going on whatsoever. SOOOO it's time for a nice frolicksome ... uh... frolic... in the park where dogs-under-control are allowed off leash.

Sunol Regional Wilderness Hiking Apr 2009

April 5, 2009. Dogs are both recovering from minor injuries, so no dog ...

Updated: Apr 05, 2009 3:34pm PST

Hiking Lower Stevens Creek Mar 18 2009 : I hiked a brisk 4 miles with the Sierra Club Wednesday night group along the Lower Stevens Creek Trail from Mountain View towards Shoreline. We started at 6:10 and wanted to be back at the cars by dark (sunset at 7:20), so it wasn't an extremely long hike.

Hiking Lower Stevens Creek Mar 18 2009

I hiked a brisk 4 miles with the Sierra Club Wednesday night group alo ...

Updated: Mar 19, 2009 2:10pm PST

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Nov 22 2008 : Big Basin Redwoods State Park hike Nov 22, 2008. The morning started cold (40ish) but clear. We followed along on the 11:00 Redwood Trail tour for a few minutes, then hiked on our own up the Sequoia Trail to Sempervirens Falls, Slippery Rocks, and back along the Shadowbrook Trail.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Nov 22 2008

Big Basin Redwoods State Park hike Nov 22, 2008. The morning started c ...

Updated: Nov 22, 2008 6:43pm PST

Los Trancos Earthquake Fault Trail Oct 5 2008 : The Los Trancos Open Space Preserve includes a 1.5-mile trail that shows short-term and long-term effects of two tectonic plates sliding past each other--the Pacific Plate and the American plate sliding along the San Andreas fault. Dad and I went exploring. If you want to follow along with the trail guide, download it in PDF .

Los Trancos Earthquake Fault Trail Oct 5 2008

The Los Trancos Open Space Preserve includes a 1.5-mile trail that sho ...

Updated: Oct 05, 2008 3:55pm PST

Teague Hill Hike October 4 2008 : Sierra Club hike at Teague Hill Open Space Preserve. There are NO official trails in this preserve, although there are plenty of trails. From the hike description: "Teague Hill includes primitive trails, an absence of trail names or signs, but beautiful and mostly untouched forest and flora. We will do 6-8 miles, with 1800-2300 feet of cumulative elevation gain. This is NOT an easy hike."

Teague Hill Hike October 4 2008

Sierra Club hike at Teague Hill Open Space Preserve. There are NO offi ...

Updated: Oct 04, 2008 9:19pm PST

Pulgas Ridge Hike With Dogs :

Pulgas Ridge Hike With Dogs

Updated: Jul 24, 2008 9:21am PST

Monte Bello to Black Mountain June 25 2008 : Monte Bello parking lot to Black Mountain with the Sierra Club yet again, in a rapid 2-hour hike. Smoke from the thousand fires burning in California added a reddish tinge to everything and draped haze across the landscape. Single copies of photos for individual or nonprofit use OK with credit to Ellen Levy Finch and link back to here. For all other uses, contact me.

Monte Bello to Black Mountain June 25 2008

Monte Bello parking lot to Black Mountain with the Sierra Club yet aga ...

Updated: Jun 27, 2008 10:16pm PST

Stevens Creek Lookout Trail June 20 2008 :

Stevens Creek Lookout Trail June 20 2008

Updated: Jun 22, 2008 6:50pm PST

Stevens Creek Tony Look Trail Hike June 18 2008 : Hiking with the Sierra Club at Stevens Creek Park. Temps started probably in the mid-80s but cooled as we went. We got started a bit late and didn't actually make it up to Mazie's Peak as planned, but we did get all the way past the far end of the Reservoir.

Stevens Creek Tony Look Trail Hike June 18 2008

Hiking with the Sierra Club at Stevens Creek Park. Temps started proba ...

Updated: Jun 18, 2008 10:49pm PST

Henry Coe Bell Station Hiking June 8 2008 Burra Burra Trail : We hiked from the new (last year) Henry Coe park entrance at Bell's Station. This section of the park, until last year, was accessible only by a 15-mile hike from the other side of the park. We drove 7 miles on a dirt/gravel road from highway 152 at Bells Station (one closed restaurant, a large barn, several outbuildings, and a big house). We hiked on the Burra Burra Trail (roughly 2.5-3 miles). Afterwards, on the way home, we stopped at Casa de Fruta (see my photos). Photos for personal use OK by giving Ellen Levy Finch credit and linking back to here; for other uses, contact me.

Henry Coe Bell Station Hiking June 8 2008 Burra Burra Trail

We hiked from the new (last year) Henry Coe park entrance at Bell's St ...

Updated: Jun 08, 2008 5:51pm PST

Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve with Sierra Club June 2008 : From the Picchetti Winery parking lot into the Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve along the Zinfandel trail with the usual maniacal Wednesday night speed-hiking group. Plus a 10-minute bonus walk at the end up "cardiac hill". Photos OK for personal and nonprofit use with credit to Ellen Levy Finch and a link back here; for other uses, contact me.

Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve with Sierra Club June 2008

From the Picchetti Winery parking lot into the Picchetti Ranch Open Sp ...

Updated: Jun 06, 2008 2:06pm PST

Rancho San Antonio May 14 2008 :

Rancho San Antonio May 14 2008

Updated: May 15, 2008 2:38pm PST

Blossom Hill Area Hike To Mall May 10 2008 : After the other week, where the Sierra Club went for a really brisk "hike" of 5+ miles, all on paved walkways in the suburbs of Palo Alto, with some folks snapping photos left and right, I thought--hey--let's take a new view of my own neighborhood as a Hiking Destination! But when? Saturday morning I agreed to meet my sister and bro-in-law at the mall to see Iron Man. I always drive because it's a LONG way over there--gosh, at least 5 minutes, or maybe less! But then, Saturday was gorgeous, and I realized that hiking 1.8 miles each way to the mall was a whole lot less walking than I've been doing Wednesdays with the Sierra Club. So, what the heck! Have camera, will hike. So off I went. (My photographic goal today was: No cropping or lighting fixes or realignment required in Photoshop after I got home. This was all done with my cheapie point-and-click digital camera. I did end up cropping two or three but mostly it helps if you actually pay attention to what you're doing!)

Blossom Hill Area Hike To Mall May 10 2008

After the other week, where the Sierra Club went for a really brisk "h ...

Updated: May 11, 2008 11:31am PST

Monte Bello Ridge Sierra Club April 2008 : About 5 miles, 500 feet elevation change, Wednesday evening, from Montebello Open Space Preserve parking lot to the top of Black Mountain and back. Photos for personal use or nonprofit OK with credit to Ellen Levy Finch and a link back to here; for other uses, contact me.

Monte Bello Ridge Sierra Club April 2008

About 5 miles, 500 feet elevation change, Wednesday evening, from Mont ...

Updated: Apr 23, 2008 10:41pm PST

Henry Coe Hiking Feb 9 2008 : Ellen & Steph go hiking in Henry Coe State Park. You can also see Steph's narrative and photos. For personal or nonprofit use-- to order prints or download copies--if you're going to use on the web, please note "photo by Ellen Finch" and give a link back to here (elf1.smugmug.com). For other uses, contact me directly.

Henry Coe Hiking Feb 9 2008

Ellen & Steph go hiking in Henry Coe State Park. You can also see St ...

Updated: Feb 18, 2008 9:39am PST

Guadalupe River Trail Feb 16 2008 : If you use photos for personal or nonprofit use, please credit Ellen Levy Finch and link back to my site here. For all other uses, contact me. Hiking along the upper Guadalupe River Trail (San Jose), Feb 16 2008.

Guadalupe River Trail Feb 16 2008

If you use photos for personal or nonprofit use, please credit Ellen L ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2008 2:59pm PST

Castle Rock Hiking Sept 2007 : Sept 29. Often I go hiking with L&P. We try to go to a different place every time. There must be a hundred options within an hour of home for hiking, in all different directions. This time, though, I went hiking with friend LC, and didn't even mention to L&P that I was going hiking. Decided literally at the last minute to hike at Castle Rock, so no one knew where I was headed. Roll the cameras...

Castle Rock Hiking Sept 2007

Sept 29. Often I go hiking with L&P. We try to go to a different place ...

Updated: Sep 29, 2007 8:26pm PST

Sunol Regional Wilderness Hiking :

Sunol Regional Wilderness Hiking

Updated: Jun 17, 2007 8:57pm PST

Long Ridge Open Space Hiking July 29 : Hiking on a gorgeous morning in the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, part of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, off Skyline above Saratoga or Palo Alto, CA.

Long Ridge Open Space Hiking July 29

Hiking on a gorgeous morning in the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, pa ...

Updated: Jul 30, 2006 6:16pm PST

Henry Coe hiking Feb 25(?) 2006--people and scenery : Paul, Linda, Ellen, and Jim go hiking. Ellen's camera very busy. Feel free to order prints or download copies--if you're going to use on the web, please note "photo by Ellen Finch" and give a link back to here (elf1.smugmug.com). Thanks.

Henry Coe hiking Feb 25(?) 2006--people and scenery

Paul, Linda, Ellen, and Jim go hiking. Ellen's camera very busy. Feel ...

Updated: Jun 30, 2006 2:58pm PST