Fall 2011 - Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FALL 2011
SEPTEMBER
Saturday • September 3
Rancho San Antonio
6:15 am – 8:45 am
“Birding Before Breakfast”
Enjoy brisk birding and the early morning
serenity that Rancho San Antonio Preserve
offers with docents Karen DeMello, Kay
Partelow, and Cathy Brown. On this 3.5-mile,
walk the goal is to combine birding with
exercise (what a concept!). The hike route
will take you past the farm and then back on
the infrequently traveled Mora Trail; along the
way you’ll make brief stops to listen and look
for birds, then continue moving. Beginning
birders are welcome; bring binoculars if you
have them.
Saturday and Sunday
September 3 and 4
Daniels Nature Center
12:00 noon – 5:00 pm
“Stop In and Explore”
As seasons change so do the interactions of life
at the edge of Alpine Pond. Visit the Daniels
Nature Center on Saturdays and Sundays
this fall between 12:00 noon and 5:00 pm
(NOTE: The Nature Center hours change on
October 22 to 11:00 am – 4:00 pm for the
remainder of the season.) You can 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 on nearby
tables (pack out your own trash please!).
Sunday • September 4
Los Trancos
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
“Earthquake Walk”
Join docents Harry Cornbleet and Mike
Alexander for a fun and educational stroll
along the San Andreas Fault. On this 2- to
3-mile walk, you’ll discuss the wonder of
plate tectonics, examine remnants left by
thousands of major earthquakes, and learn
how to prepare for future earthquakes.
Monday • September 5
Skyline Ridge
Meet: Russian Ridge
10:00 am – 1:30 pm
“Pioneer Times on Skyline Ridge”
Spend Labor Day with docents Marilyn and
Bill Bauriedel hiking out and back on the Old
Page Mill Trail and learning about logging
and ranching life on Skyline Ridge from the
1860s through the 1930s. You’ll be retracing
part of the route used to haul redwood lumber
from Page’s Mill on Peters Creek over to San
Francisco Bay and you’ll hear about a few
colorful characters on this moderately-paced
4-mile hike.
Wednesday • September 7
Bear Creek Redwoods
Meet: See text below
10:30 am – 2:00 pm
“Explorer Hike”
Join Docents Dennis Smith and Lynn Jackson
as you explore several of the lesser-traveled
trails at this limited-access preserve. You’ll
learn some of the fascinating history of this
area, and see how past uses have affected
the landscape. The hike will be leisurelypaced
over 4-5 miles. Reservations are
required and will be accepted on or after
August 24. Directions will be emailed or
mailed to you.
Bobcat,
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve
Friday • September 9
Russian Ridge
5:00 pm – 10:30 pm
“Evening Explorer Hike”
For those who can’t get enough time out
in nature at night, join docents Katherine
Greene, Madeline Brane, and Paul Billig on
an evening exploration along the Ancient
Oaks and Ridge Trails. Let your senses open
to what the night brings, and you’ll savor
the evening with your hiking companions.
Bring your dinner, something to sit on, and
a flashlight with red cellophane covering
or filter. This is a moderately-paced 4- to
5-mile hike, with stops to discuss what is
discovered. Reservations are required and
will be accepted on or after August 25.
Saturday • September 10
Skyline Ridge
Meet: Russian Ridge
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
“Those Crazy Forty Niners”
The discovery of gold in 1848 changed
California forever. Hike with docents Ed
Lange and Kandis Scott along the Ridge and
Sunny Jim Trails over to a lunch stopping spot
at Horseshoe Lake where you’ll talk about
some of the more colorful characters of this
historic period. The 5-mile round trip outing
will be at a moderate pace.
8
John Kesselring
Saturday • September 10
Monte Bello
11:00 am – 2:30 pm
“Stevens Creek Fall”
Join docents Keith Johnsgård and Colin Lim
on this 3-mile loop through grasslands and
forests into the beautiful Stevens Creek riparian
corridor. You’ll ford a shallow creek on
exposed rocks, and stop for lunch at a
hushed and shaded streamside spot. This
leisurely-paced, 5-mile walk along the
Canyon and Stevens Creek Nature Trails
has a 300-foot elevation gain return trip.
Saturday and Sunday
September 10 and 11
Daniels Nature Center
12:00 noon – 5:00 pm
“Stop In and Explore”
(Please see the activity description for
September 3.)
Sunday • September 11
Thornewood
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
“Fall Equinox”
Take a leisurely-paced, 4-mile hike with
docents Paul Vadopalas and Tommi Smith
leading you to Schilling Lake and the Bridle
Trail to explore the onset of fall at this
Preserve. You’ll walk through
woodland, chaparral
and redwoods and
discuss the plant
diversity encountered
in each natural
community and the
plants’ methods
of propagation.
Sunday • September 11
Monte Bello
Meet: Picchetti Ranch
4:30 pm – 8:00 pm
“Sunset Supper on
Black Mountain”
Join docents Mary Bernstein and Madeline
Brane for a moderately-paced excursion
along Waterwheel Creek Trail as you carry
your Sunday dinner up Black Mountain to
enjoy a late summer picnic. On your return
walk, you’ll watch the sunset and the almostfull
moonrise. Beginning at the southern
end of this Preserve, you’ll hike 5 miles out
and back along the edge of Stevens Creek
Canyon with an eye peeled for wildlife. Your
docents will identify signs of agriculture and
describe the history of the Preserve. (Note:
Participants will carpool to the trailhead.)
Reservations are required and will be
accepted on or after August 25.