Category: Hikes

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/sanborn-skyline-fb4c486?u=i

About  7 mile hike on a trail that is close to Skyline road. (Trail map mistakenly shows hike on road but really on Skyline trail shown next to it). We hiked out to Indian Rock and back in nicely cool weather with wind rustling through the tree branches high above us.

The trail is great for hiking with interesting places that one can stop and linger (see benches and picnic bench). It was a nice surprise to come around a corner in this forest environment and see the valley framed below. There were a couple places where trees dealt with the hand they were sown, one having a branch incorporated in a tree next to it and another wrapped around/into a rock.

There are places people do rock climbing with ropes including Indian rock where we saw a group enjoying the challenge presented. One of the pictures is of a cave, just big enough for a sleeping bag on Indian Rock.

A good-sized alligator lizard checked up out from the side of the trail. And I like to think that the sun-bleached $20 bill stuck in a fence post by a trail head is an indication of the type of people who visit this beautiful environment.

The only downside was finding a tick on my neck after the hike. Not entirely sure it came from there since the trails were pretty wide. This should not deter people looking for a wonderful hike though.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/quick-5-with-25-minutes-of-running-454cecc

Nice 5 mile hike to enjoy the quiet of the outdoors. Surprised by bird calls that didn’t sound like birds. Part of the hike faces Santa Clara valley and the juxtaposition of the San Jose city skyline with the open space enhanced the wonder of this resource.

We saw a beautiful Woodpecker, Turkey Vultures, Hawks, a Humming Bird, and Seagulls. Many seagulls at the reservoir on the backside of mountain we hiked around. It appeared that the Seagulls flew down the valley and then back to the reservoir where they flocked in the water. Seagulls often come inland if a storm is coming but it was a nice day and the nice weather was expected to continue for a while.

Near the end of the hike we came across remnants of structures used for processing mercury. It was a nice spring hike that would be extremely hot in the summer time. Pictures below share the experience including two 360 pictures where you can look around by clicking on the image and moving your mouse (clicking on VR puts it in full screen mode).