60 Hikes in 60 Miles in 60 Weeks: Week Thirteen
Mary Bowerman Trail, Mount Diablo State Park

Views galore along Mary Bowerman Trail, just below the Diablo summit

What it's like:
Although less than a mile, this loop around Mount Diablo's summit packs in a ton of long views and gorgeous scenery.

Why now:
For many of us, Thanksgiving invites gratitude. When I hike this loop, I feel immensely grateful for all the preserved open spaces visible from this beautiful mountain top. Many of my favorite peaks, including Mount St. Helena, Mount Tam, and even snow-capped Sierra mountains are visible from the top of  Diablo on a clear day. If you have visitors from out of town, this is a great way to introduce them to the Bay Area landscape.

If you can't make it this week:
Summer is hot and smoggy, but the rest of the year is wonderful.

Insider tip:
It's a long and winding drive to the summit -- bring lunch along and dine al fresco.

Diablo Summit is hike number 30 in 60 Hikes in 60 Miles: San Francisco (third edition). Read about this hike on BAHiker.

Alternate choice:
Since we're enjoying mountain tops, here's another beauty: the summit of Mount Tamalpais. I often think as I hike some of my favorite trails, "if I lived here, I'd hike here every day." I really mean it when it comes to this hike. It offers amazing sweeping views and an incredible variety of native plants. If you want an easy hike, just do paved Verna Dunshee Trail. For more of a challenge, hike to the very toppity top on Plankwalk Trail.

Post your comments and experiences here or on the BAHiker Facebook page.

60 Hikes in 60 Miles in 60 Weeks: Week Twelve
Nimitz Way, Tilden Regional Park

Nimitz Way, Tilden Regional Park, in spingtime

What it's like:
Nimitz Way is a ribbon of pavement threaded through the East Bay Hills above Berkeley. Enjoy great views and dry trail on this 3.7 mile out and back excursion.

Why now:
Rain can be one of those hiker-blockers that keep us off the trails. Nimitz Way is one the best rainy day (or week) hikes, since it's paved. Expect best views just after storms, when the air is clear.

If you can't make it this week:
Great any time.

Insider tip:
South Park Drive is closed to vehicles during newt migration (early November-April). If you're driving to Tilden from the south on Grizzly Peak Boulevard, continue past the junction with South Park, turn right on Shasta, then turn right on Wildcat Canyon Road.

Tilden's Nimitz Way is hike number 35 in 60 Hikes in 60 Miles: San Francisco (third edition). Read about this hike on BAHiker.

Alternate choice:
Sawyer Camp Trail. This peninsula path may be the most-heavily trod trail in the entire Bay Area. If you've never tried it because in the words of Yogi Berra, "nobody goes there anymore; it's too crowded," give it a try! It's marvelous for running and the trailside scenery is super-lovely. You stand the best chance at a parking spot on a rainy weekday morning.

Post your comments and experiences here or on the BAHiker Facebook page.

Waiting for rain

Blooming currant at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve

At Pulgas Ridge today the coyote brush shrubs looked downright crispy and madrone and coast live oak (evergreen trees) seemed to be contemplating switching sides with their deciduous cousins. All the buckeyes, bigleaf maples, and poison oak bushes have shrugged off their dead leaves and stand, branches outstretched, waiting for rain.

Among the chaparral of Dusky-Footed Woodrat Trail I found one confused currant bush!

60 Hikes in 60 Miles in 60 Weeks: Week Eleven
Coyote Hills Regional Park

Aptly named Red Hill Trail

What it's like:
A 5.1 mile loop through a marsh, then up and down grassy hills fronting the bay.

Why now:
November is prime birdwatching time at Coyote Hills. Normally by now our "winter" rains have begun and the marsh is super soggy. Take advantage of late rains by hiking at Coyote Hills before the deluges begin.

If you can't make it this week:
Stunning in late winter, when the hills are emerald green.

Insider tip:
Be sure to check the park's eucalyptus trees for monarch butterflies!

Coyote Hills is hike number 23 in 60 Hikes in 60 Miles: San Francisco (third edition). Read about this hike on BAHiker.

Alternate choice:
Huddart County Park woods loop. Modern technology can connect people to nature in many ways, but there is no app to replicate the delicious smell of the woods. Breathe deeply on this 4.5 mile through great-smelling California bays, Douglas firs, and redwoods.

Post your comments and experiences here or on the BAHiker Facebook page.

One last blast of autumn color at Rush Creek Open Space Preserve

Pinheiro Ridge Fire Road at Rush Creek Open Space Preserve

Rain is forecast in a few days, and many remaining autumn leaves will likely be swept from their trees. This hasn't been a blockbuster foliage year in the bay area, but I was excited to see oak leaves near their peak on Pinheiro Ridge this morning.

Oregon oak leaves

I had never been on this ridge, and barely found my way there today. Before leaving the house I printed out a Rush Creek map from the Marin County Parks website. I started as I have every other hike here, on Pinheiro Fire Road. At the junction with Rush Creek Fire Road, instead of continuing around the marsh as I usually do, I headed south on a straight trail between the cemetery and a housing development. Then, at Bugeia Lane, I turned right and started looking for the path shown on the map, a hiking-only trail connecting the path along the sidewalk with Pinheiro Ridge Fire Road. But I couldn't find the trail. When I got to the intersection with Atherton Avenue, I figured there was no way I could have missed the trail. Instead of backtracking, I turned onto Saddlewood Road and walked along the road (no sidewalks). After a few minutes I noticed a open space sign at a bare hillside on the left, but I was looking for a fire road, and there was no fire road there. A few more minutes down the road and I still hadn't found the fire road. I backtracked and stood in front of the steep hillside wondering where this mystical fire road was hiding. Luckily, I heard voices and a group came down the hill. This is indeed the fire road! So up I went, through pretty oaks, to the ridgeline, where the fire road is obvious. The deciduous oaks are at their autumnal peak this week, I think, blazing yellow and orange. This is a good place to test your oak mettle -- in addition to evergreen coast live oaks, there are Oregon and black oaks, both of which are gorgeous in autumn. I also enjoyed the views southeast out across the bay to Mount Diablo, and just slightly northwest to Mount Burdell. After a very steep descent on what must have been a social trail, I finished up the hike on 101 Trail. Great exercise on a lovely autumn day.

Back at home, I viewed the Rush Creek area using Google Earth, and it doesn't appear that the connector (shown on the open space map) connects anything at all -- it terminates on a hilltop between Saddlewood and Bugeia. Next time I hike here (and I will be back in late winter for the wildflowers) I will connect to Saddlewood from Pinheiro Fire Road (near the cemetery). This loop is about 3.3 miles.

Directions to the preserve here on my BAHiker Rush Creek page.

60 Hikes in 60 Miles in 60 Weeks: Week Ten
Stow Lake Spiral

Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park

What it's like:
A very easy just over 2 mile spiral hike around and then up to the top of Strawberry Hill, in Golden Gate Park.

Why now:
Birds, birds, birds. During the autumn migration, many birds not routinely spotted in the bay area visit our local parks. In addition to common native birds (towhees, crowned sparrows, juncos, chickadees, hummingbirds, scrub and Steller's jays) you are likely to see a variety of gorgeous warblers darting through the trees. Early November is also the peak for foliage in Golden Gate Park, so even the drive to Stow Lake is scenic.

If you can't make it this week:
This little walk/hike is one of my everyday choices for exercise and it is wonderful year round. In April look for great blue heron nests near the boathouse island. Great horned owls often nest at the top of Strawberry Hill in spring.

Insider tip:
Make this hike into an outing -- rent a boat while you're there!

Stow Lake Spiral is hike number 57 in 60 Hikes in 60 Miles: San Francisco (third edition). Read about this hike on BAHiker.

Alternate choice:
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. A great destination for beginning hikers or families with small kids -- trails are nearly flat. The Refuge, near Fremont, offers interpretive walks including a family bird walk.

Post your comments and experiences here or on the BAHiker Facebook page.