Monday, April 21, 2014

60 Hikes in 60 Miles in 60 Weeks: Week Thirty-four
Joseph D. Grant County Park

Up on the ridge at Grant, on Canada de Pala Trail

What it's like:
I think of this hike as a table -- straight up, across, then straight down. It's not really super steep, but you do need to be in decent physical shape to tackle this 7.4 mile loop on the high slopes of Mount Hamilton, east of San Jose.

Why now:
Although a bit of rain is expected this week, the end of April usually spells the end of green grass in the bay area. Get hiking at Grant while the hills are still verdant; look for big patches of California poppy, blue-eyed grass, lupines, and many more wildflowers.

If you can't make it this week:
My cut-off date for Grant is mid-May. As the bay area temperatures soar this grassland bakes to a crisp and the park's cows make the trails very dusty. Grant is lovely in late winter, when the big old valley oaks stand leafless above tidy fresh green grass.

Insider tip:
If you are capable of stretching this hike a bit, instead of returning to the trailhead via Yerba Buena, continue across Mount Hamilton Road on Canada de Pala Trail, then take Hotel Trail back to the trailhead.

Grant is hike number 43 in 60 Hikes in 60 Miles: San Francisco (third edition)Read about this hike on BAHiker.

Alternate choice:
Happy birthday John Muir! The naturalist and conservationist spent more than 30 years at his ranch outside Martinez. On this his birthday week hike 2.3 miles at Mount Wanda on trails Muir strolled with his daughters, where colorful flowers bloom in grassland beneath graceful oaks.

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

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Although the out and back trek is less than 6 miles, it's the kind of hike https://testmyspeed.onl/ you brag about the next day at work.

Anonymous said...

Education is also closely linked with opportunity. It empowers us to lead better lives and make better choices for ourselves and our families. And here I am getting reliable information from https://essay-reviewer.com/bestessaytips-com-review/ to complete my task. Education can create options where once there were none. It is truly the pathway to a brighter future. And, we can learn many things by teaching other people because if you teach someone something it means

unknown said...

Week Thirty-Four of the "60 Hikes in 60 Miles in 60 Weeks" challenge has been an absolute adventure! With each passing week, I'm amazed at the variety of trails and natural beauty within such a close radius. It's not just about the hikes; it's about the journey and the experiences gained along the way. Looking forward to the dissertation proposal writer remaining weeks and the exciting hikes that lie ahead. Happy hiking, everyone!

fararea said...

Whether teaming up for a quest or Geometry Dash competing for glory, the camaraderie experienced in free online games adds an extra layer of enjoyment.