Weekly Walker: Are You Ready for a 'Challenge' Hike?

[Editor's Note: Watch for this column each Thursday on San Carlos Patch!]

By Tom Davids

April 13 (Saturday) is our Challenge Hike at Pleasanton Ridge.  This is a first for the San Carlos hiking group so don't miss it. I had planned to hike at Sunol and in a sense this is an extension of Sunol to the north.  We exit the freeway at the same place and turn left rather than right. This time of year, the grassy hills are brilliant green, wild flowers are at their prime,the oaks are pushing out new leaves, the olive trees (yes, there are a couple of olive orchards on the ridge) have that fresh blue-grey look, cows are grazing, and the views are great from the valley floor to Mt. Diablo.

There is drinking water and a restroom at the trail-head but nothing beyond. This hike is about 8 miles and is rated moderate with a few steep sections on old ranch roads.  The hike will take about 4 hours and we should return to the trail-head about 2pm. If you're interested in visiting wineries in Livermore Valley, they are only 5 miles or so up the road so plan accordingly. We will car-pool from the Sam Trans Garage, leaving promptly at 8am and will return to the garage about 3:30pm. There is a $5 Park and Rec. charge for this hike.  And, your dog is welcome on leash.

Pleasanton Ridge is a 45 minute drive from San Carlos. Take 101 south to Marsh Rd, cross the Dumbarton Bridge, south on 880, east on Auto Mall Rd. to 680, east on 680 over the Sunol Grade to 84, left to Sunol and right on Foothill about 2 miles. Trail-head is at a large parking lot on your left.

Please email me if you plan to join either of these hikes or if you have any questions, tomdavids@comcast.net.

Check out some of Tom's other hikes on San Carlos Patch:

Introducing the Weekly Walker: Hit the Trail With Tom Davids

Weekly Walker Hike # 1 Leads to Soda Gulch Trail

Weekly Walker: Two Hikes Coming Up in April