Alum Rock Park/Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve, San Jose, California

 Waning Gibbous Moon

Yesterday was Presidents Day in the grand ole USA, even on the east side of San Jose up in the Diablo Range. I expected to share my hike with lots of people on a holiday and I was right. Alum Rock Park, very beautiful and well-kept, was crowded, but pretty peaceful. Once I started the steep climb away from Penitencia Creek in the heart of the park, there were far fewer people and the sounds of conversations and engines gradually disappeared. The only noises were my own deep breathing, the click of my hiking poles, and the crunch of my shoes in the dirt. I was soon way above the fray and enjoying every minute.

Looking up at Eagle Rock. No, that's not an eagle - it's a turkey vulture.

Looking down at Alum Rock

The North Rim Trail lead me to the Todd Quick Trail, where the grade increased dramatically. The "trails" on this hike are hard-packed fire roads climbing up grass-covered hills that overlook San Jose and the surrounding mountains. The cool northwest winds kept me moving at a good pace and I was happy to notice a significant increase in leg strength compared to a few weeks ago. When I reached the intersection with the Boccardo Loop Trail, the border with the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve, I opted to go clockwise, passing through fields just beginning to show a few poppies, with occasional wooded areas that blocked the wind. A steady 1.1 mile climb with terrific long views brought me to the 0.5 mile side trail up to an unnamed 1,896 foot peak with a bench and 360 degree overlooks. 

I only spent a few minutes on top. The wind was chilly and a smoochy young couple was occupying the bench. I snapped a few pictures of the views (none of the couple) and left them alone to resume smooching. Aww, they were so cute, hahaha.

I was happy about my clockwise choice when it came time to descend. That part of the Boccardo Loop was longer, but it switchbacked down to the Todd Quick Trail, making it much easier on my rickety old knees. This turned out to be my favorite part of the 6-mile hike, probably because I wasn't breathing or sweating as hard as I had been going straight uphill. The switchbacks also exposed more rocks, which added to the interest factor, making the route seem more like a normal trail.

There are a couple of shaded rest stops with benches on the way down and one sort of work-in-progress ramada with a nice view. I stopped there to chug some water and eat an energy bar before heading back to the parking lot. Most of this hike is part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. There is another section in the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve that is also part of BART, so I will return to do that some day soon. I'll pick a less crowded weekday to do that one.

Peace, Love, and Holidays,

Jim

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