Hiking with the creative commons shirt near Montara

Recently I went out and took a few pictures on some of my favorite Bay Area hikes wearing Creative Commons gear, showing support for their great legal framework and my love of creativeness… Check out the pictures, see if you can guess where they were taken and definitely visit the Creative Commons website.

[Update] they posted my pictures! Visit the Creative Commons store to see images of me out hiking on the trails in my CC gear. In case you hadn’t guessed I added the location of this image ;)

View of Montara Beach from McNee Ranch

McNee Ranch State Park contains several beautiful trails that begin from Highway One (Coast Highway) and lead back towards San Pedro Valley County Park to the East. The trails in this review begin at parking lots near Montara Beach and Gray Whale Cove State Beach with exact GPS coordinates below:

• McNee Ranch Parking Lot trailhead (nearest to Montara Beach lot, very small)
  N 37°33.233′
  W 122°30.742′
  Elevation 79 ft
• Gray Whale Cove State Beach Lot trailhead (larger lot)
  N 37°33.777′
  W 122°30.754′
  Elevation 137 ft

Map of the two parking lots along HWY One

Often referred to as simply the Montara Hike, these trails branch out all over the valleys and hills ascending up from the Montara cliffs and Pacific Ocean below. Starting off from the smaller McNee Ranch parking lot trailhead to the South, there are two paths to consider. A foot trail that goes left and takes you directly up onto the hills overlooking the ocean, or a broader less steep fire-access road that goes straight and is better for mountain bikes and horses. This broader trail leads back into San Pedro Valley Park and there are several waterfalls to be seen along the way during the winter and wetter times of year. As a hiker, this wider trail is less fun and avoiding bikes is a bit annoying on the weekends however, if you prefer less steep terrain it may be the best bet. The broader path goes back ~8 miles while the narrower one breaks off into many winding adventures that connect to Gray Whale Cove and ultimately climb up and over the valley Southward to Old Pedro Mountain Road and Montara Mountain Top. If you begin from the Gray Whale Cove parking lot you will only have access to the smaller footpaths and will not encounter the fire roads or bikers unless you hike pretty far back in. Mountain bikers are best served using the smaller lot or parking across the street at Montara Beach then walking across Highway One, here are the GPS coordinates for Montara Beach.

Take note, while hiking in McNee Ranch State Park, be wary of poison oak on the trail and consider wearing long pants. Try to stay on wider footpaths to be safe. There are no restrooms at either trailhead and the lots are fairly uneven and unpaved, if you have a fancy low riding car, use the larger Gray Whale Cove lot. Consider bringing binoculars for whale, shark, seal, and surfer watching from the cliffs above. The nearest restrooms are at Taco Bell (or one of the other restaurants) in Linda Mar just North on Highway One.

My preference while hiking in the McNee Ranch area is to take the small footpaths from either parking lot and climb up for the amazing views of Montara Beach and Gray Whale Cove below. This is a great date spot as the sunset is magnificent here. Despite its beauty however, the weather can change quickly so come prepared for wind, fog, and temperature changes. All along the way there are benches facing the ocean and while the trails aren’t very official feeling, often duplicating themselves and full of erosion spots, the views seem to make up for trail quality. Towards the top of the second set of hills 20-30 minutes in, as your views open to the North and South, you can see bits of San Francisco and Half Moon Bay. In the images below you can see the radar bubble at Maverics in HMB.

Trails are steep and eroded as mentioned above, they don’t really incorporate switchbacks and often ascend directly up the steepest most exposed faces of the hill. This makes climbing a lot of work, though very direct and quick. Wear good shoes and consider high tops to protect your ankles from rolling on the way down. Coming down can be a bit hard on the knees and is sketchy when the ground is wet. All in all it’s more about views than anything else. You can literally park, spend 15 minutes hiking up a ways, take in the view and air, skip down in 10 minutes and be off within an hour. However, if you’re looking for more exercise you can certainly find it winding South over the mountains.

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Mountain bikers ride past the Googleplex

Google is known for its great benefits and culture ranging from locally grown organic food to on-site gyms and pools, bouncy office chairs and solar powered everything. All of this helps to balance out the mental strain and stress of endless thinking and strategizing as it were. It’s hard staying competitive while doing no evil and maintaining your spot as one of the world’s best employers…

So anyone who works at Google, Linkedin or one of the other great companies near Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View California knows that the location is awesome. Sure, Google has pool tables, some bikes and a replica of the Virgin Galactic space shuttle hanging in their lobby but all of these companies have access to the surrounding open space and Shoreline Park. What many people don’t know is that there is a great walking path tying all of these buildings together. This walking trail connects Google 43 and the other “main campus” Googleplex buildings to Crittenden at the far South cutting right through one of the Linkedin buildings. Eventually it weaves its way through several other office complexes and leads to two short “hikes”. Whether by by sidewalk or dirt trail, anyone in this area can reach the Shoreline open space and the two short hiking trails near the Amphitheater to which this post refers.

While these two short trails can hardly be described as real hikes, they do offer a unique change of scenery from the sidewalks and flatter tree-covered paths described above. They also offer a greater workout, more natural setting and a place to ride mountain bikes. Really, how many corporations sit next to open space with active wildlife and views of the San Francisco Bay where you actually have your choice of walking paths? One of these two trails is accessible from the Crittenden parking lot, the other starts at the corner of North Shoreline Blvd and Amphitheatre Parkway but flows out at several other places including Charleston Park. This park is great for playing Frisbee or just chilling at the Zen Garden style waterfall shown in the video and images below. I’m not going to go into details here with directions and addresses but if you work at Google or one of the other companies nearby it should be pretty obvious from the video and images below. If you’re visiting town on business and end up at the Googleplex, just ask someone to point out Shoreline Amphitheater and start walking in that direction!

I hope you take the time to get out there and enjoy the views and fresh air that these two trails have to offer. As someone who has worked in this neighborhood myself, it was always great to step out or even take a bike up for a short ride. The Bay is refreshing, there are hawks, prairie dogs, lizards and other small animals to watch and hear, and the people are all world class friendly… if not a little geeky :)

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Sunset, looking North from Mavericks cliffs

Mavericks is best known for its annual big wave surfing competition where riders take on waves nearly as large as those found at Pipeline in Hawaii. In the off season the cliffs and beaches found in this area, just West of Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay, afford visitors beautiful views and a wonderful set of short hikes.

A dirt parking lot is situated just at the base of the cliffs where the white radar sits. From here you can go straight out and follow the beach around the base or you can cut right, cross the paved road, and hike up and around the cliffs. In the video below we explore the cliffs and point out where surfers go for the competition as well as smaller waves that can be enjoyed when the swell is lower.

The Mavericks surf competition is held once a year here and is called one day in advance (it all depends on what the waves are doing). While I have been here, on the cliffs, for the competition the view was very poor, binoculars were required it became obvious that the crowds of people were aggravating the local habitat. One great alternative to actually being at Mavericks for the competition is to go to the Giant’s Stadium in San Francisco where a live video feed is shown. This is a lot more fun in my opinion, most people save gas and end up with a much better perspective this way. For more information visit Mavericks Surf website.

Mavericks was discovered by Jeff Clark, a local Half Moon Bay surfer, who would go out on his own and conquer the waves while his dog, Maverick, would hang out on the cliffs and watch over him. In recent years many surfers have died at Mavericks from the heavy waves, being pushed into the rocks, being trapped in under water caves, and great white sharks. The official “big waves” are situated ~1 mile off shore and are only surfable when the swell is double to triple overhead, that is why the competition is called so late. Surfing here is for experts and a jet ski with surf sled is recommended, less intense waves can be found closer in to the right of the point as shown in the video.

• GPS Location:
  N 37°30.102′
  W 122°29.808′
  Elevation 42ft
• Jeff Clarks Mavericks Shop:
  N 37°30.219′
  W 122°29.594′
  Elevation 14ft
• Dogs: Yes, with leash
• Open Times: 8am to Sunset
• Parking: Dirt lot
• Restrooms: No, Restaurants in Half Moon Bay and Pillar Point Harbor area
• Distance: 2 miles of beach, 2 miles of cliff side hikes
• Difficulty: Easy with ~100ft elevation change
• Exposure: Very exposed, can be cold and foggy, windy, dangerous cliffs
• Traffic: Light (except on competition days)

Video Review:

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View of Montara Beach from Southern lot

Montara is a small city nestled between Pacifica and Half Moon Bay in Northern California. Just driving through along Highway One affords beautiful ocean cliff side views, but the Montara Beach hike takes that one step further and is definitely worth exploring!

Parking is split between a Northern dirt lot where most visitors park, including surfers when the waves are good, and a Southern lot that’s paved and sits right next to a restaurant. Most of the actual paths and trails are best accessed from the North but both lots connect to the beach itself. Visitors will enjoy walking their dogs, making sand castles or just strolling the 1.5 mile beach. This spot can be very romantic and is always less crowded than other local spots. Since the road sits up on the cliff and is not visible from below you really feel like you’re in nature, on one side you’ve got crashing waves and the other is sheer cliff.

It’s easy to spot dolphins, seals, whales and even sharks here. Be careful when walking directly under the cliff as it is made of sand and sandstone and is slowly eroding. Down at the South end there are a few small caves to explore but the view is the real draw here and sunsets are amazing, as you can see in the video review and images below. Surfers and swimmers be wary, there are gnarly currents here, the beach drops off very steep into the water, sharks may be more present and the waves can be very heavy… I’ve broken a board in half from wave force alone.

• GPS Location:
  N 37°33.089′
  W 122°30.746′
  Elevation 83ft
• Dogs: Yes, with leash
• Open Times: 8am to Sunset
• Parking: Dirt lot with stairs at North, Paved (smaller) at South end
• Restrooms: No, Restaurant at South end
• Distance: 1.5 mile stretch with side dirt trails
• Difficulty: Easy with ~50ft elevation change
• Exposure: Very exposed, can be cold and foggy, windy, dangerous cliffs
• Traffic: Light
• Other Resources: Here

Video Review:

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Linda Mar, Rockaway hiking trail (Linda Mar side)

The towns of Linda Mar and Rockaway are situated right next door, South to North, and are part of the city of Pacifica in San Mateo County. Both are known for their surfing and small restaurants, Linda Mar features the only fast food restaurant on a state beach nation wide, Taco Bell. Connecting these two neighboring towns is a short paved path following the Coast Highway that goes up over the bluff. Branching off of the paved walkway are several smaller dirt paths that afford excellent views of the Pacific Ocean reaching all the way to San Francisco.

The Linda Mar / Rockaway trail is more of a stroll than a hike and you might only spend a half hour there exploring. Having lived in Linda Mar I enjoyed taking this walk after work, riding my bike and skateboarding along the paved sections then walking out along the dirt sections to enjoy a sunset or watch fellow surfers.

• GPS Location:
  N 37°36.489′
  W 122°29.836′
  Elevation 83ft
• Dogs: Yes, with leash
• Parking: Both Linda Mar and Pacifica have paved lots
• Restrooms: Yes + showers at Linda Mar for surfers
• Distance: 2 mile stretch with side dirt trails
• Difficulty: Easy with ~200ft elevation change
• Exposure: Very exposed, can be cold and foggy
• Traffic: Moderate/Heavy

Video Review:

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Trail Gate on part of Arastradero Preserve, horse/hiker entrance

Arastradero Preserve consists of several short trails weaving their way through the foothills of Palo Alto. Dogs, horses, and bikes are all allowed here so come ready to share the trail. Because of its location and ease of access with great parking and restrooms the trail is a local favorite and a great place to make new friends from the tech industry or nearby Stanford University.

Highlights include smaller trails that are horse specific, seasonal trails that are opened, closed and rerouted as habitats are restored, and a set of jumps that mountain bikers can enjoy at the top of the main trail. I’ve seen deer, quail and lots of lizards while hiking at Arastradero. There are also several types of birds circling around for prey in the brush.

This trail is fairly exposed so bring a hat and some sunscreen on hot days. Parking is open from 8am to sunset and their are maps at the trailhead. When the lot is full you can also park back up the street (on the side of the street) near Page Mill. The roads in this area are great for road biking and it’s not uncommon to see whole groups whooshing by.

• GPS Location:
  N 37°23.243′
  W 122°10.475′
  Elevation 416ft
• Parking: 8am to Sunset
• Restrooms: Yes + water & exhibits
• Distance: 4 mile loop with side trails, changes regularly
• Difficulty: Easy with ~400ft elevation change
• Exposure: Very exposed, bring a hat + sunscreen
• Traffic: Moderate/Heavy
• Official Website: Here

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Cave and Star trail near Namaqua Hills in Loveland Colorado

Namaqua Hill is a private housing development in Loveland Colorado that features a Christmas star made of lights during the winter holiday season. I used to have friends who lived in the hills there that would let me hike to the star along the irrigation ditch at the base South around to the back and then North up the back where no houses are. I’ve spotted rattlesnakes and cows there along with lizards squirrels and other small animals.

After years of biking and hiking the trail I discovered that on the opposing foothill, just to the North of Namaqua Hill where there are no houses, there is a small cliff side cave! If you hike down the valley between Namaqua and the next foothill you will end up on a rocky ledge that goes down towards Loveland. If you explore the ledge enough you will discover a cave built right into the rocky cliff. The cave has some graffiti, char from fires, and even a few historical marks.

Be careful when navigating the cliffs here because the only creatures within earshot are cows and I don’t think many people hike it (besides locals).

View of Devil's Backbone from the trailhead parking lot

The Devil’s Backbone trail is a short loop near the canyon leading up to Estes Park from Loveland Colorado. In recent years it has been expanded to include paved sections, bridges, restrooms and a connection to the Fort Collins foothill trails.

Devil’s Backbone provides excellent views of the Rocky Mountains and the foothills towards Loveland, specifically Nemaqua Hill. Towards the end of the trail on the upper part of the loop there is a resting spot with benches and rocks situated inside of a giant keyhole. The wind whips through this keyhole and provides a refreshing chill on hotter days.

• Official Site
• Dogs leashed at all times
• Restrooms and Drinking Fountain at trailhead
• Horses and Bikes Allowed
• No permit or fee required to hike!

Easy to moderate. Trail length is currently 7 miles long, round trip, and unpaved. The Backbone Trail loop (3.5 mi.) has marked stops that coordinate with an interpretive brochure. The Keyhole trail is closed seasonally in the spring to accommodate nesting ravens. The Devil’s Backbone Open Space protects wildlife habitat, a rare plant community and provides for expanded recreational activities. Its focal point, a unique rock formation featuring The Keyhole, is easily spotted from many locales. The Devil’s Backbone is located off Hidden Valley Drive, approximately 2 miles west of the intersection of Wilson and Eisenhower in Loveland. It is a very popular spot, so if you should arrive and find the parking lot full you will know that the trails are at maximum capacity. Please consider one of our other open spaces, such as Ramsay-Shockey Open Space or Rimrock Open Space for your outdoor enjoyment that day, and come back to the Devil’s Backbone another time.

The waterfall on the Mendocino Loop Trail

This is an excellent summertime camping trail for people living in Northern California. You don’t have to do the entire loop, from the dirt parking lot it is ~5 miles back to the waterfall area where there are several nice camping spots. While there in Summer 2009 my friends and I organized a large ring of logs and created a base for 17 people!

Traffic on this trail is relatively low because it takes forever to reach the trail head by car, nearly 16 miles on a small dirt road. You’re really out in the middle of nowhere and the forest service didn’t even charge us for parking or entrance. We only saw one other group of hikers on our mid-summer weekend trip and there was plenty of space where we stayed so nobody was kept up by our crazy campfire antics.

The river is very cold but worth jumping into on a hot day, standing under the waterfall is very refreshing and the cliff side there is perfect for sitting and hanging out. On the last leg of the hike the trail gets a bit faint, curve right and listen for the sound of falls. For those with more energy, setup camp downstream from the falls (directly below is too steep/rocky) and then continue on the loop up to the East Peak where there is often a bit of melting snow.

• Official Park Info
• Distance: 13 miles
• Elevation: 5200′ – 6400′
• Type: Hiking, Pack & Saddle
• Difficulty of finding/following: Easy

The trail begins at the West Crockett Trailhead and passes near a beautiful falls, with excellent views provided by a short spur trail. After crossing the Middle Fork of Stony Creek, the route follows benchy country in pine trees. As the trail turns to the sough, grand views of the Lake Pillsbury Basin and surrounding mountains are prevalent to the west with the Middle Fork of Stony Creek Canyon to the east. The trail leads into Milk Ranch, one of the largest meadow areas on Snow Mountain. Although the Milk Ranch meadow is private property, the landowner allows horse and foot travelers to pass through on the trail, but requests that no camps be set up within the posted portion of the meadow. As the trail turns north again and passes through the meadow, there are wonderful views from the ridge. As it approaches West Crockett Trailhead, the route switchbacks down to Stony Creek before ascending to the Trailhead.