Claremont Canyon - Dec. 13, 2008

Winter is upon us - the days are short and the nights are long and cold. However, there may be cause to venture forth at night. Please join Melissa and me for a hike up into the east bay hills under the full moon's light on Saturday December 13th. The hike will start at 6:30pm and will commence in the hills just above Berkeley's Claremont Hotel. The hike will be steep and stiff but, weather permitting, will offer us a majestic view out to the moonlit bay area with only a half hour hike each way.

For those looking to recover from the hike -- or unable to join the hike -- we will be offering some nighttime refreshments and winter cheer (and limited backyard moon viewing) at our new house starting at 8:15pm. We look forward to a good housewarming! Please do RSVP if you can make either component.

Although a full moon happens every month, this one will appear about 30 percent brighter and 14 percent larger than the other full moons seen so far this year. The full moon will be the closest lunar perigee since 1993, at 221,560 miles (356,566 kilometers) from Earth. [The moon's farthest apogee for the year will occur a couple weeks later on December 26, when the natural satellite will be 252,650 miles (406,601 kilometers) from Earth.]

Directions:

Full Moon Hike (5:45pm) - From Highway 24, take the Claremont Ave exit. Turn left on Claremont and drive 1.6 miles. When you pass Ashby and the Claremont Hotel, the road will narrow down. Look for Stonewall Road. Turn left and park. The trailhead is about 200 meters past Claremont.

Las Trampas - November 13, 2008

The full moon WILL rise tonight and we look forward to greeting her at 8pm at las trampas near danville. We will climb the corduroy hills trail to Eagle Peak.

Directions: Meet at the intersection of Camille Ave and Camille Lane in Danville.

Mott Peak (Briones) Full Moon Hike - October 18, 2008

You are invited to Briones Park this Tuesday evening for a hike up to see the full moon. We'll climb some easy grassy trails up to the top of Mott Peak (elev. 1424) to catch moonrise over Mt. Diablo with a panoramic view of the sacramento delta and the east bay hills.

The hike will start at 8pm sharp. Should be about a half hour or so each way, a little longer going there, a little shorter coming back. Feel free to bring like-minded friends and acquaintances. Please let me know if you are attending and/or if you have/need a ride. Some refreshments provided.

Directions:

Take Highway 24 through the Caldecott Tunnel, exit Moraga/Orinda (exit 9). Drive north on Camino Pablo Road for about 2 miles, then turn right onto Bear Creek Road. Drive on Bear Creek about 4.4 miles, to the park entrance on the right side of the road. After passing the entrance kiosk, continue to the parking lot.

Lake Merritt - September 15th, 2008

Tomorrow is summer's last full moon. We'll enjoy it from the shores of lovely Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA. Lake Merritt is actually not a lake but a tidal estuary and has the distinction of being the first wildlife refuge ever created in the United States (1870). It remains very popular with a wide range of birds, including pelicans, egrets, cormorants, herons, and a strain of Canadian geese that have given up their migratory habits due to the favorable environment found there. It is also favored by those in the East Bay with lunar interests as it provides the rare eastward view of the rising moon over water with the Oakland skyline, East Bay hills, and "string of pearls" street lamps as backdrop.

We'll walk along the western shore of Lake Merritt, meeting at 8:30pm Monday at 27th and Grand and walking down to the outlet at 12th Street. Feel free to bring along like-minded individuals. This trip is public transit friendly (start is at 19th Street BART, departure is from Lake Merritt station). Please RSVP. Refreshments provided.

Directions:
If not taking BART, from the Bay Bridge take 580 East to the Grand Ave exit. Turn right at Grand Ave and travel about .7 miles. We will meet on the Lake side of Grand Ave just east of 27th Street. There is streetside parking.

Hiddenbrooke Trail - Full Moon August 2008

You are invited to beat the fog this Friday for a hike up Vallejo's Hiddenbrooke Trail to see the full moon. We'll climb rolling grasslands that offer vast views of San Francisco and San Pablo views and the great mountains of the Bay Area - Diablo and Tam.

The hike will start at 8pm sharp. We will climb about 500' so bring some good shoes. Feel free to bring along others. Refreshments will be provided.

Directions:

From I-80 northeast of Vallejo, take American Canyon Rd. exit east onto Hiddenbrooke Parway. Immediately turn right (south) onto McGary Rd. and park along McGary or on Hiddenbrooke near the trailhead parking lot.

Redwood Regional Park (eastside) July 2008

Join Friday evening at 8pm for a hike in the Oakland Hills. We'll be on the east side for a view looking towards Mt. Diablo. We'll have a steep hike up for 1-2 miles.

Directions:

From Hwy 13, take the Redwood Rd exit. Head east up the hill, past the stoplight at Skyline Blvd. Continue a couple miles past the stables, MacDonald Gate and Redwood Gate. Take Pinehurst Rd on your left for about 1 mile to the Pinehurst parking lot. If you get to Moraga, you've gone too far.

Wine will be provided. Please invite other like-minded individuals.

Mt. Davidson Hike, June 18th, 2008

All,

With summer almost here, this Wednesday evening offers the choice celestial twofer of a sunset and moonrise separated by only a matter of minutes. We will plan to enjoy this delightful solar/lunar dance from the summit of San Francisco City/ County's highest aerie -- Mt. Davidson. Though the whopping 927' of elevation will not cause any nose bleeds, it will offer one of the City's best views (fog willing) of the downtown skyline and the bay. It will also allow you to admire up close and personal the 103' cross that stands at the top.

The plan is to meet at the end of Mollino Street at 8pm, walk up a very short trail to the top of the mountain and enjoy the view and stroll down again after the moon comes up. Refreshments provided. Bring warm clothes in case the wind comes in. Feel free to bring along friends and like-minded acquaintances but do RSVP, particularly if you have/need a ride.



Directions:
From downtown San Francisco, take 280 south toward Daly City. Exit on Monterey Blvd and travel .9 miles. Turn right at Foerster St, travel .3 miles. Turn left at Los Palmos Drive, travel .2 miles. Turn right at Bella Vista Way, travel .2 miles. Turn left at Molimo Dr and travel .2 miles. Park at the end of the road. Might be good to print a map. See: Google Map

Windy Hill Hike - May 20th, 2008

All,

The full moon is rising as the summer sun is setting; it makes for some excellent evening hiking. This Tuesday please join us out in Portola Valley for a looping walk around Sausal Pond in the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. We will stretch our legs over rolling hills of oak and madrone, gaining a bit of elevation for a spectacular 360 degree view which will include the moon rise, but not covering many miles. Refreshments will be provided. Please do RSVP and let me know if you need/have rides to offer. Of course, feel free to extend an invitation to others to join.

We will meet at 8pm Tuesday evening at the east entrance to the park, a parking lot off Portola Road in Portola Valley.


Directions: From Highway 280 in San Mateo County, exit Alpine Road (exit 22), near Stanford University. Head west about 3 miles and turn right onto Portola Road. Drive about 1 mile and turn left into the parking lot.