Everest by the Bay

page 5

Loma Prieta was the last peak on our list. It is the highest point in the Santa Cruz Mountains, but there is no trail to its summit. The top is littered with satellite and radio towers and the surrounding land, as well as the approach road, is privately owned. I had included it in the nine peak list only after failing to find another suitable peak. Luckily, I was assured by parties concerned, that there was no problem and hikers could use the private road and go to the peak. Initially, I had settled on North Chalone Peak in Pinnacles National Monument. However, it is 120 miles from Palo Alto and for John, who lives in Oakland, it would have been a driving disaster. As it was, he drove over 900 miles getting to and from the various trailheads. In addition, the theme was "Everest by the Bay" and Pinnacles is in San Benito County, definitely not a Bay Area county.

The day was fairly warm and starting out on the steep Knibbs Knob Trail didn't help matters. After a little relief on the mostly level Summit Road, we were once again sweating heavily on the paved road to the top. Ron, Carol, Tom and Curt, who were on Loma Prieta just ten days before, had hiked up in cool, cloudy, almost hypothermic conditions due to strong winds and swirling fog from the ocean. We weren't much luckier; though the temperature was quite pleasant, hundreds of newly-hatched flies made our lunch break at the top quite unpleasant.

What an ugly sight

"Why don't you look this way?" responds Mary Poppins

We said good-bye to Loma Prieta, our last peak, and headed back towards the county park. I was happy that everything had gone well. Except for Sandy, all of us had achieved our goal, whether it was five, six or nine peaks. Everyone was punctual and non-complaining; at least nobody complained to me. I felt lucky to have had such a nice group of friends to hike with.

Victory celebration at Uvas Canyon County Park

THE END
Well, it's not quite the end ...