Hiking Russian Ridge. Twofer!
Jan. 23rd, 2023 09:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
canyonwalkerSaturday afternoon we weren't sure at first what we were going to do. I set out in the morning intending a twofer— we'd hike the Brooks Falls loop in the morning, eat lunch, then hike somewhere on the peninsula, likely Russian Ridge. The morning hike ran later than expected because we left a little late then met up with our friend David in Pacifica. Then lunch ran a little long because we sat down with David for something faster (and better) than quick service food. Then Hawk was feeling in pain from the hike and the chair at the restaurant so we weren't sure we'd make it to a twofer.
I suggested we start with a scenic drive down the Pacific Coast Highway, California Route 1, to Pacifica, then up the mountains on Route 92, then south on the Skyline Drive, Route 35. If nothing else the views were beautiful in our convertible with the top down. Yes, it was a cold day, cooler than normal even for January, but that's what sweaters and the car's heater are for. Other than the chill in the air it was a beautiful day. 😎
As we reached Russian Ridge Open Space Hawk was feeling up for a short hike again. And that's one of the great things about Russian Ridge.... The network of trails is like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure park. You can go for a short, medium, or long hike, and almost whichever way you go you get mountain views, bay views, and ocean views.
Today we picked "short hike". We also angled for "not steep trail" as we were concerned the steeper trails might be slippery with mud from the 3 week deluge of rain that ended only 2 days earlier. Thus we started from our favorite usual trailhead in the middle of the park and turned left to climb up Borel Hill. The trail is never steep... and it starts looking easy, like there's only 100' or so of ascent (see above).... but really it's at least twice that, maybe even triple. It's thankfully gradual, over the course of 1/2 mile.
Along the way you get those varied views. Above is a view across the flank of Borel Hill in the foreground to Mindego Hill in the midground, to the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Last year in January we hiked Mindego Hill.
Soon enough we reached the summit of Borel Hill, 2572 feet (784 meters) and enjoyed the views in all directions.
As usual— at least on a clear day— we could make out the towers of San Francisco in the distance. ...Distance being, in this case, about 30 miles away!
We walked back down the hill tired and happy. Oh, and cold. It's a good thing we packed multiple layers of clothes (extra sweaters, etc.) for today's trip!
In beauty we walk.
I suggested we start with a scenic drive down the Pacific Coast Highway, California Route 1, to Pacifica, then up the mountains on Route 92, then south on the Skyline Drive, Route 35. If nothing else the views were beautiful in our convertible with the top down. Yes, it was a cold day, cooler than normal even for January, but that's what sweaters and the car's heater are for. Other than the chill in the air it was a beautiful day. 😎
As we reached Russian Ridge Open Space Hawk was feeling up for a short hike again. And that's one of the great things about Russian Ridge.... The network of trails is like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure park. You can go for a short, medium, or long hike, and almost whichever way you go you get mountain views, bay views, and ocean views.
Today we picked "short hike". We also angled for "not steep trail" as we were concerned the steeper trails might be slippery with mud from the 3 week deluge of rain that ended only 2 days earlier. Thus we started from our favorite usual trailhead in the middle of the park and turned left to climb up Borel Hill. The trail is never steep... and it starts looking easy, like there's only 100' or so of ascent (see above).... but really it's at least twice that, maybe even triple. It's thankfully gradual, over the course of 1/2 mile.
Along the way you get those varied views. Above is a view across the flank of Borel Hill in the foreground to Mindego Hill in the midground, to the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Last year in January we hiked Mindego Hill.
Soon enough we reached the summit of Borel Hill, 2572 feet (784 meters) and enjoyed the views in all directions.
As usual— at least on a clear day— we could make out the towers of San Francisco in the distance. ...Distance being, in this case, about 30 miles away!
We walked back down the hill tired and happy. Oh, and cold. It's a good thing we packed multiple layers of clothes (extra sweaters, etc.) for today's trip!
In beauty we walk.
