Hike Info:
Type: Backpacking
Trail: Ohlone Wilderness Trail, Greenside, Road, Buckboard Trail, Mid Road
Destination:Sunol Backpacking Camp, Stars Rest
Distance: 9.30 miles
Start Time: 9:39
End Time: 5:52
Travel Time: 8:13 (1.13 mph)
Moving Time: 7:11 (1.29 mph)
Elevation Rise: 1,832'
Descent: 3,440'
Maximum Elevation: 3,721'
GPS Tracks
Description:
We are slow getting up for a
couple of reasons. First, it is cold out there. Even before that, how
the campsite is set up, we could not find anyplace which did not have
a slope. Consequently, I kept moving to the bottom of the tent. Not
very comfortable. Make a note about Stewart
Camp,
 |
| Andrea ready to get a moving on |
Still, because it is a nice
crisp morning, the sky is clear and this campsite looks really nice.
This morning we can see the pond across the way and blue sky above
us. Much better than the white of the fog which we were surrounded
with last night.
 |
| Andrea leading the way |
Sherri takes off first with
Andrea and I taking a look around. before we leave. Then we start our
way up the Greenville Road to the OWT. We meet up with Sherri there
and start in our way to the Sunol
Backpacking Camp.
But we will be walking a few miles before we get there.
This first couple of miles we
travel pretty good. Some ridgetops, then dipping along creeks down a
hundred feet, cross a creek and then back up. These creeks are just a
little bit of water, more like a step or two to cross. Still they are
nice bit of refreshment. There are hills upon hills for as for as we
can see. All of it green.
 |
| Another climb with Sherri behind |
But I am getting to the
realization that my uphills are not getting better. I am making them
up OK, but the energy level is not there. Rose
Peak is
coming up-there is a short side trail. I tell Andrea if she wants to
go up, she can when we get there. But it probably would be good for
me just to take the OWT around the Rose Peak and wait on the other
side.
 |
| View from the top |
When we reach the trail
junction to Rose Peak, Sherri and Andrea go up. I decide that it's
probably better if I just walk towards the other side of the peak and
wait for them.. Well, I did not take a nap waiting for them, but I
do close my eyes and rest and read and do that was kind of things.
Occasionally, I hear a loud thump. Is it a cow who is grazing the
next ridge over? But he looks so peaceful chewing his patch of grass.
No answers.
 |
| Lunch time |
 |
| View from Rose Peak area |
When Andrea and Sherri come
back, we have a bite to eat before continuing on. Rose Peak is the
top of our trail. That is not to say that there still is no ups, but
they're should be a lot more downs than ups. Now we get into rolling
hills and then downs again. None of it are gentle.
 |
| Turning from Valpe Ridge |
We are a little over a third
of the way, but the net up part of the trail has passed us. There are
two camps under a mile from the Rose Peak junction. We pass by them
pretty quickly and travel along the top of the ridges for a ways-this
part is called the Buckboard Trail-not sure why. Then we do a short
drop into the South Fork of Indian
Creek.
Then a steep climb out.
Once we get out of the Indian
Creek area, the wind takes over and blows strong. We rest a few
minutes, taking advantage of aa windbreak the ridge gives us, before
we continue on. Another quarter of a mile and we depart Valpe
Ridge.
And now we are preparing for a couple long stretches of trail. But it
is not as bad I feared. The side of ridge keeps us a little bit
protected from the wind and the Mid Road is more rolling than steep.
But my body is a bit tired so I am more moving than hiking.
 |
| A Hard Climb Ahead |
As you may have noticed, there are many pictures of cows on this trip. Sherri mentioned that her Dad knew how to talk with cows, a regular cow whisperer. Some of our cows have the impression, and probably rightfully, they own the land. So they did not take kindly at times to us invading their territory. But Sherri must of inherited some of her father's abilities as she was able to clear the way for us. But instead of whispering, she shouted at them. So she acquired a trail name, Cow Shouter.
 |
| Telles and Goat Rocks |
Goat
Rock
comes into view. For something so commonly named, this rock really is
attractive. As we round a bend, we also see Telles
Rock. No
idea why either was named the way they are. But we are making good
progress. Should be able to make it to our camp before it gets too
dark. Glad we will not have a repeat of last night.
 |
| More scenic hills |
As we enter into the San
Francisco Water District’s land, we only have two more miles to go
today. I rest for a few minutes here and there by taking pictures of
flowers and stuff. At least it feels somewhat productive. But I do
not doodle too much.
Andrea and I arrive at the
gate going into the Sunol Regional WIlderness, close to the same
time. Must be getting more tired as I get a bit turned around about
which way to go, but Andrea points me in the right direction about
where our camp is.
Stars Rest is the one of the
two higher camps at the Sunol Backpacking Camp. That means we go up a
little hill, which confession says I am not pleased with and there we
see the table for our food. Water is about a quarter mile away and
the outhouse is further. I suppose if the wind was not blowing so
hard, this would be a nice place to camp. But today, we are getting
some good sized gusts.
Sherri is getting dinner ready
while I get the tent set up. We are pretty exposed at the top of
this hill. But it is flat. Many stakes get put into the ground, so
just hoping the tent stays in place. Andrea’s tent is small enough
that she can fit it among the trees out of the wind.
 |
| Stars Rest is to the right |
Andrea went and got water.
But when she filled up the group filter, it started leaking. A couple
of reasons for this. First, the cap has developed a small leak and I
cannot see why. Second, the hose out the the part with the water
broke. Poor girl-this is truly empathetic, not sarcastic. I managed
to MacGyver a fix by cutting a small segment of hose from elsewhere
and joining the filter to the water tank area.
About the time we finished
eating, the rain started in. I make sure everything is covered up.
After a few minutes, I scot into the tent. Sherri is a bit slower,
but does not seem to have gotten too wet. At least she does not come
in like a drowned rat.
Trail Lesson:The
trail goes ever onward.
Breakfast
|
Lunch
|
Dinner
|
Snacks
|
Oatmeal
and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola..
|
Ritz Crackers, Tortillas,
Peanut Butter, Nutella
|
|
Clif Bar, GORP, Scratch,
Coffee Candy, Jelly Belly
|
 |
| Interesting shadow |
 |
| Top of La Costa Creek |
 |
| North Fork of Indian Creek |
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| Typical View |
 |
| North Fork of Indian Creek |
 |
| Seeing eye tree |
 |
| Sherri walking up the trail |
 |
| Andrea and Sherri coming from Rose Peak |
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| Sherri walking along the South Fork of Indian Creek |
 |
| Looking south west |
 |
| Sherrii, the cow shouter |
 |
| The road up is first down |
 |
| Gary, Andrea, Sherri |
 |
| Ma and Pa and the storm clouds |
 |
| South Bay Area |
 |
| Grass on hills |
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| Oak sentries guarding the ridge |
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| Daughter and Mother on the march |
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| Water District Border |
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| Mom and Dad lost in the grass |
 |
| She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes |
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| Water District Border |
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| Goat Rock |
 |
| The path |
Animals
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| Banana Slug |
Flowers and Plants
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| California Golden Poppies |
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| California Golden Poppies |
 |
| An Iris by Indian Creek |
 |
| Johnny Jump Ups |
Descent: 3,440' 
Andrea and I arrive at the
gate going into the Sunol Regional WIlderness, close to the same
time. Must be getting more tired as I get a bit turned around about
which way to go, but Andrea points me in the right direction about
where our camp is.
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