Since I’ve been training to hike up to Cloud’s Rest this August I’ve been hiking in the mountains that surround Santa Clara Valley. I’ve hiked to Mission Peak, Mt. Allison, and Black Mountain. I decided that I’d like to conquer Mt. Umunhum too. It is a mountain that lies to the south of me in the Santa Cruz Mountain Range. Its name is from the Ohlone Indians that once called this valley home. It means “Resting place of the Hummingbird.”
It is a peak that has been a landmark, and barring marker to me since I moved to Santa Clara Valley in 1968. On top of Mt. Umunhum Summit sits a 5 story early-warning radar Station. Mt Umunhum was a former site used by Almaden Air Force that operated from 1958 to 1980. Years ago the county acquired the land for Open Space and is in the process of cleaning up the summit so we all can use the space for exercise and leisure. I hoped I would be able to get up there. This was my goal to conquer/summit Mt. Umunhum. I was in good company too. Heman joined me for this hike, and I was hiking it sans hot tea, caffeine of any sort, and with only 4 hours sleep!
Our route started on the Woods Trail which is aptly named. It is shaded by large trees, and the first 3 miles is mostly flat, with some gentle ups and downs. I moved really fast here.
At Barlow Road we turned left. You begin to climb straight-away on this fire road. You climb 800 ft in the space of 1 mile. There are fewer shade trees along this road, but there are views of the canyon, and of the valley looking south. Several Butterflies and I enjoyed the late-blooming Red Maids, and Brittlebush lining the road.
The trail ends at Mt. Umunhum Road. Here I discovered the “No Trespassing” signs and warnings NOT to venture up to Mt. Umunhum’s summit.
Alas, it isn’t open yet, so we hiked up to the summit of Bald Mountain instead.
Turning left on Mt. Umunhum Road we followed it about 0.3 miles to the trail-head of Bald Mountain. This is an easy 0.7 mile trail to the summit. Also aptly named; this mountain has no shade, it’s a grassy summit.
It was a long hike. Best done in the morning during the warmer months. I liked the Woods Trail best for its shade, and the views. Mt. Umunhum is still on my list to conquer. I’ll hike this route again when it’s open which I’ve read since doing this hike could be this fall.
Hike Stats:
11 miles
1800 ft elevation gain
4 hours 40 minutes total time
UPDATE: Reader Steven Christenson sends this KQED report on Mt. Umunhum
Yesterday afternoon I felt the rumble of a large vehicle, and heard the sirens of several firetrucks pass by my house. Dropping everything to run out the door to see what was going on I smelled smoke and saw the trucks were not too far away as I reached the end of my driveway. I raced back in the house for my camera then dashed back out to run up the block. A house up the street was on fire! A homeowners worst nightmare to be sure. I arrived only seconds after the fire trucks and already the firemen had sprung into action.
This lad was setting up the hose, and firemen were already in the house. He gives the fireman at the hydrant the thumbs up signal. All is ready to go.
Photograph by Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.
Turning on the spigot
Photography by Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights ReservedPhotograph by Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.Photograph by Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.
The rescue! I heard the fireman say, ” he/she was right near the door and came right to him.” A very uplifting moment in an otherwise very tense, and somber time.
Photograph by Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.
Minutes after this the firemen came off the roof. They were making great headway in knocking this fire down. Thankfully, no one was hurt. I haven’t heard today how much damage was sustained, but it didn’t look as bad as it could have been. I’m grateful for these suburban heroes whose quick action, skill, and professionalism not only saved this dog, but saved the house from total ruin. Thank you San Jose Fire Department Station 14!
Photograph by Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved. Fawn
Descending Vista Point one morning I rounded a bend in the trail and stopped dead in my tracks. There 25ft away was this little fawn (see photo above). It’s mother was on the other side of the trail in the trees waiting for the fawn to cross the trail. Startled by hikers coming up the trail it had stopped then I happened along. It looked at me and headed in the opposite direction of its mother. Then timidly it crept up to this tree and watched me and its mother. It’s mother was not happy; she pranced and paced back and forth with worry. I wasn’t sure what I should do…wait and hope the mother crossed, or the fawn crossed, or just move on. I took a few quick photos. We hikers looked at each other wondering what would happen next then the Mother bounded up the hill the wrong way! Then the fawn sped down the hill into the bushes the wrong way! I continued down the mountain all the while hoping they’d reunite.
An anxious Doe!
Photography By Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.
I hiked a lot of miles in June. My elevation gained totals are incredible. The total floored me again when I added it up. I took a lot of neat wildlife and flower photographs while hiking in this park during the month of June, but these two photos are my favorites.
Just seven more weeks until the big hike to Yosemite’s Cloud’s Rest. I still am on track for successfully completing that hike.
*6/2/2011- 8.15 miles, 2,170ft, 3h10m PG&E trail out & back
6/7/2011- 10 miles, 2,549 ft, 4h 33m Rhus Ridge to Black Mt Trail out & Back
6/10-12/2011- about 11 miles, at various parks and site around Sonoma Coastal area. Many parks were closed due to budget cuts so we had to drive to other locations to do any hiking.
6/16/2011- 8.15miles, 1,962ft, 3h 5m, PG&E out & back to Vista Point
I bought the Garmin Edge 500 GPS unit to use while hiking. I like knowing all the details, and how far I’ve hiked. This little unit tells me everything I want to know. I doubt I’ll use all the features of this unit. It’s packed with them! I used it for the first time this morning. I plugged it into my Garmin Connect account a few minutes ago, et Voila! Look at all these details, and a map of my hike!
These are who we’ve come to see. Their ensemble is quite elaborate with both their riding pants, and bolero jackets being covered with sequins that glint, sparkle in the afternoon or evening light. The Matador is sequined in Gold and their costume is called. “Suit of Light”. Matadors have worn suits like this since the 1800’s.
Matadors are professionals. They have training, and have gone through a ceremony to become professional called the “alternativa”.
Bullfighting is considered a Performance Art, not a sport. There is no contest or elements of competition among the bullfighters.
When the Matador first faces the bull he uses the pink cape and tries to tire the angry bull out, and weaken him.
While watching the Matador lead the bull around the ring I kept thinking, “It’s a dance.” The Matador is very graceful, and his steps are small, quick, and purposeful. Notice his shoes? They remind me of ballet slippers. Notice too how he holds his feet. He rarely stands with his feet apart. He stands tall, and I want to say compact…his limbs are held in close so he can move quickly if needed.
When the Matador feels the bull is tired, and weakened he switches to the Red Cape, and his sword. The last of the dance is about to begin.
In some countries the Matador would kill the bull, but the Portuguese and Azorean style the sword is symbolic, and used for traditions sake. The bull is not killed. The Matador uses his “Velcro dart” to symbolically kill the bull. In California it is illegal to kill the bull as well.
The best Matadors kill the bull on the first strike. The fans applaud, and chant Bravo! They toss him single flowers, and bouquets, as he walks around the arena thanking the fans for their support.
“…the glory of our parklands is too precious to be sacrificed…Steps must be taken to protect our dearly won recreation lands…”~ J.D. Grant, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.
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