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Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 2:16 pm
by michaeljf
maverick wrote:Off topic I'm down to 45 mins from the parking lot to the top of of
Mission Peak with a 20lb pack, thats my magic number letting me
know Im ready to hit the mountains!
Excellent. Now I have a target and something to compare against. I'm partial to Horse Heaven Trail, too — less people, steep but not slippery, nice flowers and even a few Sierra-like rocks. No way I'm to the top in 45 though. And I'm pretty dead by the time I get down, so can't see doing it before work, unless my work has lots of nap time. You youngsters can go on ahead...

Only been down Bubb Creek once. Almost stepped on a rattlenake. Scared the crap outta me.

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 8:30 am
by DoyleWDonehoo
>>By the way, regarding Mission Peak, how long have you been using that as your training ground?

I was raised in Niles (Fremont) and lived there many years (in San Jose now) and I have climbed Mission Peak more times than I can count. I have gone from Ohlone College a number of times, but mostly I went up the west side from what was the winery. I usually took my 50 pound training pack. These days I hike the Santa Cruz Mountains, about a 1000 feet, about every other day with my same old 50 pound pack. I have been meaning to do Mission Peak some day soon for old times sake.

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 11:00 am
by giantbrookie
Regarding Mission Peak etc., you guys are pretty dedicated. I did Mission less in three years than you folks do in a few weeks or months (about 10 times total from 2002-2004). 45 min. is impressively fast. In 2002 before they posted signs to cut off the shortcuts, my best was 49 min taking advantage of several of the shortcuts, but that rose into the 50's once I stuck to the trail. I did in fact have a sort of competitive thing going on that trail and would do my best to overtake and pass anyone I saw in the distance ahead--good thing I never ran into Maverick. I would have ended up in the hospital if I tried to overtake someone on a 45 minute pace! Regarding other Bay Area 'warmup' hikes, I never did much in the off season prior to 2002, but a favorite of mine that I mainly did in the name of geologic research, was Montara Mtn. That hike features some stunning spring wildflowers (lots of wild irises, for example) and great ocean views that even included a whale or two at times.

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 11:46 pm
by michaeljf
Lived in Fremont since '87. Hiked on Mission Peak more times than I can count, but don't always go all ther way to the top. I did today, though. Thought I'd see how far I could get in 45 minutes. Only about 2/3 up the south route (sort of Horse Heaven Trail, but veers off a bit). 23 lb. pack. After I decided there was no chance of getting anywhere near Maverick's time, I started goofing off photographing flowers. Didn't top out until 2 hours in, which is slow even for me, but it was a nice day on the hill.

The shortcuts on the main trial are still posted as "don't go here", but apparently the vast majority of bozos hiking there think the signs mean the opposite, 'cause most of them were shortcutting. Usually big groups having loud conversations and dropping snot rags on the road. Horse Heaven Trail usually less crowded, but today had lots. Even saw a bunch of backpackers there today, heading over the hill.

I prefer the Ohlone trailhead, but being cheap, I only go there when the college isn't enforcing the parking fee. On the other hand, got a $60 parking ticket at the Stanford Ave trailhead last year, so maybe there is no escape.