Sunday, April 27, 2014

Almaden Quicksilver

I've been wanting to do a hike in Almaden Quicksilver for awhile now.   You've probably biked past this park's entrance on Almaden Road on your way to do Hicks.  I planned to do a 7.6 mile hike but I got lost (probably on account of the shirtless runner who was quite the distraction), so, I think I did 4 miles.

Way off in the distance is downtown San Jose,  I also caught glimpses of Mt. Hamilton.

I like to listen to classical music when I'm hiking.  I don't want to hear the sounds in the woods.  You know, like what was that sound!  What's waiting around the bend?  Some hairy thing with fangs and drool?  Kind of like things that go bump in the night when you're a little kid and you're scared of what might be under the bed.  Then again, being a menopausal woman, I'd now tell the "thing" under the bed that if it knows what's good for it, it better stay under the bed.

I only encountered butterflies and wildflowers on this hike ... oh and the shirtless runner.

I like hiking.  I like using the whole body.  Wait, wait for it, you know, just like sex.  Oh oh, I'm being naughty.  Again.  Blame it on the shirtless runner. 

I didn't realize that mountain bikers use this park as well.  It doesn't seem particularly technical - wide fire access roads without much rock or gravel  with steady uphill climbs.  A good place for me to start if I ever get a mountain bike. 

I plan to return -- there are a lot of junctions in which to select a trail.  It is pretty much exposed so a hat and water are a must.  Next time, I might try to not get lost.  Who am I kidding.  Besides, it's fun to lose oneself in beautiful surroundings.

1 comment:

Alison Chaiken said...

My favorite part of hiking that park is always to be startled by how steep Hicks really is.

Your photos are always fine. These made me feel my first twinge of missing California, not that it is downright scenic here in Niedersachsen. I look forward to hiking in the hills when I return.

I listen to classical music while I work. When I comment on friends' blogs, I listen to Stevie Wonder.