INCH Hike: Priest Rock Trail

1016. Priest Rock Trail (01/09/16)

Hikers (32): Alan, Biz, Brad, Carissa, Carol, Chris P, David, George, Heyning, Janice, Jarda, JB, Jeffrey L, Jim, Jiri, Karl, Kathryn, Kendra, Mihail, Mike He, Peter, Peter E, Ross, Russell, Sabine, Sarbinder, Shuli, Sophie, Stacey, Steve, Susan CF, Vicki
Distance: 8 miles
Rating: 3 difficulty, 9 beauty
Park info: Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve near Los Gatos

Peter owes a writeup! -- Pictures by Jiri and Karl

Let's get the show on the road -- 1, 2, 3, INCH!

The Priest had a misty day in store for us

Continuing uphill after the Limekiln intersection

The summit was in sight -- sort of

The legendary sign was waiting for our tender caress

Russell knows you gotta touch the sign to get credit for the hike

So do Jiri, Kathryn, Ross, and my Gatorade bottle

Jarda and Kendra join the exclusive club

Some of the group continued on a longer loop

The rain did not dampen Kathryn and Peter's spirits on the Limekiln Trail

A subset of the group took the Kennedy/Limekiln outer loop. A smaller subset did a side trip to Mt. El Sombroso (2999 feet -- so close!). It was the first time for me to do either one, and I still made it back in time for football!

Honorable mention to Taylor, Danny, Julie, and Alex for doing the short loop up Priest Rock and down Limekiln. Danny will be ready for his first full leaf soon!

Milestones:
JB's 1^st leaf
Mihail's 10^th leaf
Peter E's 130^th leaf
Sarbinder's 80^th leaf
Susan CF's 1^st leaf