INCH Hike: Priest Rock Trail

1066. Priest Rock Trail (01/07/17)

Hikers (20): Arlene, Brad, Chris P, Craig A, Ellen, George, Karl, Kathryn, Kendra, Kevin, Mihail, Mike He, Peter, Russell, Sabine, Sarbinder, Sophie, Steve, Tiffany, Vicki
Distance: 8 miles
Rating: 3 difficulty, 9 beauty
Park info: Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve near Los Gatos

Write-up by Peter -- Pictures by Karl

Twenty intrepid hikers showed up on a soggy, cold, windy day for the first hike of the new year. The good news was that it would be a short one, thanks to the NFL playoffs.

Crazy hikers won't be deterred by a little bad weather

UG shows off his see-through poncho. I'm just glad he was wearing something under it.

Sabine uses umbrella power to charge up the hill

It was a slog up the hill in the wind and rain

More shiggy en route to the top

The Priest took a page out of Big Henry's playbook as we neared the top. Howling winds and driving rains descended on us. As Karl said, there was no choice but to touch the sign at the top because the wind pushed us straight into it! Some crazies even continued on and did the longer route, but for most of us it was a quick U-turn and then back down to the warmth of our cars.

UG heading for cover

Milestones:
Arlene's 150^th leaf
George's 430^th leaf
Kendra's 40^th leaf
Peter's 530^th leaf
Sophie's 220^th leaf