5. Sunol Peak (02/25/23)

Hikers (14): Christina, Giulia, Hong, Jarda, Manfred, Mihail, Milon, Nagendra, Peter M, Qi, Sarbinder, Sophie, Steve, Theresa
Distance: 17 miles
Rating: 4 difficulty, 9 beauty
Park info: Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park near Sunol

Steve owes a writeup! -- Pictures by Qi, Milon, Sophie and Steve

Kudos to Kevin and Arlene, who did most of the hike, but skipped the farthest corner of the route, as well as Kendra, who did a different cache-friendly route.

With 5.6k ft of elevation gain, several were asking for a level 5. But Peter M said it was easy, so have to stick with the 4. It was definitely a fun hike, with plenty of new trails, landslides, and snow (and snowballs). Even better, we hit the perfect weather window--drizzle stopped just before the hike started and kept clear all day including the extended after-party.

Starting off from Tyler Ranch and its new, large parking lot

Green hills as far as the eye can see. . .with some snow on the peaks

All new trail. Everyone in the picture would soon miss the turn. . .

Arrow for the turn

This let three of us get a lead on everyone else, which provided the opportunity to be the first through this landslide. . .

Looks like some snow on our highest peak of the day

Getting close (but we'd soon turn back downhill for a while and then head up to the peak)

Finally to the summit

Someone had built a little snowman

Clear day provided good views in all directions

Snowballs!

Monument Peak, Mt. Allison, and Mission Peak had plenty of snow

Meandering return route provided nice views of Niles Canyon

New retaining wall looks solid but we'd soon find a breach farther down the trail

Novel beer tap

Milestones:
Nagendra's 1^st leaf
Theresa's 1^st leaf

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