On Sunday, February 10, 2002, six of us hiked the now very familiar Castle Rock/Summit Rock loop. These six are: Duc & Yen-Chi, Greg, ThuHuong, Khanh, and myself - Paul. This was hike #25 (since June 2001) and the 6th time we've gone on this hike. The visibility was wonderful that day as we sat on Summit rock overlooking Silicon Valley below. The temperature, too, was as comfortable as can be and it felt more like late spring, rather than late winter. As we rested on the many sandstone formations, large birds, perhaps turkey vultures, glided by, some so close that you could almost touch them! After the hike, we had lunch in downtown Saratoga in a quaint sandwich shop with tables and chairs made from naturally-cut local wood. A total distance of about 7 miles, the elevation change was about 400 to 500 ft, a fairly relaxing hike. Join us next time for this popular trail!
Yen-Chi and Greg climbing up Summit
Rock.
On top of the world!! Ok.. maybe
not, but top of the vallye at least.
Duc, Yen-Chi, and ThuHuong
Surveying the surrounding mountains
and valley: Duc, Greg, and Khanh
From west looking towards the east.
Mission peak is almost at the exact center of this picture.
Awww....
Climbing down Summit Rock - careful!
(It's not so difficult if you just find the proper footholds)
Group picture on the platform overlooking
the Castle Rock falls.
ThuHuong, Greg, Khanh, Paul, Duc,
and Yen-Chi
Wow, the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains.
Taking a final break at a picnic
table in the backpacker camp before completing the loop.
What a lovely wild flower, spring
is indeed just around the corner!