Please don't respond NO unless you already had a YES or MAYBE (will reduce my email burden)!
Also, please use YES if you are sure you're coming. MAYBE is what you should use if you are non-commital (and that's ok for this event).

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Time Table
06:00 PM Begin Ascent from the trail head using the Horse Heaven Trail (to the right) STEEP!
07:30 PM Summit
07:30 PM Sunset
08:15 PM Begin Descent (the prettiest color always occurs about 20-30 minutes after sunset)
09:45 PM Return to starting location.

This is not a meetup in the normal sense.
There is no penalty for being a "no show" and there are unlimited YES/Maybe RSVPs spots. Your Maybe gives me and others a hint that you are THINKING of coming. There is no commitment on your part. If you're NOT firm about attending, please mark yourself as a Maybe rather than a Yes. If you do NOT join the RSVP list, I will have no way to notify you about any changes in the plan.

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A Note About Weather
In the event of an unlikely 40% or better forecast for rain or thunderstorms I will not go on this hike. I will try to update this page two days in advance but use your own judgment please.

As always YOU are responsible for your safety, not the organizers, assistant organizers or other members. Among other things, this means that you are responsible for being prepared, deciding what is or is not an acceptable risk to you and if you are physically fit enough to engage in any activity.

HIKING ROUTE AND DISTANCE:
The hike will proceed up the steep trail which proceeds to the right and then sharply up. Once on the ridgeline, the ascent to the top is much easier via this route than the "normal" route .. but before you get to the ridge it's VERY steep in places. This route also includes hiking through a wooded section, crossing two three streams which are almost always muddy, but not deep. This trail is about 2.9 miles to the summit. We may return down the "normal" trail making the trip about 6 miles in total..

HIKING ELEVATION AND DIFFICULTY:
The bottom is at 200 ft. The top is at 2517 ft. This is a STEEP hike. The journey is comparable to going to the top of Nevada Falls along Yosemite's Mist Trail. At the bottom you may overheat. If the wind is blowing or the fog comes in the top can be quite cold. Be prepared with layers of clothing. See below for what to bring.

Most people who walk or hike regularly take 90 minutes to reach the top. Less fit people may take as much as three hours. People who don't hike regularly may not make it at all. You are welcome to TRY but accept that you may have to stop and turn around (no shame in that!). My pace will be a 90 minutes-to-the-summit hike with short breaks for water.

WHAT TO BRING:

• sturdy shoes (hiking boots recommended). A good tread is important to keep your footing.
  
• headlamp - it will be dark on the way down.
  
• warm sweater
  
• windbreaker
  
• small towel (to wipe off sweat and/or to sit on at the summit)
  
• knit hat and
  
• light gloves.
  
• a liter of Gatorade or the equivalent (something with electrolytes is preferable to water!)
  
• Snacks
  
• Camera, tripod, film/memory cards, extra battery
  
• an extra pair of thick socks

I also recommend having a full sized towel, a dry shirt and comfortable shoes to change into at the end of the hike.

DIRECTIONS:
Take 880 to Mission Boulevard. Follow Mission Boulevard under 680 and keep going. Stanford avenue and the park are well marked. Turn right at Stanford Avenue and follow it to the end where the trail head is.

PARKING:
The parking is free and there is usually some at the end of Stanford Avenue... HOWEVER... the lot officially closes at 10:00 pm and we may not make it down until 10:30 or even as late as 11:00 PM so I advise parking a block and a half down on Vineyard Avenue. See the map. There have been break ins to cars parked in the lot (and presumably on Vineyard Avenue) so keep your valuables out of sight!

Via this route there is only a bathroom at the trail head - we do not pass one further up.

QUESTIONS:
Q: Do you ever arrange these hikes on a weekend?
A: No. I have other fun on my weekends. Besides the place is crowded on weekends!

Q: How strenuous is it really?
A: Have you ever climbed 300 flights of steps? Well there you go ... except that steps are a little easier.

Q: How do I know if I'm ready to do this?
A: Are your feet, knees and ankles in good shape? Do you have the proper footwear and clothing? Can you walk up and down 20 flights of stairs in 15 minutes without dying?

Q: Is there something I should try before I attempt this?
A: Hmmh, you're really afraid aren't you? Ok, take to the Pleasanton Ridge Trail to the top. That's about 1500 feet up and 2.5 miles. So it's less steep and less long. Or hike with me around Maguire Peaks. That's about 6.5 miles round trip, but not nearly as steep.

Q: What's it like at the top at night?
A: Gorgeous. You have to see it to know.

Q: Steven, I hear you give out "awards" to people who make it to the summit for the first time.
A: Yep, I'll take your picture from the summit. With cooperation from the weather it might look something like this, except with a better subject: