What we’re about
We periodically welcome new members, when we begin to have no or small wait lists for scheduled hikes. Please send in a join request and you will likely become a member in 2-6 months. Our hikes are for adults only and no dogs please (thank you for your understanding). The South Bay Ramblers is a Bay Area hiking group that was formed in the South Bay with the goal of gathering people together to have fun, while getting plenty of exercise and making new friends. The South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group has been in existence since 2005 and we have been offering community hikes at least twice monthly since that time.
Our hikes generally cover six to ten miles and can be fairly strenuous. Our group has many wonderful organizers who are avid hikers who post regular hikes on our schedule. RSVPs open 15 days prior to the scheduled hike. We welcome and encourage all our members to help us lead hikes for the group.
Our hikes frequent the local Santa Clara County Parks, Open Space Preserves and Santa Cruz Mountains. Occasionally, we venture to Marin or the East Bay and sometimes organize other fun outings such as kayaking, day trips to places like Pinnacles, Ano Nuevo State Park, Redwood Zip Lines and other local attractions.
Please read our Hiking Disclaimer before joining the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group. By joining this group, you agree to all the terms and conditions of this waiver. We also recommend you explore our About page to discover a little more about how we run our group.
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Castle Rock to see Ramblers Memorial TreeWaterman Gap, Boulder Creek, CA
Last year, we set up an ongoing memorial at Sempervirens Fund to honor Ramblers who have passed. For raising a $1000, a tree has been dedicated to the Ramblers. Thanks to everyone that made donations and thanks to Julie for offering to lead a hike to go see the tree!
Here is a link to the dedicated tree information Ramblers Dedicated Tree.The hike will be about 7 miles with 1,250 elevation gain. We park at the meeting area and then we shuttle 4 or 5 cars just down the road to the starting location. We'll need drivers with cars that can take 4-5 people each.
Meet: at 9 am at Old Mill Road, at the junction of Highway 9 and 236 - 37.212531, -122.156651
Bring: water, layers and lunch.
What to expect: We meet at Waterman Gap, on a dirt lot on Old Mill Road. Please be careful when pulling into the lot. We will then shuttle to the trailhead on Highway 9 (4 min.). We will hike the trail counterclockwise, with some side options on fire roads to see views. The first 4 miles is a gentle up through redwoods, then oak and mixed forest—mostly fire road wide trail with some single track sections.
It is slightly more than 5 miles from the trailhead to get to the fire road to drop into Castle Rock Hollow – Sempervirens Fund’s latest acquisition. We will enjoy lunch there. Then, hike the last half mile to the Waterman Gap Trail camp. The restroom at the trail camp is a short distance before we go visit the tree dedicated to the Ramblers. Then we will return to the parked cars, and shuttle drivers back to the cars at the trail head. Total time is 4 to 4.5 hours, including lunch.Disclaimer: The South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers from any responsibility, liability, or claim in law or in equity. If you don't agree to these terms, DO NOT join this meetup event. The South Bay Ramblers does not certify the expertise of its event organizers - we are all volunteers. You are responsible for yourself. Please come prepared with appropriate hiking shoes, gear and water.
- Henry W. Coe (Hunting Hollow): Willson Peak Loop (10.5 miles, 2100 ft)Hunting Hollow Park Entrance, Gilroy, CA
Driving Directions: Google Maps can get you here. Just type in "Hunting Hollow". It's east of Gilroy, I assume that means 45 to 60 minutes for many of us.
Parking Fees: $6 ($5 for seniors) in self pay envelops.
Restrooms: At parking lot and Willson Camp (3.1 miles).
Route:
Hunting Hollow Road to Lyman Willson Ridge Tr., 0.7 miles, largely flat. Up to 6 stream crossings!
Lyman Willson Ridge Tr., and Bowl Tr. to Willson Camp, 3.1 miles, 1400 ft.
There are restrooms at Wilson Camp. We'll have our first break there (at about 4 miles). We'll have another break (at 7 miles).
Steer Ridge Rd. to Willson Peak, 1.9 miles, 500 ft.
Steer Ridge Rd. to Jim Donnelly Tr., 1.7 miles
Jim Donnelly Tr. down to Hunting Hollow, 3.0 miles.
One final creek crossing and we're back at the parking lot.
Weather: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.0953&lon=-121.4351&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphicalDisclaimer: The South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers from any responsibility, liability, or claim in law or in equity. If you don't agree to these terms, DO NOT join this meetup event. The South Bay Ramblers does not certify the expertise of its event organizers - we are all volunteers. You are responsible for yourself. Please come prepared with appropriate hiking shoes, gear and water.
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