About us
Welcome to the most popular hiking group in the Bay Area. We like meeting new people and respect the environment at all times. Bay Area Hiking and beyond.
Interested in spending more time on the weekends in nature? Want to explore more of the Bay Area? Are you an afternoon person? Like to walk at a moderate pace? This may be the group for you! This Meetup is great for beginner or intermediate hikers. We will host a hike most Saturdays and Sundays. The hikes will average about five miles -- some shorter; some longer. Most hikes will be in the Bay Area within 90 minutes of Palo Alto in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey and Marin counties, although some will be farther away, e.g., Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.
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LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts in this group are not professional guides. The function of the organizer is only to organize the trip. each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. Our hike organizers are not responsible for your safety, these are always “Hike at your Own Risk” events.
By accepting membership in this group you acknowledge you have fully read, understand, and agree to the above.
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Upcoming events
5

Alum Rock and Sierra Vista 10.3 mi Moderate Plus Hike
Last Parking Lot at Alum Rock Park, 37.397081, -121.798203, San Jose, CA, USSIGN WAIVER HERE: https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/
For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile)
CARPOOL REQUEST COMMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED DUE TO THE LARGE SIZE OF THE GROUP. Please read below how to carpool.
Level: Moderate Plus
Total Distance: 10.3 miles, two loops and out and back sections
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Elevation Change: 2,277 feet
Parking fee: $6 per vehicle
Official Trail Use: No dogs.
Facilities: Restrooms located off the parking lot.
Please read our tutorial for hiking in the sun:
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/tutorials-how-to-hike-in-the-sun/ALUM ROCK TRAIL MAP:
https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showdocument?id=31867SIERRA VISTA TRAIL MAP:
https://www.openspaceauthority.org/sites/default/files/2025-10/SVISTrailMap_Georef_2025-10.pdfALLTRAILS MAP:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/alum-rock-sierra-vista-10-3-miles-0797317?u=i&sh=pyl4xmDRIVING DIRECTIONS:
(Most Cars) GPS Degrees Minutes Seconds Format:
37°23'49.5"N 121°47'53.9"W
(Google Maps) GPS Degrees Decimal Format:
37.397083, -121.798306
Nearest street address:
Use North Gate entrance. Drive here first:
15156 Penitencia Creek Rd, San Jose, CA
Then drive into the park all the way down about 1.5 miles to the gate.
WAZE APP:
The Google Waze app will route around "restricted access" roads, unlike the Google Maps app, using the same map data as Google Maps. Therefore, Waze is recommended over the Google Maps app for your phone.
If you have the Waze app installed on your phone, click this URL:
http://waze.to/?ll=37.397083,-121.798306&navigate=yes
Just click it. It will open Waze and start navigating to the North Gate.
As always, it is good practice to confirm the night before that any app you use takes you to where you expect by comparing the destination with what is posted above on your PC/Mac.
• Most street addresses provided are approximate, and may be up to a couple of miles from the hike location. Use GPS coordinates when driving, if possible.
Parking:
Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to find parking, and walk to the trail head.
Carpooling:
We will use this link for carpooling:
https://groupcarpool.com/t/9vhbi0
Please sign up here.
CARPOOLING MANNERS:
Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone.
Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above.
Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.
Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All".
Thank you for understanding.
HIGHLIGHTS
Alum Rock Park is one of California’s oldest municipal parks. Located within the Alum Rock Canyon in the foothills of the Diablo Mountain Range, the park’s 740 acres of natural, rugged, beauty provide visitors with many leisure outdoor activities including, hiking, jogging, bicycling and picnicking. Due to it’s proximity to rural, natural lands, the park is home to many wild animals. Those animals include mountain lions, bobcats, deer and a number of other smaller animals.
Special features of the park include Penitencia Creek which transects the entire park, the Mineral Springs area that contains active mineral springs and grottos, the Gazebo and the Log Cabin which was constructed in 1913. Nine reservable group picnic areas provide barbecue pits, picnic tables and nearby restrooms for groups ranging in size from 30 to 300. Boccardo Peak offers sweeping views of San Jose and neighboring cities. Sierra Vista includes elevated views of Alum Rock Park and the surrounding mountains.
TRAIL HIKING DIRECTIONS
->> Turn left from the end of the parking lot onto Alum Rock Falls Road for 0.1 miles.
->> Continue straight at the junction onto North Rim Trail for 0.4 miles
->> Turn right onto Weather Loop for 0.1 miles
->> Continue straight at the first junction onto Todd Quick Trail for 0.4 miles
->> Turn right at the first junction onto Boccardo Loop Trail for 0.2 miles staying right at the first junction and continuing to the second junction
->> Turn right to stay on Boccardo Loop Trail for 1.4 miles
->> Turn right onto Sierra Vista Trail for 0.5 miles
->> Turn right at the junction with Kestrel Trail to stay on Sierra Vista Trail for 0.7 miles
->> Turn right at the junction with Upper Calaveras Fault Trail for 0.5 miles
->> Continue straight through the next intersection onto Upper Calaveras Fault Trail 0.2 miles
->> Turn sharply right at the next intersection to stay on Upper Calaveras Fault Trail for 1.8 miles, passing straight through 3 junctions and continuing to the fourth junction
->> Turn right onto Sierra Vista Trail for 1.2 miles, passing straight through two junctions and continuing to the third junction
->> Turn right for a short distance, then turn left onto Boccardo Spur Trail and continue to Boccardo Peak for 0.2 miles. Enjoy the view.
->> Turn back down the Boccardo Spur Trail for 0.2 miles
->> Turn left onto Boccardo Loop Trail for 1.1 miles
->> Continue straight at the junction onto 0.1 miles to the second junction
->> Turn left onto Todd Quick Trail for 0.4 miles
->> Continue straight at the junction onto Weather Loop for 0.1 miles
->> Turn left onto North Rim Trail for 0.4 miles to return to the parking lotPLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION ABOVE BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE.
85 attendees
Santa Teresa CP: Coyote Peak 9.3 mi Moderate Hike
Santa Teresa County Park Joice-Gulnac-Bernal Ranch, 372 Manila Drive, San Jose, CA, USWAIVER: For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile):
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/
CARPOOL REQUEST COMMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED DUE TO THE LARGE SIZE OF THE GROUP. Please read below how to carpool.
Level: Moderate
Total Distance: 9.3 mile, loop
Hiking Time: 4.75 hours
Elevation Change: 1804 feet.
Parking fee: Use street parking near this entrance.
Official Trail Use: No dogs at this entrance.
Please read our tutorial for hiking in the sun:
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/tutorials/how-to-hike-in-the-sun/Facilities Restrooms located off the parking lot.
PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO GO BEFORE YOU ARRIVE SO WE CAN START ON TIME.
Recommended Map Santa Teresa County Park
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Documents/Santa-Teresa-map.pdf
• Please use the Google Maps link above to familiarize yourself with the trip and explore various route options from your home. Zoom in all the way.
• The GPS locations below and the map link above are accurate enough to find us by looking around with your eyes when you get there.
(Most Cars) GPS Degrees Minutes Seconds Format:
37°13'34.1"N 121°47'55.9"W
(Google Maps) GPS Degrees Decimal Format:
37.226140, -121.798872
Nearest street address:
372 Manila Drive, San Jose, CA
The Google Waze app will route around "restricted access" roads, unlike the Google Maps app, using the same map data as Google Maps. Therefore, Waze is recommended over the Google Maps app for your phone.
If you have the Waze app installed on your phone, click this URL:
http://waze.to/?ll=37.226140,-121.798872&navigate=yes
Just click it. It will open Waze and start navigating to the trail head.
• As always, it is good practice to confirm the night before that any app you use takes you to where you expect by comparing the destination with what is posted above on your PC/Mac.
• Most street addresses provided are approximate, and may be up to a couple of miles from the hike location. Use GPS coordinates when driving, if possible.
Parking:
Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to find parking, and walk to the trail head.
Carpooling: We will use this link for carpooling:
https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/8somap
Please sign up here.
CARPOOLING MANNERS:
Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone.
Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above.
Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.
Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All".
Thank you for understanding.
HIGHLIGHTS
Santa Teresa County Park located in the Santa Teresa Hills ten miles south of downtown San Jose. This diverse 1,673 acre park, rich in history, offers spectacular views from its trails above the Almaden and Santa Clara Valleys. The secluded upland valleys of the park provide a quiet interlude for exploring the natural environment minutes away from the surrounding developed areas.
AllTrails Link:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map--49163?p=-1&sh=pyl4xm&utm_medium=map_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality
TRAIL HIKING DIRECTIONS
Joice Trail 1.1 miles -> Bernal Hill Trail 0.2 miles -> Mine Trail 0.5 miles -> Stile Ranch Trail 1.6 miles -? Fortini Trail 0.8 miles -> Mine Trail 0.3 miles -> Rocky Ridge Trail 1.8 miles -> Coyote Peak Trail 0.3 miles to arrive at Coyote Peak.Coyote Peak Trail 0.4 miles -> Hidden Springs Trail 1.0 miles -> Ohlone Trail 0.1 miles -> Mine Trail 0.2 miles -> Norred Trail 0.8 miles -> Joice Trail 0.1 miles
PLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION ABOVE BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE.
51 attendees
Hayward Regional Shoreline and Cogwell Marsh: 8 mile Easy, Flat Hike
Hayward Regional Shoreline Parking, 2639 Grant Ave, San Lorenzo, CA, USSIGN WAIVER HERE: https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/
For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile):Join us for an easy walk/hike with lovely views of the bay. Much of the route is paved and almost entirely flat. Be aware that cyclists also like to frequent these trails. This is a short route and will go pretty quickly so no lunch break is planned.
The marsh may be closed or inaccessible, in which case we will return to the starting point. Please bear in mind that if we cannot not hike the marsh the total distance will be closer to 4-5mi. No closures are currently posted but I will check out conditions this weekend.
HIKING TIME: 2.5 - 3 hours
DISTANCE: 7.9 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: Approx. 100 feet (flat!)
ROUTE: out-and-back with two small loops
DIFFICULTY: Easy terrain and almost no elevation. First portion of the out-and-back is paved. Be prepared for mud!RULES: No dogs. Stay to the right to let bicycles pass and be aware!
FACILITIES: Restrooms at trailhead and at halfway point.
RECOMMENDED MAP:
https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/haywardshoreline_map.pdfMEETING PLACE:
Parking at trailhead. Plan to arrive 20 minutes early to find parking, and walk to the trailhead. Some street parking available.• Please use the Google Maps link to familiarize yourself with the trip and explore various route options from your home. Zoom in all the way.
• The GPS locations below and the map link above are accurate enough to find us by looking around with your eyes when you get there.(Most Cars) GPS Degrees Minutes Seconds Format:
37°40'10.6"N 122°09'27.8"W
(Google Maps) GPS Degrees Decimal Format:
37.669610, -122.157716
https://goo.gl/maps/pegE67ASumLzatK47If you have the Waze app installed on your phone, click this link. It will open Waze and start navigating to the trailhead.
http://waze.to/?ll=37.669610,-122.157716&navigate=yes• As always, it is good practice to confirm the night before that any app you use takes you to where you expect by comparing the destination with what is posted above on your PC/Mac
• Most street addresses provided are approximate, and may be up to a couple of miles from the hike location. Use GPS coordinates when driving, if possible.SUMMARY:
Hayward Regional Shoreline consists of 1,811 acres of salt, fresh, and brackish water marshes, seasonal wetlands, and public trails.
Cogswell Marsh, a 250-acre tidal marsh restoration and enhancement project, was completed in 1980. This area, once restored to tidal action, rapidly became an established saltwater marsh.HIKING DIRECTIONS:
→ San Francisco Bay Trail south to Hayward's Landing
→ Continue clockwise around Cogswell Marsh loop
→ Return north to halfway point with restroom and break at Winton staging area
→ Turn west along flood control channel
→ Turn north (right) to retrace steps along SF Bay Trail to return to starting pointALLTRAILS LINK:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/hayward-regional-shoreline--7GPX LINK:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1BCNsFBwgrF-oLOxrXnQ-7JoX-_kycOmXREFERENCES:
https://www.ebparks.org/parks/hayward/PLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION ABOVE BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE.
38 attendees
Woods Loop Huddart Park: 8.6 Mi Moderate Hike
Huddart County park, Zwierlein Parking Lot, Kings Mountain Rd, Woodside, CA 94062,, Woodside, CA, USWAIVER: For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile):
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/CARPOOL REQUEST COMMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED DUE TO THE LARGE SIZE OF THE GROUP. Please read below how to carpool.
Distance: With 8.6 mile Loop
Hiking Time: 4.5 hours
Elevation Gain/ Loss: 1715 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Agency: SMCP& R
Park Rules: No Dogs
Facilities: Toilets at trail head.
PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO GO BEFORE YOU ARRIVE SO WE CAN START ON TIME.
THE GROUP IS TOO LARGE TO WAIT FOR EVERYONE TO USE THE RESTROOM IN THE PARK
Recommended Map Huddart Park (SMCP& R)
http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/Attachments/parks/Files/Park%20Maps%20in%20PDF/Huddart%20Park%20Map.pdf
NAVIGATION:
• Please use the Google Maps link above to familiarize yourself with the trip and explore various route options from your home. Zoom in all the way.
• The GPS locations below and the map link above are accurate enough to find us by looking around with your eyes when you get there.
(Most Cars) GPS Degrees Minutes Seconds Format:
37°26'29.9"N 122°17'26.9"W
(Google Maps) GPS Degrees Decimal Format:
37.441636, -122.290803
The Waze App will route around "restricted access" roads, unlike the Google Maps app, using the same map data as Google Maps. Therefore, Waze also owned by Google, is recommended over the Google Maps app.
If you have the Waze app installed on your phone, copy and paste this URL into your phone's browser:
waze://?ll=37.441636,-122.290803&navigate=yes
Just click on it to open Waze and start navigating to the trailhead.
• As always, it is good practice to confirm the night before that any app you use takes you to where you expect by comparing the destination with what is posted above on your PC/Mac.
• Most street addresses provided are approximate, and may be up to a couple of miles from the hike location. Use GPS coordinates when driving, if possible.
PARKING:
The park as several parking lots that are spread out. Drive 400 ft past the first parking lot you see, to discover the giant parking lot at the Zwierlein picnic area. We will start the hike from here.
Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to find parking, and walk to the trail head.
Carpooling: We will use this link for carpooling:
https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/u3hp4f
Please sign up here.
CARPOOLING MANNERS:
Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone.
Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above.
Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.
Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All".
Thank you for understanding.
HIGHLIGHTS
Visitors encounter three different plant communities — redwood forest, mixed-evergreen forest, and chaparral — on this invigorating loop, which uses the Crystal Springs and Dean trails to explore some of the canyons and hillsides between West Union Creek and Skyline Blvd. (If you have time, also visit the Chickadee Nature Trail, a fully accessible trail that accommodates users of all capabilities; it starts beside the first parking area, the handicapped-only zone, on the right.)
HIKING DIRECTIONS
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/woods-loop-huddart-park-8-6-mi-56513bd?p=-1&sh=pyl4xm&utm_medium=map_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality
Start at the Zwierlein picnic area and head uphill (right) 0.10 towards Bay Tree Tree Trail-->
Turn Left onto the narrower Bay Tree Trail for 0.7 miles-->
Left onto Richards Road Trail (1.9 miles) -->
At Toyon Campground, continue on Richards Road Trail until intersection with Skyline Trail (1.0 miles) -->
Left onto Summit Springs Trail (0.7 miles) -->
Left Archery Fire Road (0.15 miles) -->
Left onto Chinquapin Trail (1.6 miles)
Continue on Dean Trail (0.2 miles) -->
Cross Archery Fire Road, and stay on Dean Trail (0.4 miles) -->
Again, cross Archery Fire Road, and stay on Dean Trail (0.4 miles) -->
Cross Campground trail, and stay on Deal Trail (0.3)-->
Passing Crystal Springs Trail on your left, stay to the right on Crystal Springs Trail (0.2 Miles) to Zwierlein picnic areaPLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION ABOVE BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE.
38 attendees
Past events
1007


