Black Mountain - Rancho Cañada Del Oro

Level: Moderate (2B) Approximately 8.5 mi, 1800 ft gain

Meet: 4289 Casa Loma Rd, Morgan Hill, CA 95037.
Meet at the main parking lot. If the main lot is full, park at the overflow lot and follow the foot path back to the main parking lot.
Bathroom available at the main parking lot. No water.

Description:
From Highway 101 South, take the Bailey Avenue exit west. Then turn left onto McKean Road. Turn right onto Casa Loma Road. The parking area is at the end of the paved road on your left.

We will hike the perimeter of the preserve. We will start by ascending to Bald Peaks from Longwall Canyon trail, and will descend to the parking lot from Mayfair Ranch trail. Along our route, we will have views of the ridges and peaks around Santa Clara Valley, wind through chaparral, traverse mixed oak woodland and meadows, and meander along creeks.

We will hike at a moderate pace. We will take time to ascend Bald Peaks. This is a strenuous hike; however, it is not a workout hike.

Adverse weather or trail conditions may shorten or cancel the hike. We practice "leave no trace" and carry out everything we carry in.

Cold drinks and light snacks after the hike (optional).

This is a back country hike. Please complete your medical form and carry with you (hikers will be asked to confirm this with the leader)

Wear/bring: at least 1L water, lunch and something to sit on, completed Medical Form, sun protection, sturdy shoes / boots, layered clothing, poles if you use them.

Signup Instructions:

1. Signup for this hike via Sierra Club site ONLY. (Meetup site is for people to coordinate carpool amongst themselves only. Carpool transportation is at the sole risk of the participants.)
2. Please provide emergency contact name and phone number as well as your email and phone contact information when you signup.
3. Complete, print and bring with you the medical form for this outing. You will show me that the form has been completed and then you will stow it in your own first aid kit. In the event of a medical emergency, the form will be given to first responders, so include information that they should be aware of when providing you with emergency medical treatment.

Love our preserved, natural spaces? Why not join the Sierra Club? Conservation, protection and restoration projects can always benefit from greater support and you can help.

Join our email list: If you would like to be on our email list to receive our hike announcement and cancellation notice, please sign up here.

Sierra Club guide for our hike outings: Neither vaccinations nor masks are required. But if you are experiencing any COVID symptoms, are sick, or have recently tested positive for COVID do not hike with us on this day. Every participant is responsible for reporting these conditions to the leader if symptoms develop after the hike. We will then notify the other participants.

Cancellation Policy: steady rain; excessive heat; poor air quality