• Schedule
• Trail Information
• Map
• Notes about this hike
• General notes about hiking trips
• Pictures from previous hikes

• 7:45 AM.  Meet at Saratoga Plaza (Lions Plaza), outside the french Cafe/Bakery (Bijan).  Exact address is  441 Saratoga Ave, San Jose.  It's just off 280 and Saratoga Ave.  See map information below for more details.  We will determine carpool arrangements if necessary.
• 8:00 AM.  Leave for Summit Rock.  It'll take about 25-30 minutes to get there.
• 8:30 AM.  Start hiking - Summit Rock parking to Summit Rock, then hike to Castle Rock to Backpacker camp, to Summit rock parking.
• 12:00 PM.  Finish hiking the loop, head down to Saratoga downtown for lunch!
• 1:30 PM.  Finish lunch and meet back at Bijan Bakery.

Location:  Off Rt 35 (Skyline Blvd), about 2 miles south of Rt 9/Rt35 intersection.  About 10 miles from downtown Saratoga.
Distance: ~7 miles
Elevation change: +/- 600 ft, starting elevation is about 1800 ft.
Time: ~3 to 4 hrs, depending on breaks taken.
Difficulty:  Moderate
Trail conditions: Excellent combination of shade and sun.  ~1/2 sun, 1/2 shade.  Trails range from single man-width to car-width.  No wind to speak of.
What to see: Excellent views of Silicon Valley on one side (Summit Rock) and Santa Cruz mountains and the Pacific ocean on the other side (Castle Rock trails).

Park information: http://www.bahiker.com/castlerock.html
Trail map: http://virtualparks.com/parks/castle-rock-qtvr-map.html

Bijan Bakery The Bijan bakery is in the Saratoga Square plaza (Lions Supermarket).  It is just off 280, a few miles south of 85 and a few miles north of 17.  This is our main meeting place where carpool will be arranged. Unless indicated otherwise, please meet here. 1. From 280 North or South, get off on Saratoga Ave, towards North (from 280 North, it would be right turn, from 280 South, it would be left turn).  2. Make a left on Kiely Blvd, it is about 1/4 mile from 280. 3.  Make a left into the plaza driveway.  You'll see a store with the sign "Bakery" closest to Kiely Rd.  Burger King is across the parking lot in the same plaze. 4.  We'll meet in front of the bakery, by some outdoor cafe tables.   Use this link to get directions from your starting point: Directions.

Summit Rock parking 1. Take DeAnza or Saratoga Ave towards downtown Saratoga. 2. Turn onto Rt 9 towards Big Basin once you get to downtown Saratoga. You will pass through downtown Saratoga. 3.  Go on Rt 9 (all uphill, avg 35 mph) until you hit Rt35, otherwise known as Skyline Blvd.  4. Turn left on Skyline for about 2 miles.  The Summit rock parking is on your left.  If you pass this, you'll see the Castle Rock entrance a few more miles down, on your right.  Turn back to find Summit Rock parking.  There is space for maybe 10 cars.  If you are meeting us here, please wait by the trailhead.  Click on the map on the right to zoom in/out of the area.

Trail Map
We will follow the blue-arrows, starting at the Summit Rock parking lot.  After resting at Summit Rock, we'll proceed to Castle Rock, then follow the Saratoga Gap Trail until we hit the Castle Rock Trail Camp.  There are picnic tables here and we can take a rest.  Afterwards, we'll take the Longhry Woods Trail until we hit Rt35/Skyline.  Then we'll cross Skyline and end at the Summit Rock parking.

• We will start from the Summit rock parking, NOT Castle Rock parking.  The Summit Rock parking is about 2 miles before the Castle Rock parking, on Rt35/Skyline.
• Since we will pass by Saratoga downtown, let's have lunch there!
• If you have any questions, email me (pthuang@aol.com) or call me at (650) 814-1169 (cell).

• 1 to 2 bottles of water (I'll have extras if you forget)
• Suntan lotion (I'll have a bottle)
• Snacks - dried fruits, granola bars, etc.
• Sturdy shoes - hiking shoes or sneakers
• Sweatshirt/jacket (in case), sweatpants or shorts
• Hat (for sunny hikes)
• Money (for food if wanted)

Suggestions??  I'm thinking about a camping trip, perhaps Sanborn or Big Basin, or Big Sur.

June 3, 2001

June 23, 2001

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