Trip Notes - Rancho San Antonio OSP: Black Mountain

Photo: Barb at the summit of Black Mountain, doing the Nick Pose.

Trail Head: The end of Rhus Ridge Rd. in the Los Altos Hills.

Weather: Mostly sunny. 64 at the trail head, 52 and breezy at the summit.

Mileage: Out and back hike with 9.4 miles total. 

Elevation: 500 at the trail head and 2810 at the summit for a 2310 ft. elevation change.

Difficulty: Strenuous. The first .9 miles and last 1.2 to the top are the grueling parts.

Fees: None

No bathrooms at the trail head and limited parking.

Birds: California Quail, Black Phoebe, and possibly California Towhee.

Dinner: The Old Pro Sports Bar in downtown Palo Alto.

Participants: (16) Jill John, Rich Todd, Lindsey Flores, Jeff, Alice and Steven Fotheringham, Jackie & Dave Lederle, Debbie & Don Fantazia, Jeanette Farley, Barb Hayes, Rachel & Sierra Golding, Eric and Becky Teberg.

Comments: It was a comedy of errors. We were late, had to play musical car parking at the trail head and overflow and missed our meeting with Lindsey. Afterward, we lost the lead car to the restaurant and toured the southern peninsula before heading home. It was a good exercise of a hike, though. And we did meet Lindsey and Geoff (Jeff) on their way down but I forgot to get their photo. Fun pre-dinner time at the trail head. The fish tacos at the restaurant were very yummy.