Sunol hike to "Little Yosemite"

Eleven happy hikers took a magical trip to "Little Yosemite," hidden in the hills of Sunol Regional Wilderness east of Fremont, on Saturday, March 21. With mild temperatures and a cool breeze, the trail led us through rolling emerald green hills spread with wild flowers and dotted with oak trees, rocky out croppings, and occasional clusters of cows.



When we got to the Little Yosemite area, we scrambled down a rocky trail into the ravine and sat on large boulders by the stream and waterfalls. Then we climbed back up to a large rock overlook dubbed "little El Capitan". Then we looped back via a different trail through more beautiful rolling hills on our way back down to the parking lot. A relaxing and refreshing hike, and amazingly it only took about three hours. (Approx. 5 miles, and probably close to 1000 ft. elev. gain)

Cross Country Ski fun, March 8-9

Perfect snow, clear skies, and mild temperatures set the stage for a great cross country ski weekend on March 8 and 9 at Tahoe Donner XC Ski Center. The roads were clear and uncrowded going up Saturday evening and back Monday afternoon. Bob and Norma took a Skate Skiing lesson on Sunday afternoon (whew! hard work.)


We stayed at Bob's condo at Northstar and had a relaxing and tasty spaghetti dinner with camaraderie and conversation on Sunday evening. Then on Monday back to Tahoe Donner for a beautiful X-C trip into the Euer Valley. Came back to the Tahoe Donner day lodge for a bowl of soup and some of Sandy's fresh fruit and berries. Then headed back to Benicia, mostly missing the rush hour traffic. Three hour drive at most. We are so lucky to be so close to Tahoe!