April 23, 2005 :
Hiking at Crystal Springs

On Saturday, April 23, join fellow NCSWAns for guided hikes on the watershed above Crystal Springs Reservoir in San Mateo County. In 2003, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which owns the 23,000 acres watershed, opened this pristine and previously off-limits area to limited, guided hikes. As the SFPUC describes it, hikers walk through “pristine stands of old growth Douglas Fir, evergreen and fragrant coastal scrub while enjoying ridge-top vistas of our watershed lands, reservoirs, the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay.” The land harbors more than 165 species of birds, 800 species of plants and trees, 50 species of mammals, and 30 species of reptiles.

In addition to the trained docents that lead these hikes, the SFPUC is arranging for staff naturalist to accompany our tours to provide in-depth information about the area’s flora and fauna. To learn more about the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail, the official name of the trail, visit http://sfwater.org, scroll to the bottom of the page, and select the link with the trail name.

Two NCSWA tours will be led: one starting at 10 a.m. and the second at 11 a.m. There’s a possibility a third tour will be added, so anyone on a wait list will be added to that tour if SFPUC can find the additional staff to offer it. Parking and the trailhead are on Highway 92 about two miles west of 280. Details will follow for those signed up.

Group size is limited to 17, and children under twelve “are discouraged,” says the SFPUC.

The 10 a.m. hike will go for about 7 miles, and lead to sweeping vistas. The length can be “negotiated,” as hikers walk back the way they came. If the group wants to turn back earlier or, for that matter, continue on a little longer, hike leaders can accommodate that. The 11 a.m. hike will last for about 4 miles, with the same option about distance. And the good news is the hard part is finished first!

Here’s a trail description: “The trail surface is compacted gravel. The first 1-1/2 miles is steep with the first mile the steepest. The trail begins to level out at mile marker 1+ with a very nice scenic overlook of the Bay Area and both Lower and Upper Crystal Springs Reservoirs. The first toilet facility (other than the one in the Skyline Quarry trailhead) is at mile marker 2. There is no water available on the trail. Bring a lunch, as there will be a lunch stop.

COST: Free

HOW TO SIGN UP
Act fast! This event is expected to fill quickly. Please email your RSVP to sbohan@stanfordalumni.org. And, sorry, due to the limited number of slots, only one guest per member can be accommodated. If you'd like to bring a guest, please reserve a spot for two. Otherwise, we'll assume it's for one. (If the third tour is offered, we may be able to expand the number of guests allowed. Please note if you’d like to bring additional guests if space opens.) Also, specify if you want the long or short hike – we’ll fill those request on a first-come basis.

Hope to see you on the 23rd!