Ever since the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) incorporated the Mt. Umunhum area into its Sierra Azul preserve in 2017, Lori and I have wanted to visit it. We did it today!
Having heard that the parking lot can fill up, we arrived at the mid-level parking lot at 9 on Friday. There were 7 cars, and the parking lot held about 20, so we were good. By the time we got back to the parking lot at 2, there were still quite a few spots open, so mid-week is a good time to come here.
Since the trail was recently opened, the facilities and trails were in lovely shape. We ascended up through the oak woodlands, and I tried to remember some of the Ohlone names for the local flora.
On a clear day the four highest peaks in the Bay Area you can see from here include:
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Mt. Umunhum Road is hard on Volkwagen Bugs |
Lori and the city of San Jose |
Lori near the beginning of the trail up to the old Almaden Air Force radar facility |
American vetch |
Merriam's chipmunk |
Bush poppy |
The mostly shaded Mt. Umunhum trail |
The trail goes through a grove of lovely manzanitas |
The base of the old Almaden Air Force radar sail looms large |
Lori takes lunch where part of the facility used to exist |
San Jose beyond the base |
Me and Lor at the lunch spot--at 3,489 ft, it's the 3rd highest peak visible from Mt. Umunhum |
We were visited by a western fence lizard |
San Jose from a secluded vista point |
The sun peeks behind the tower |
The radar sail base |
Mt. Hamilton--at 4,265 ft, it's the highest peak visible from Mt. Umunhum |
Mt. Diablo behind San Jose--at 3,849 ft, it's the 2nd highest peak visible from Mt. Umunhum |
Mt. Tamalpais--at 2,579 ft, it's the 4th highest peak visible from Mt. Umunhum |
The radar sail base and visitor center |
This cabin far from civilization, of which only remnants remain, was built in the early 20th century and was once occupied by Gwendolyn Alice Boyer |
The Guadalupe overlook |
Pacific hound's tongue |
California tortoiseshell |
The radar sail base in a different light as we walk down the mountain |
Sierra shooting star |
Mt. Umunhum Road is hard on Volkwagen Bugs |
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Copyright © 2022 Bill Wohler Last modified: Sat 19 Mar 2022 08:19:14 PM PDT About photos |
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