Name: Winter hike of Mt Umunhum (South San Jose)
Start: 2024-12-22T10:00:00-08:00
End: 2024-12-22T12:00:00-08:00

After decades of being closed to the public, **Mt Umunhum AKA Mt Um** opened in Sep 2017. A popular hike, we have since had **our own Mt Um hike series** that emphasizes different aspects each time.

This time we start at the top, then hike down the Mt Umunhun trail. Nicely graded, it passes by several viewpoints and historic sights including a former homestead. **Distance: 4 miles roundtrip**. Summit elevation: 3488'. Gain/loss: 800'. Cumulative: 1570'. We hike at a moderate pace.

At the top, one can see Silicon Valley, all the way up to SF, Mt Tam & Mt Diablo, all the way down South Valley & Mt Sizer, and all the way over to Monterey & the Pacific Ocean.

**Meet at the Park N Ride to carpool to the trailhead.** The drive takes 25 minutes: **[https://goo.gl/maps/8E8Q37kWTRgfLSU27](https://goo.gl/maps/8E8Q37kWTRgfLSU27)**

To RSVP, put yourself on the waitlist. Limited number of people can go due to Mid-Pen restrictions. No +1 guests. Members only. No dogs.

**History and Preservation Status**

The lands surrounding Mt Umunhum are considered sacred to the native Ohlone Indians. They named the peak "Umunhum" meaning "Resting Place of the Hummingbird".

In the mid-1950s, the US Air Force built Almaden Air Station atop Mt Umunhum. It was a Cold War era radar station, designed to keep Silicon Valley safe from Soviet attacks that never came. The military left in 1980.

Mid-Peninsula Open Space District bought the land and starting in 2009, received funds to remove the military buildings and clean up the hazardous waste on the site. Due to public pressure, they left the cube-shaped Radar Tower base AKA The Cube atop Mt Um. In 2016, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted to preserve this building permanently.

The [Umunhum Conservancy](http://umunhumconservancy.org) has worked tirelessly to save this historic building. At this point, the Cube is "saved" but not yet "preserved in perpetuity". Much work and dollars is needed for true preservation.

The Cube can be seen from many spots when we hike the nearby mountains or walk around Silicon Valley. It is a South Bay landmark.

In Sep 2017, Mid-Pen opened Mt Um's hiking trails to the public. But as of this writing, hiking groups of 20+ hikers are still not permitted to hike it on weekends.

Update: In 2022 after 4.5 years, Mid-Pen finally made repairs to the Cube. This should have been done BEFORE Mt Um was opened to the public in Sep 2017. Mid-Pen has re-opened the area around the base of the Cube.

**Cost**

$5 gas money, each passenger gives their driver
Parking is free at both parking lots

**Websites**

[Mt Um preserve](https://www.openspace.org/mount-umunhum )
[Opening Day SJMN](http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/03/mount-umunhum-closed-for-decades-opening-sept-16-17/)

**Photos**

[Bumblebee on coyotemint, Jun 2024 (PC: Tam L)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/1/8/7/highres_521925447.jpeg)
[Face The Sun, Dec 2023 (PC: Stan)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/5/b/highres_517683419.webp)
[Mt Um in the distance, Dec 2022 (PC: Henry C)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/8/3/2/highres_517158482.webp)
[Sunset, Jun 2022 (PC: Stan)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/c/c/6/highres_504615558.webp)
[East Peak under repairs, Dec 2021 (PC: Stan)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/c/d/9/highres_500771481.webp)
[Summit shot, Jun 2021 (PC: Thuy)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/b/3/highres_497041715.webp)
[Masked hikers, Sep 2020 (PC: Marianne)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/8/1/1/highres_492419409.webp)
[Framed in fog, Jun 2020 (PC: Stan)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/1/f/d/highres_490857853.webp)

[Perfect sunrise, Sep 2019 (PC: Elizabeth F)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/c/a/8/highres_484916488.webp)
[Group shot with Mt Um, Jun 2019 (PC: Stan)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/0/b/9/highres_482108377.webp)
[Anything Fun Car Rallye to Mt Um, Sep 2018 (PC: Stan)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/4/a/6/highres_474654438.webp)
[Mt Um Trail, Jun 2018 (PC: Atif)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/c/9/d/highres_472128285.webp)
["Up Close and Personal", Jan 2018 (PC: Stan)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/5/2/3/highres_467622275.webp)
[Opening Day, Sep 2017 (PC: Stan)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/4/a/highres_464820330.webp)

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Winter hike of Mt Umunhum (South San Jose) 

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Winter hike of Mt Umunhum (South San Jose)

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