HIKING @ the BEAR 🐻 CREEK Redwoods LOS GATOS

Hello, everyone...
Let's get together doing hiking @ this beautiful and shaded place called Bear Creek Redwoods Preserves in Los Gatos.
Bear Creek is one of the most beautiful places in the South Bay area, and it's a very convenient location for many of us.

After hiking we (optionally) go out for dinner at Adelita Restaurant, 1896 Curtner Ave, San Jose, California.

Besides hiking, good exercise, and pleasant conversations, we also enjoy making new friends and building good and solid relationships with old friends.

This is an intermediate hike with a little mountain to climb. It might not be a hike for beginners. The hike is approximately 5.4 miles and 1000 feet of elevation. We usually finish in the hike in about two hours.

Please be ready to keep up hiking with us from 5 miles to 8 miles without any health issues. If you don't work out, hiking a minimum 3-5 miles regularly, this hiking event may not be good for you.

Please STOP at each intersection (trail fork) for other hikers to CATCH UP. This is also a great time to take a water refreshment break.

Please don't be late! The park closes as sunset and we must be off the trail and out of the parking lot by closing time. The park rangers have already warned us a few times about getting out on time.

Note: Please check back here before going on hike for any last-minute updates.

FYI..******The address in the posting CAN BE confusing sometimes to Apple maps and might take you too far on Bear Creek road. Maybe try to enter:
Upper Lake Loop Trail, Los Gatos, CA 95033 (The BEST is to click on it and go instead of trying the address to the maps.)

PLEASE try NOT to bring up the inflammatory subjects that can easily lead to arguments such as politics, religion, genders, racism etc..
Also, please be nice, kind, and help welcoming new members who join us for the first time and make them feel like one of us.

ENJOY THE HIKE!! 🏃‍♂️🏃🙏👍
About Bear Creek Redwoods:
19511 Bear Creek Road, Los Gatos, California
Located 3 miles south of Los Gatos, this 1,432-acre preserve features an easy-access interpretive trail around Upper Lake and 6 miles of hiking and equestrian trails The trails pass through shaded redwood and fir forests, along cool perennial creeks, and offer spectacular views of the Sierra Azul Range.

Our Hike:
We'll be taking the Alma Trail and Redwood Springs Trail Loop.
Parking/Meeting Point: Meet at the Bear Creek Redwoods parking lot 37.182874, -122.004297. There is no off-site parking nearby or along Bear Creek Road.

Directions to trailhead: - Map: https://bit.ly/bearcreekmap
From San Jose, take Hwy. 17 South to Bear Creek Road, opposite Lexington Reservoir. Go under the overpass, the road curves right onto Bear Creek Road. Turn left at the stop sign. From the stop sign, drive 1 mile. The parking lot is on the left. We'll meet in the parking lot to walk to the trailhead.

Dogs - Sadly, no dogs are allowed on this hike
Restrooms: There are restrooms at the beginning/end of the trail, but not along the trail.

Exposure: Mostly Shaded
LENGTH: 5.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,043 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to slightly strenuous.

Bring: Water, Snacks, Sun Protection and Weather appropriate clothing.
Note: Please check back here before going on hike for any last-minute updates.

All Trails:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/alma-trail-redwood-springs
Official: https://www.openspace.org/preserves/bear-creek-redwoods
Trail Map: https://www.openspace.org/sites/default/files/map_BCR.pdf

*DO NOT ATTEND if you're experiencing any cold or flu symptoms, have a compromised immune system, or if you've been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19.

*LIABILITY WAIVER:

By signing up for the social distancing hiking event, you hereby release its organizers, hosts, and participants from any and all liability, claims, demands or causes of action that you now have, or may have in the future, for illness, injuries, damages, and/or economic loss of any kind or nature, arising in whole or in part out of the activities, advice, or information contained herein. You agree to full responsibility for your own health issues.

*DISCLAIMER:

By participating in this social distancing hiking event, you understand that Meetup event Host/Organizer assumes ABSOLUTELY NO responsibility and you have to assume all at your own risk of injury, damage, and economic loss, without limitation, and release host/Organizer of all liability. It is advisable to consult your doctor before you participate in any physical event and hiking activity.