Bay Area Hang

[E.A.Y.]

Pinpoint weather forecast for the upcoming weekend.

More detail will appear at the link above as we get closer, but here's the basics:

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

[orangebananas]

Turns out I double booked Friday night. I will still be there Sat-Sun.

[gRaFFiX]

There is a 5K/10K walk/run scheduled for the Hunting Hollow trail Saturday Morning. The parking lot will fill up quick and is only available to the first 250 people who show up. Registration for the race starts at 7:30 am. I'm not sure how this will affect you, but you can call the visitor center at 1-408-779-2728 to find out.

[gRaFFiX]

Looks like your best bet is to take Hwy. 101 South outta San Jose towards Gilroy.once in Gilroy, follow these directions. I Googled them and they seem to be right on.

You could also take I-5 (if you were coming from Sacramento for example), and take the Hwys 33/152 West to Gilroy. Not really sure which is quicker, but it is another option.

[orangebananas]

I'll be parked absolutely no later than 5:30 to ensure I get a spot. I guess I'll plan on meeting up at Fish Pond?

I'll be pretty easy to spot. I'll have a bright yellow pack.

[E.A.Y.]

Talked to a park employee (not volunteer) on Tuesday afternoon. Learned the following:

Fees:
$5/ person per night
and
$6/ vehicle per night.
Envelopes for self registration at Hunting Hollow entrance.
Checks are OK as long as drawn on a bank in California and you write your driver's lic. number on it.

The short trail leading from the Hunting Hollow trail to Gibson pond (double dashed line on the map) is "very unmaintained" right now, look for faint "tire tracks" and there is a downed tree "right where you go up to the pond" according to the park person.

Gibson pond has water in it still.
There is water on the way at Fern Springs (trough with maybe a spigot). Fish Pond as well.
At the intersection of Wagon road and Hunting Hollow there is a good spring. That's a little past Gibson pond but good to know.

The visitor center is open Friday from noon to 8pm, staffed on Friday by volunteers. Park maps are available to buy there.

Park guy said the runners on Saturday would be mostly gone by 1 or 2pm.

[gRaFFiX]

No maps available at the trailhead?

OB, who are you meeting at Fish Pond?

[orangebananas]

Isn't that where everyone is going to be? If not, I'll meet up where everyone is.

[E.A.Y.]

No maps available at the trailhead?

This link mentions free maps at the trailhead (which you can print out from that link) but who knows if they will have run out on any given day. I didn't ask the park person that question.

OB, who are you meeting at Fish Pond?

Isn't that where everyone is going to be? If not, I'll meet up where everyone is.

I believe we decided on Gibson Pond - at the far end of Hunting Hollow.

It is looking now like I'll get to the trailhead around 3pm. Anyone else getting there that early?

[orangebananas]

Gibson Pond it is! I'll be there in the early morning.