Take a hike: Five best spots

By Madeleine Sears

Trek out of suburban Santa Clara and take a hike into the wilderness of Northern California. Within an hour's drive from campus, 350 miles of hiking trails await your spring-fevered feet.

Hiking allows students to appreciate the nature surrounding them, and as environmental studies professor Sean Watts said, "People will only value and save what they know or come to know."

But hiking does so much more than this. It is social, aerobic, eye-opening and fun -- key ingredients for an enriching pastime.

Below are five must-hikes for amateurs and experienced trekkers alike:

1. Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Estimated drive -- 20 minutes

1.5 hours by public transit

$6 entrance fee

33 miles of hiking across historic landscapes

This park, which is tucked between the suburbs of San Jose, is full of steep hillsides, cool forests, open meadows and deep valleys.

"This is a close and accessible place with trails for beginners and ones for people more advanced," said senior Krista Frankovic, who recently visited the park with an environmental studies class. "It has a lot of open area with fields, and we actually saw one coyote while we were there."

2. Wilder Ranch State Park

Estimated drive -- 46 minutes

$6 parking fee

34 miles of hiking throughout the park

At Wilder Ranch, there is a 7.7 mile hike that winds up grassy hills and presents breathtaking views of the ocean an adjacent valley.

For a less strenuous option, there is also a beach-side path. Sophomore Zane Wagener hiked the trail a few weeks ago. "It is more like a stroll than a hike," he said. "We went on a Sunday and it was so quiet it seemed like a private beach."

3. Henry W. Coe State Park

Estimated drive -- 50 minutes

2 hours by public transit

$5 parking fee

Over 250 miles of hiking on trails and old ranch roads

The Monument trail is a simple 1.2 mile day leading through the park's grasslands and forests.

Because of the park's size -- an immense 87,000 acres -- there are also a variety of longer trails that offer opportunities for backpacking, camping, fishing, riding and biking.

Professor Watts said that there are "beautiful wildflowers in spring, and it also is a very large park, so you can get fairly remote."

4. Castle Rock State Park

Estimated drive -- 30 minutes

$6 parking fee

32 miles of trails

This park is known for its unusual rock formations and mossy forests, which makes it prime property to go bouldering outdoors and close to campus. The park is very popular among Bay Area climbers.

"This is a great place to go outdoor bouldering when you are used to going indoor," said junior Tommy Lloyd-Davies, a bouldering enthusiast. They also offer light day hiking for those who are less inclined to climbing.

5. The Dish at Stanford

Estimated drive -- 21 minutes

Accessible via Caltrain and a free Stanford shuttle

No fee

Two main trails, each under 10 miles

This destination, which is named for the prominent satellite dish amidst the 8,000 acres of open space, has always been a hit among students. The Dish offers access to two loops, one 3.7 miles long, the other 5 miles long.

The Dish offers great paved hiking, running trails and access to a variety of wildlife. There are also steeper hills, which make for a great workout.

Contact Madeleine Sears at (408) 551-1918 or msears@scu.edu.