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Another rainy day…we chose to walk the Stevens Creek Trail, on the segment leading to the San Francisco Bay. Starting on Yuba Street, in Mountain View, we followed the creek, full of run-off and waterfalls. On parts of the trail, we crossed two freeways and one expressway, followed major power lines, and observed new sections of the trail under construction. We ate lunch at a mini-amphitheater between some Microsoft Offices and the old Moffat Field military base. The trail is heavily used by hikers, runners, bikers, strollers and walkers of all ages.

A full creekbed is edged with trees and shrubs just leafing out.

Jim and Larry pause on a bridge.

Looking downstream at the widening waters.

Western redbuds have been planted along the trail.

This trail is a hidden treasure that wends its way through the urban landscape, near major tech corporations of Silicon Valley.

Wild currants in early spring bloom along the path.

Freeway art on part of the new connection between highways 85 and 101, framed by redwood trees.

The number of waterfalls increases as we come closer to the Bay.

Crossing Central Expressway on a pedestrian overpass, we overlook the train and light-rail tracks.

The way home: once again, most of the rain stayed in the clouds until we finished our hike.

Last week we had good luck on a rainy day, hiking at Rancho San Antonio, above Cupertino, where Apple and Netflix headquarters reside. Only a few raindrops fell on us after we entered the preserve under highway 280, and headed up the hill toward Deer Hollow Farm and High Meadow Trail. We were too early for the spring display of lupine, but we observed scattered clumps of toadshade, lots of moss and waterfalls fed by winter rains. We reached the summit of High Meadow Trail in time for a leisurely lunch. Pedometers read in excess of six miles when we ended our hike at 2PM.

Hiking upstream, we see lots of waterfalls and wildflowers beginning to bloom.

We spotted a lovely toadshade (trillium), with purple splotched foliage.

Expansive view toward San Jose, from the top of High Meadow Trail.

Two weeks ago we hiked at Hidden Villa. The streams were running full and we spent most of the time walking in the shady areas along the water. Foliage of moisture loving wildflowers was starting to unfold. We saw beds of trilliums, hound’s tongue and zigadenus elegans or white camass.

We passed the farm on the way into the woods.

These hungry little pigs were oblivious to visitors.

Rushing stream.

Bank of ferns.

Further upstream.

Waterfalls like this are a welcome sight in this three year drought.

A large mossy rock overlooking the stream near Deer Hollow Farm.