The following is just a sampling of upcoming GLS outings in May and June. Our newsletter (May/June should be up shortly) contains all articles, events and listings. Make sure to join GLS to be assured of learning about all our outings ahead of time. For information about specific outings, contact the hike leader.

Saturday, May 3
Dry Creek Bike Ride
Kathie Kinzie, kkz@pacific.net
Rating: moderate
Here is an old favorite ride through vineyards. Ride is fairly flat, about 25 mi., with an optional steep hill mid-ride. Directions: take 101 north thru Santa Rosa, exit at Central Healdsburg, continue to the light at Matheson, turn left, then right, into the public parking lot. Meet at 11 AM. Riders must sign up with leader by 9 PM, Fri, 5/2.Earlier sign-ups may allow help with carpooling. Bring snacks, lunch, water, patch kit, and helmet.

Saturday, May 3
Henry Coe Wildflowers
Ruth Lorenz
Rating: 2B
This vast, beautiful park of rolling ridges and mixed forest is a popular spring wildflower destination, worth the longer drive. It is one of the parks slated to close in the governor's budget, so visit while you can. This vigorous 8-mile hike will cover some of the park’s best trails, but we’ll also pause to identify and admire wildflowers. Bring snacks, lunch, two liters of water and sturdy shoes. Expect a couple steep climbs and brisk pace between stops. Carpool: Meet at 8:30 at the Macarthur BART parking lot. Hike departs at 10:15 from the Coe Ranch Headquarters. Directions: From East Bay, take 880 South to 101 South; exit at East Dunne Ave and turn left toward the city of Morgan Hill. Drive 12 miles on East Dunne Ave (steep and winding in sections) to the park headquarters at the end of the road.

Sunday, May 4
Presidio of San Francisco Loop Hike
Salvatore Manzi, SalvatoreManzi@mac.com
Rating: 2A
Loop the entire Presidio! We’ll begin climbing through the Lobos Creek sand dunes and admire SF’s last free-flowing creek, then head towards Mountain Lake. After climbing up to Inspiration Point we’ll head down through the parade grounds to Crissy Field for a little bird watching and the Golden Gate Promenade for people watching. There’s a slight hike up to the GG Bridge, and then amazing views all around the bluffs and back down to Baker Beach where we can have a post-hike picnic. Bring: layers, plenty of water, food, and snacks (preferably chocolate chip cookies to share); sturdy shoes and sunscreen/hat. Meet at 10:00am at Lobos Creek Valley parking lot (aka Presidio Trust Facilities parking lot) where El Camino Del Mar turns into Lincoln Blvd, the most southwestern corner of the Presidio. This is accessible via Muni bus #29.

Sunday, May 11
Upper San Leandro Reservoir - King Canyon Loop
Chris Coan,ChrisCoan123@comcast.net
Rating: 2B
This up and down 6.1 mile loop goes through several quiet canyons and then borders the northern end of EBMUD's Upper San Leandro Reservoir where birding and wildlife viewing are possible (I saw a pack of wild pigs there once). This very quiet, seldom used trail is quite a gem. Meet at 10:30 am at the Valle Vista parking area where I will register us before departure. Bring lunch, water and dress for weather changes. Directions: From Highway 24 in Orinda, take Orinda/Moraga exit and go 4.6 miles southeast on Camino Pablo (which becomes Moraga Way) to Canyon Rd. Turn right and go 1.1 miles to EBMUD's Valle Vista parking area on left. Trail begins at EBMUD's trail register, just southwest of the parking area.

Saturday, May 31
Corona Heights Habitat Restoration Workparty
Russ Hartman rhartman@calacademy.org
Rating: Conservation
Corona Heights, overlooking the Castro in San Francisco, is one of 30 “natural areas” managed by San Francisco’s Parks & Rec Dept., and home to more than 100 native plant species. GLS members have been working with Friends of Corona Heights and Parks & Rec staff for more than 15 years to enhance the survival of these natives and to control more than 15 species of aggressive non-native plants. The Spring and early Summer wildflowers at Corona Heights are a testament to our labors, but we always need more workers. In addition to removing more invasives this month, we’ll also gather seeds to propagate more plants in the Native Plant Nursery in Golden Gate Park. Meet at 10 am on the north side of the Randall Museum (parking lot is the south side) at the end of Museum Way off Roosevelt Way (short walk from Castro & Market Sts., via State St.). Dress in layers, wear hat, sunscreen, & sturdy shoes and bring water. Tools & gloves provided. Work will conclude around noon, often followed by tasty snacks. Rain does NOT cancel.

Sunday, June 1
Sausalito Staircase & Marin Headlands Loop Hike
Russ Hartman rhartman@calacademy.org
Rating: 1B
This one was rained out in February, so we’ll try again. Starting at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge, this approx. 5-mile hike will follow the waterfront into Sausalito, then climb a long series of stairs and streets up to the Headlands and back to our starting point along several ridge trails with incredible bay and ocean views. Wear sturdy shoes, wind and sun protection, and bring lunch and water. Sorry, no dogs allowed. Carpools: Meet at 9:30 am at Starbucks in Safeway Center at Church & Market Sts in San Francisco for 9:40 departure. Directions: From San Francisco, cross Golden Gate Bridge and take Alexander Ave. exit, turn left at end of ramp and go under freeway, then turn right onto Conzelman Rd. and almost immediate left into parking lot for day users. Public transportation: Take Muni busses #28 or 29 to Golden Gate Bridge and walk across Golden Gate Bridge, then cross under freeway via stairs from vista parking lot.

Saturday, June 7
Exploring Golden Gate Park
Russ Hartman rhartman@calacademy.org
Nais Raulet namara@earthlink.net
Rating: 1A
Golden Gate Park is one of San Francisco’s greatest treasures, filled with all kinds of hidden gems, monuments, secluded lakes, and unusual flora and fauna. On this leisurely paced, approx. 4 to 5 mile ramble, we’ll wind our way through the park enjoying its many features along the way. Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers (the Park is usually cooler than the rest of the City) and bring water and lunch. Well socialized dogs on leash OK. Meet at 10:15 am at corner of Stanyan and Fulton Sts. (originally the main park entrance). Accessible by Muni bus #5 Fulton; #33 Stanyan (from 16th St. BART and 18th and Castro); #21 Hayes; or #7 Haight (short walk to Fulton).

Sunday, June 15
Fall Creek – Santa Cruz Mountains
Claudine Offer, claudine_o@hotmail.com
Rating: 3B
This strenuous and fast-paced hike will take us into lush, shady redwood canyons, along a variety of creeks, down old oxen trails used for logging, and past the remnants of lime kilns. We’ll pass a virgin redwood tree, gently step over a fault line, and ascend Ben Lomond Mountain. Our return by way of Fall Creek will be through lush riparian vegetation including wild ginger, horsetail, and coltsfoot. Expect narrow, winding, rugged trails and scrambling over and under fallen trees. Bring plenty of water, lunch, sturdy hiking boots, snacks. There are no facilities such as drinking water or restrooms so please come prepared and allow time to stop in Felton prior to hike as needed. No dogs. Optional excursion to Felton following hike. Carpools: meet at 8:00 am in front of Jamba Juice in Safeway Center at Church & Market Sts. for prompt departure. Or, meet at the trailhead at 9:45 am. Allow adequate driving time, ~1.5hrs from San Francisco. Directions: From Hwy 17 in Santa Clara County, drive southwest. In Scotts Valley, exit Mount Hermon Rd., drive northwest on Mount Hermon Rd. about 3.5 miles where it ends at Graham Hill Road. Turn right and go just 0.1 mile on Graham Hill Rd. which ends at traffic light at Hwy 9 in Felton. Continue straight on Felton Empire Rd. for 0.6 mile and turn right into the poorly signed trailhead. No parking fee.

Saturday, June 21
Marin Headlands Hike
Ather Hussain, sagsfo@yahoo.com
Tina Mazzei, tina_mazzei@yahoo.com
Rating: 2B
This is a joint GLS Loma Prieta and SF Bay chapter hike. We'll do an 8.3 mile loop on the Miwok, Coyote Ridge, Middle Green Gulch, Coastal, and Tennessee Valley trails. From Tennessee Valley we’ll hike up and over the ridge, past Green Gulch farm and have lunch at Muir Beach, then back up the coast and down to Tennessee Valley to complete our loop. Bring lunch, layers, sun protection, and plenty of water. Meet under the Safeway sign on Market & Dolores at 9:30 am. GLS Loma Prieta chapter hikers, wishing to carpool from Peninsula and South Bay can meet at Edgewood Park & Ride in Redwood City at 9:00 am. You can also meet us at Tennessee Valley parking lot at 10:15 am. To get to Tennessee Valley parking lot, take the Highway 1/Shoreline Highway exit on 101. After about 0.5 mile, turn left onto Tennessee Valley Road. Go about 1.5 miles to the parking lot at end of the road.

Sunday, June 22
King Canyon
Russ Handzus
Marta Friedman mjf221@aol.com
Rating: 2B
This beautiful area is far up in the hills east of San Leandro, where we’ll hike at a leisurely to moderate pace above a scenic reservoir and stroll through a great redwood grove. We’ll begin our 10 mile, 1500’ elevation gain hike at Valle Vista Staging Area on Canyon Road and do a short hike up into Redwood Park. We’ll return to Valle Vista and hike on King Canyon trail along San Leandro Reservoir. Then up to the ridge-top for lunch & back to Valle Vista. Bring lunch, liquids, layered clothing, hiking boots, no dogs please. Heavy rain cancels. Directions: From San Francisco take Bay Bridge to 580 to 24 to 13 south. Take Redwood Rd. exit in Oakland & go east over fwy. After about 2.5 miles, turn left on Pinehurst; then 1.5 miles & turn right on Canyon; then 0.4 miles & turn right into Valle Vista Staging Area. Carpool: Meet at Rockridge BART at 9:15 am for 9:30 am departure. Self-led carpool can leave from under big Safeway sign at Market & Dolores in San Francisco at 9 am. We’ll meet at the trailhead at 10 am.

Saturday, June 28
Diablo View Trail at Briones Regional Park
Chris Coan, ChrisCoan123@comcast.net
Rating: 1B
This uphill and then downhill loop hike includes many different views into the Contra Costa valley area, including deep wooded canyons, forested slopes, oak savannahs, and open, grassy ridges. Meet at 10:30 am at the Alhambra Valley staging area (parking fee). Bring water, lunch, sun and wind protection. Directions: From Hwy 4 in Martinez, take Alhambra Ave. exit and go 0.5 mile south on Alhambra Ave. to Alhambra Valley Rd. Turn right and go 1.2 miles to Reliez Valley Road. Turn left and go 0.5 mile to the Alhambra Creek Valley entrance, marked by the sign. Turn right and follow entrance road 0.8 mile to parking area. Trailhead is at the southeast corner of the parking area.

Saturday, June 28
Corona Heights Habitat Restoration Workparty
Russ Hartman rhartman@calacademy.org
Rating: Conservation
Corona Heights, overlooking the Castro in San Francisco, is one of 30 “natural areas” managed by San Francisco’s Parks & Rec Dept., and home to more than 100 native plant species. GLS members have been working with Friends of Corona Heights and Parks & Rec staff for more than 15 years to enhance the survival of these natives and to control more than 15 species of aggressive non-native plants. The Spring and early Summer wildflowers at Corona Heights are a testament to our labors, but we always need more workers. A few hours of your time is all we ask. Meet at 10 am on the north side of the Randall Museum (parking lot is the south side) at the end of Museum Way off Roosevelt Way (short walk from Castro & Market Sts., via State St.). Dress in layers, wear hat, sunscreen, & sturdy shoes and bring water. Tools & gloves provided. Work will conclude around noon, often followed by tasty snacks. Rain does NOT cancel.

Friday-Sunday, July 11-13
White Water Rafting and Camping Weekend
Jenna Slovis jslovis@gmail.com
Rating: Fun!
Join GLS for a LGBT weekend of white-water rafting and camping on the American River (near Colma/Placerville area.) America's only lesbian- owned rafting company, Mariah Wilderness Expeditions, has partnered with Lavender Events to offer the LGBT community an exclusive weekend just a few short hours from the Bay Area. Come join us for a fun and memorable rafting adventure while spending some quality time with your friends or getting to know new ones! The beginner level is $290 and the intermediate trip is $330. This adventure includes 2 days rafting, 2 nights camping, 5 meals and river use fees. Advance deposit of $75 secures your spot. This trip has sold out out well in advance for the past 3 years, so sign up quickly to join our GLS group this year! You can see more info and sign up at www.lavenderevents.com/rafting. Please say that you are with GLS (and let Jenna at jslovis@gmail.com know once you are confirmed as well.)