Weekly Walker: December Hikes Will Explore Phleger Estate & Sweeney Ridge

[Editor's Note: Watch for this column each week Patch by local hiking enthusiast Tom Davids. Below are two hikes scheduled for December: Phleger Estate, north of Huddart Park, and Sweeney Ridge GGNRA in San Bruno.]

By Tom Davids

Greetings Hikers...

December is a great month for hiking in the Bay Area. Subject, of  course to the weather.  So, here's the plan...

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, we will visit the Phleger Estate which is located just north of Huddart County Park and runs from West Union Creek to Skyline Blvd.  This is a loop hike on the Raymundo and Redondo Trails which is mostly in the redwoods with touches of chaparral and seasonal creeks. This hike is  about 6 miles and will take about 3 hours. The elevation gain is about 600 feet and the hike is rated moderate to strenuous.  There are toilet facilities at the trail head but nothing beyond. No dogs allowed.

We will carpool from the Adult Community Center leaving at 9amand return by 1:30 pm.

On Saturday Dec.14, we will hike along Sweeney Ridge...that ridgeline between San Bruno and Pacificia where, in 1769 Portola discovered San Francisco Bay.  With ideal weather conditions, you can see forever. If conditions are less than ideal, visibility may be reduced to 20 ft.  But, whatever the weather, this is a fine hike of 7.5 miles, in and out, with an 1100ft elevation gain.  We start at Skyline College (parking lot A), climb 260ft to the Coast Guard lookout, then drop 150ft to the ravine and climb 250 ft. to the control center and Nike site at the ridge top. During this stretch of up and down and up again, 200 steps ease the way.  Toilet facilities are located 2.3 miles into the hike and from there 1.3 miles brings us to the Portola Gate...the turn around point.  This hike is rated moderate.

Dogs permitted on leash.

We will carpool from the  Sam Trans garage, leaving at 8am and returning by 2pm.

Please email me if you plan to join either of these hikes at tomdavids@comcast.net.