Our first hike of this new year was up Mission Peak. Not earth shakenly original, but better than no hike at all.

We started from the Ohlone College parking lot.
Matt and Nora hitting the trail.

Temps were a bit chilly. By the time we were within view of the peak, the cold breezes compelled us to don our wind shells and beanies.

A snack break near the final push to the top.

Hiking up the windswept north ridge of Mission Peak.

Near the top.

The final push to the summit.

Yeah, someone actually carried a Christmas tree to the top of Mission Peak.
In front: Matt and Nora; boyblue behind

The usual circus at the summit.

Descending the north side of the peak to avoid the crowds on the south side. We circled around to the east and eventually hooked up with the trail we followed from Ohlone College.

I hope you all had a great New Years. I know we did (as you can see...).

Don't be shy! Post your first 2014 hikes here!

Nice hike boyblue.

I was heading up to work today, and decided to stroll up to Devil's Eye to burn off a little excess energy. Devils' Eye is about a mile south of Devil's Gate Pass on Hwy 395.

After following deer tracks in the snow up a steep draw, the arch comes into view.


Then I crossed some sagebrush slopes and got into the requisite thrash section.


The scramble into the Eye was snowfree, which is pretty rare this time of year.


Took an old fashioned selfie at the arch.


Cool view to the west, toward Sonora Pass.


A good time was had by all.

Looks like a great hike Greg. I can see that if I lived near where you live, I would miss a lot of work.

Nice pics Gordon. But I thoughts those hills were supposed to be green after New Year's!