October 24th - October 28th, 2022
Prioritizing Hikes in Nature
By: Amy Gregor (Mom of 1st and 4th Grader)
When I was in elementary school a teacher gave me an assignment to mark off a one foot square in the backyard and observe that space. Then, we were supposed to draw what we saw. Sitting alone in the grass I remember feeling surprised and in awe when I found an acorn with a sprout coming out of it!
Often, I am reminded of that memory when I see my own kids having mini moments with nature, such as twirling leaves by the stem, observing snails after a rainstorm, counting banana slugs, and finding the first ripe tomato in the garden.
Getting exercise is one of the five pillars of health that Blossom Hill Elementary promotes during Red Ribbon Week and year round. Hiking can be a low cost and low impact activity that gives us new sensory moments that make us all feel relaxed and connected to each other.
One of our favorite hikes is the “nature trail” at Sanborn Park, which is about a mile long. There is a fee to enter the park. Our kids love dancing on the stage, finding the two manmade ponds to see water striders or frogs, climbing the “ladder tree” (i.e., a tree that is grown to have rungs like a ladder. Hint: It’s behind the larger lake along the paved path). The kids love running ahead of us on the trail to feed the “monster rock,” climb the fallen trees near the trail, and even hide in a hollow tree to yell “boo” at us while my husband and I walk by pretending not to know where they are. If we have a blanket we like to lay down for a moment to look up at the sky inside a redwood tree fairy circle.
I love reading books by the famous Richard Louv. One of my favorite quotes from him is that “every child needs nature. Not just the ones with parents who appreciate nature. Not only those of a certain economic class or culture or set of abilities. Every child.” That perspective drives my interest in connecting persons of all abilities and ages to nature; It’s the exercise combined with the mini nature moments of discovery that is meaningful to me as a parent, and I hope instills a connection to nature that will give our kids healthy habits in life.
Here are our seven favorite hikes:
Often, I am reminded of that memory when I see my own kids having mini moments with nature, such as twirling leaves by the stem, observing snails after a rainstorm, counting banana slugs, and finding the first ripe tomato in the garden.
Getting exercise is one of the five pillars of health that Blossom Hill Elementary promotes during Red Ribbon Week and year round. Hiking can be a low cost and low impact activity that gives us new sensory moments that make us all feel relaxed and connected to each other.
One of our favorite hikes is the “nature trail” at Sanborn Park, which is about a mile long. There is a fee to enter the park. Our kids love dancing on the stage, finding the two manmade ponds to see water striders or frogs, climbing the “ladder tree” (i.e., a tree that is grown to have rungs like a ladder. Hint: It’s behind the larger lake along the paved path). The kids love running ahead of us on the trail to feed the “monster rock,” climb the fallen trees near the trail, and even hide in a hollow tree to yell “boo” at us while my husband and I walk by pretending not to know where they are. If we have a blanket we like to lay down for a moment to look up at the sky inside a redwood tree fairy circle.
I love reading books by the famous Richard Louv. One of my favorite quotes from him is that “every child needs nature. Not just the ones with parents who appreciate nature. Not only those of a certain economic class or culture or set of abilities. Every child.” That perspective drives my interest in connecting persons of all abilities and ages to nature; It’s the exercise combined with the mini nature moments of discovery that is meaningful to me as a parent, and I hope instills a connection to nature that will give our kids healthy habits in life.
Here are our seven favorite hikes:
- Sanborn “nature trail: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Documents/Sanborn%20Guide%20Map.pdf
- Sanborn creek trail to the Ohlone trail to see the grinding rocks. It has been redone over the years to make it easier to hike. Cell phone coverage is spotty once on the path: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sanborn-creek-trail
- The Land of the Medicine Buddha. It is very a thoughtful place to think of loves ones lost and it is spiritual. Parking can be harder if later in the day: https://santacruzmountains.com/land-of-medicine-buddha-eight-verses-trail/.
- Alpine Ridge to Horseshoe Lake is a drive, but during the spring it has nice wildflowers: https://modernhiker.com/hike/alpine-pond-to-horseshoe-lake/.
- Calero County Park (Main entrance and loop trail. We like to show the kids wildflowers in the spring and a more prairie habitat): https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Pages/Calero.aspx.
- Walk and see animals at hidden villa! I love going there with or without kids to hike, as there are some nice challenging loops: https://www.hiddenvilla.org/visit/hiking-trails/
- See horses meandering in the Bryne Preserve. While it can get hot, has an open field feel with defined paths with pretty views. Easy parking by the Westwind Community Barn. https://www.yelp.com/biz/byrne-preserve-los-altos-hills.