The usual hiking member and a few more of our friends got together on a Februray weekend to hike up the Mission Peak. This is one of the most popular trails in the Bay Area for its accessability and wonderful view. The trailhead is located just next to a residential houses of Fremont. When we arrived around 1:00pm, the large parking lot was full of cars. There were people on the trail. The weather was nice. Time to start climbing up!

As we climb up, it became apparent why this trail is so popular. Although it was a little hazy, still it was the best view of the SF Bay area. None of the other Bay area vistas are as close to the cities than this one. We could also see Santa Cruz Mountain Ranges, Mt. Tamalpais, Mt. Diablo on the way to the top.

(Left) The Mt. Tamalpais in tne Marine county revealed its peak over the hazy SF Bay. Other peaks along the Santa Cruz Mountains we could identify were; San Bruno and Montara only.

(Right) Mt. Diablo, the second highest peak around SF Bay Area, was very easy to identify. According to Mark, you can see 38 counties out of 56 total of entire California from the top of the Mt. Diablo (the number could be wrong).

Unfortunately we seperated to smaller group as we climbed the steep hill. Some want to take time, some walk faster, the other had to go fast appointments in the evening. Me and Mark arrived at the top first. The secret was to take an easier route; the steep ones are shorter but so steep that sometimes people roll down the hill.

We reached to this pole (left) first. The tele(?) scopes points to mountain peaks visible from the point. Without this, we could not confirm which one was Mt. Tamalpais. But this is not the Mission Peak. The true peak located about 100 feet to the south, and about a few feet high (right). Enjoyed the scenery for a bit and rest of the group started to arrive. Everybody makes the same mistake of taking the pole as the peak.

View from the Mission Peak

(Left) View at the top.

(Below, left) town of Fremont and SF Bay.

(Below, right) SF Bay. Mark told me the compartment on the bay is for making salt. Surprising.

Interesting Rocks With Mosses
white moss on left photo, and orange moss on right...

I had to descend down the mission peak by myself since I had another appointment in the evening. Took the steeper trails all the time. The descending down may have been the best part (except for walking alone); I had a great view in front my sight, and late afternoon is always good time for photograph.

Photos Below
(Left) On the way back, I saw the hill with trees in a row, which I saw it from the top of the peak. I wonder if this is natural or artificaly planted. (Right) Photos of a steep slope and isolated rocks, under perfect lighting of late afternoon sun. Reminds me of Bonsai trees.