bc
Back home and cleaned up and ready to report. I had a great hike. It sure feels great to get back out after my several month lay-off, though I have to admit it is also can be tough at times. I had to push myself a bit on this one. Of course I didn't have much choice as it is a loop and if you want to get back to your car you just have to keep plugging on!
Though things are pretty brown I'm amazed that there are several plants that are still blooming (or just now blooming to avoid the competition?). They really stand out against the brown grasses. The browns are still quite striking with a multitude of different shades and textures. This section of Santa Teresa is also quite rocky in places and you get some really nice contrasts between the brown grass and the black, and in some cases a serpentine green, of the rocks.
So get out and hike it's a great time of year as the weather starts to cool a bit. Started today with high fog cover and when it cleared there was a nice cool breeze in most places.
bc
PS: the photo is from Coyote Peak looking back to downtown San Jose (obscured a bit by the haze and fog (or smog)).