Got out around midday yesterday for a hike on one of my favorite South Bay trails, the New Almaden Trail in Almaden Quicksilver County Park (left from the Mokingbird Hill rntrance). I've hiked all sections of this trail on numerous ocaissions and this is the first time I have seen running water in any of the ravine streams (of course most of my hiking here has been the last three drought years!). Not quite the rushing cascades I was hoping for but given these are primarily run-off fed, unless you were to actually go out in the peak of a storm, this is what you'll probably get. Water amounts varied and it wasn't until the 3rd or 4th ravine that I heard that great sound of a tumbling stream, but it was music to my ears on turning the corner into that ravine.
It was also great to see everything greening up. I just hope it's not too early in the season as a bad cold snap in Jan or Feb could have some bad effects. I was also happy to see some of the more wet loving fauna out and about as well as the usual birds and deer!
So again I encourage you to get out and hike. Be aware though that the trails can be muddy and even slightly flooded and mud and wet rock or leaf debris can also be slippery (getting that good pair of waterproof hiking boots like I suggested in my previous post sounds even better now). Also be aware that some trails can be closed so take a map to be able to find alternate routes on the trail.
One last photo that has nothing to do with water. I'm working on my iPhone photo skills (very different from the DSLR skills I have) and I just liked this shot.
bc