A quick outing to Fallen Leaf Lake (close to Lake Tahoe) while skiing over the New Year.

(3.97 miles, total elevation gain 738 feet, 1 hour 36 minutes (average 2.49 mph), view in Google Earth)

Hike starts at: 38.905, -120.022733.

Longer walk in the Oakland Hills, up the East ridge and then back down the West ridge.

(8.63 miles, total elevation gain 3,976 feet, 3 hours 1 minutes (average 2.86 mph), view in Google Earth)

Hike starts at: 37.806533, -122.148783.

Fort Funston was part of San Francisco's WWII era coastal defenses and is now a dog friendly part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Rudy pegs it down Sand Ladder Trail - the easiest way down to the beach but no so much fun on the way back up.

Battery Davis.

(2.62 miles, total elevation gain 417 feet, 1 hour 25 minutes (average 1.84 mph), view in Google Earth)

Hike starts at: 37.714383, -122.502167.

Las Trampas (the Traps - for elk apparently) is a steep climb up to a gorgeous ridge followed by a slow wind back to the staging area. We wimped out of adding a detour to Devil's Hole due to the heat and the advice of a fellow hiker.

Rudy and Gill with Mt. Diablo in the background.

Rudy, forced to walk up the hill again just for a photo.

(4.86 miles, total elevation gain 2,920 feet, 2 hours 7 minutes (average 2.29 mph), view in Google Earth)

Hike starts at: 37.816233, -122.051267.

A quick walk around the Golden Gate park, past the Buffalo paddock and stadium.

I only had the camera phone, so this is a very blury picture.

And there are some turtles on this tree, really!

(3.32 miles, total elevation gain 915 feet, 1 hour 14 minutes (average 2.68 mph), view in Google Earth)

Hike starts at: 37.771517, -122.474917.

Quick walk around the Oakland Hills, no photos this time.

(4.68 miles, total elevation gain 2,697 feet, 2 hours 3 minutes (average 2.28 mph), view in Google Earth)

Hike starts at: 37.830983, -122.18615.

A pleasant, undulating hike along Drakes Estero (see north district trails, PDF) to Sunset Beach and back.

Gill illustrates the length of Drakes Estero.

Rob slowly sinking into the mud on Sunset Beach.

I think this is a striped shore crab, saw a couple of these guarding the approach to the beach.

(7.71 miles, total elevation gain 1,594 feet, 2 hours 48 minutes (average 2.76 mph), view in Google Earth)

Hike starts at: 38.081683, -122.9142.

Hill 88 is a favorite walk when the Marin headlands are free from fog. Starting from Fort Cronkhite the Coastal Trail winds up to Hill 88 at 960ft, past various WWII era coastal defenses. Cross the ridge and descend down Wolf Ridge Trail and Miwok Trail to complete a 4.5 mile loop.

Rodeo Beach viewed from the Coastal Trail. As you ascend there are views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco.

Battery Townsley, one of several coastal defenses passed on the walk.

View of Mount Tamalpais as you begin to descend Wolf Ridge Trail.

(4.56 miles, total elevation gain 1,142 feet, 1 hour 38 minutes (average 2.79 mph), view in Google Earth)

Hike starts at: 37.832683, -122.526217.

Closest walk from home is a quick trip round Bernal Hill for views of downtown San Francisco and three bridges.

(0.83 miles, total elevation gain 292 feet, 23 minutes (average 2.12 mph), view in Google Earth)

Hike starts at: 37.74355, -122.417583.