Assault on Mount Umunhum

This ride was supposed to head down to Los Gatos, continue south to Almaden, and then head up Mount Umunhum Road to Summit. After Summit, it would be a nice spin down to Old Santa Cruz Highway and Los Gatos again. A solid five hours for sure, and a new loop to add to the quiver (around the Bay Area, roads into the mountains are scarce enough to make that a big deal).

The climb up Hicks and Umunhum was tough, but worth it for the impressive views and the promise of one of the highest summits in the Bay Area. And then this happened:

Video of road closure

So it was back down Umunhum and to meanderings around Almaden, which itself promises interesting flatlands riding south of the city. Turns out that the road is closed due to private landowners wanting to hang on to what they deem a "land grab" by the Open Space committee. If they come to their senses someday, maybe the ride can finally be finished.

Until then, if anyone knows how to get over Mount Umunhum I'd love to hear it; below are my proposed route and the modifications I made instead.

Actual Route

Proposed Route

Comments

1. Kevin:

   Were their no trespassing signs on route up Mt Umunhum Rd, after the gate at Bald Mountain trailhead? Approximately how far was Cathermola Rd interection up Mt. Umunhum road, from that point? Any signage or gates to navigate between these 2 points?

2. Bob:

   It’s a nice road most of the way, a couple gates but nothing locked—you get almost to the top before seeing “No Trespassing” signs and warnings painted on the road. It’s in the video clip, I’ll fix that too. Interestingly, yesterday I tried another route to the top, Casa Loma Rd, which is further south. That’s even more scary, and I was tipped off that going up Mt. Umunhum Rd. itself is the best way; you’re always on park land that way, not private land. I think I was close to Cathermola, but I haven’t gone all the way…yet.

3. Kevin:

   I hiked the Kennedy>Sombroso>Barlow>Gate SA09 on Umunhum. I was planning to hike Umunhum (SA09) > Summit & Morrill via Cathermola — but was worried about access? Another option is Umunhum > Loma Prieta > Summit Rd — again with access questions?

4. Bob:

   I’ve heard that by hiking you can get all the way up—but I have only tried on the roads. The Open Space group has a big map of the trails in the park; a quick glance doesn’t seem to show access to Summit Road—you’d have to go pretty far south to get there, and they say all that is “closed”. If you stayed on the road, however, you might be ok; that’s what I’m going to try next time I ride it.

5. John:

   I know of access to the summit……

6. Farhan:

   Im so determined to get to the top of this mountain. Ive gone up to the second set of “No Trespassing” signs up Mt Umunhum Road. These second set of signs are more specific in that they say “armed guards patroll this area”. Guessing that refers to the mountain folk that live up there. After seeing that we decided to not risk it and just turn around, even though we were soo close. Then when we got to the bottom we saw a ranger there so we asked her if there was any access up to the top of Mt Umunhum. And basically what she said was “you guys can make your own trail to go up there any way you choose, just as long as you dont go into any private property” She didnt say it in those exact words, but thats basically what she meant. So i went a second time at a later date, and took Barlow Road (SA09) off Mt Umunhum Road, and tried to “find” a trail up the mountain. But the foliage was so thick it was hard to move anywhere. Im going to attempt a few more runs, trying to find a good path up, otherwise im just gonna have to start complaining to the open space district to open up that area to public access. If anyone else has found a better way up Mt Umunhum please share wiht the rest of us.

7. John:

   I went up there to enjoy a recent meteor shower, apperently the open space district doesnt like people up there after dark, i want to go to the building at the top, i’ve lived in this vally all my life, i’m extreamly determined to get there, does anyone know of any upcomming events? Email me if you know: Jdegnan86@yahoo.com

8. Bob:

   On the official open-space website, a disappointing message:

   Public hiking and bicycling access continue up Mt. Umunhum Road for 1.3 miles past gate SA-08, to the point where the road enters private property. Although it is not gated, this point is well marked with private property signs on the sides of the road, as well as symbols on the road surface. Do not travel on Mt. Umunhum Road beyond this point. The land is private property and entry is trespassing.

9. Kevin:

   re: “otherwise im just gonna have to start complaining to the open space district to open up that area to public access”

   Farhan-

   I hope you have done/are doing so … the MROSD people are reasonable, and sympathetic to your objectives. Letting them know your preferences, and attending public meetings on 2nd & 4th Wednesday each month (like tonight), helps. I read on the website that they are considering a planning contract to ADAW (www.adaw.com) over Sierra Azul Open Space District improvements. Sierra Azul promises so much, we should take this as a positive, while exercising our rights to public imput and influence (something encouraged/codified in the charter of the MROSD). Hiking and biking trail and access priorities should be voiced …

10. kevin:

    Correction: EDAW (www.edaw.com) budget of $170k over 2004-05, was approved to develop “Master Plan” for Sierra Azul & Bear Creek. A robust public participation in the planning process is fundamental to the contract, which will begin in Q4’04. The planning is to be completed before end of ‘05, but (the bad news is) no new openings in Sierra Azul are planned in advance of M-P completion according to Cathy, the Planning Manager for MROSD.

    The process at these meetings is not fast, but it is methodical with what appears to be material progress along the way. The board and staff appear to be thoughtful and diligent in developing new areas of access — i.e. they move in our direction, but it’s always important to keep them aware of our priorities as “stakeholders” in their progress.

    I met the Operation Manager, John, at this meeting — a helpful guy who appears to be the model for his well-trained staff of rangers. He is one who walks the fine line between the more restrictive landowners, and MROSD’s day-to-day mission of responsible access and development of new areas. He mentioned that MROSD now controls(?) access at the Loma Prieta end of Sierra Azul, down to Summit Road. It was not clear to me whether he meant the Loma Prieta end of Loma Almaden Road across the saddle to MtUm (advise — stay on road, to be safest, but no guarantee) … I will follow up for clarification.

    He did affirm that the MtUm end of Loma Almaden road is still private property — is consistent with Bob’s warning post (above) from the website.

    Stay tuned — or better, make yourself a part of the process. Respect private property, and do not trespass! None of us wants a setback, because of intrusion.

11. Kevin:

    There are 2 cameras positioned at the obvious approaches to the top of MtUm. The 1st is near what looks the 2nd “no-tres” roadstripe (near the top), well past Bob’s roadstripe in his QT-video — could be Farhan’s “armed patrol … warning”? This means he might have been on camera when he turned around (good choice)?

    The 2nd cam is on the ridge between MtTh and MtUm and pans nearly 360 degrees, and it’s view covers a west approach to MtUm, but the elevation is actually below MtUm - you see only the top 20% of the cube.

    These are certainly part of a comms-tower observation/sec system.

12. Ernie:

    Going back nearly fifty years, we had our home on Patio Drive in Campbell (while I worked for the Atomic Power Equipment Dept. of GE in San Jose). The road up to Mt. Umunhum was my favorite one to be alone with my dear wife - it was our “lovers’ lane”. Neither the police, nor any landowners in the area, nor other people driving by ever disturbed us — they just smiled! I thought it was pretty close to paradise - and it probably still is for a lot of you. I now live in Falls Church, VA, inside the Beltway that goes around Washington, DC. This place has many attractions - VERY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE DAYS a half century ago! Cound one of you post a couple of photos of Mt. Um on the Internet and tell me about them? My address: holzmann@arczip.com THANKS! And good luck to you all as you go up and down those hills! (It is probably less dangerous than our highways here in the metropolitan Washington-Baltimore area!)

13. Stella:

    I’ve been up hiking on Mt. Umunhum quite a few times in the years passed and I have come to hear stories of something quite strange. I’ve heard that if you veer off a certain path you come to an enclave of quite hostile albinos. I haven’t had the nerve to find out for myself, but has anyone else heard claims of this?

14. kevin:

    re: “Albinos” — I believe their last name is Peacock (for you X Files fans)? IMO, the private property owners simply want privacy (that’s why they live there); plus some also have significant business interests in leasing high elevation land for comm’s towers — true at MtUm, MtTh, and MtL-P.

    To get back to Ernie’s request, my favorite picture of Mt Um is from the NNW on Wood’s Trail near El Sombroso (~3000’). Pic’s at 4 resolutions (ideal for your PC Wallpaper) can be found at the end of the San Mateo/Santa Clara county section at: MtUm wallpaper images

    For other good pic’s, try: MtUm slideshow

    And a panorama* view from west of MtUm, can be found at: panorama of MtUm

    For those who want to know what is was like in the late 60s (awesome site) — sorry Ernie, as far back as I could go: older photos

    And for recent photos of the top (more awesome photos, and includes panorama* shot): recent photos

    • NOTE: The panorama photo scroll-pans appears to be ~270 degrees (missing the El Sombroso quadrant).

15. Anonymous:

    Some legally-obtained pictures I found—if you can see these, you can be seen!

    

    

    

16. Kevin:

    Re: my earlier post about John (MROSD Ops MGr) comments regarding “MROSD now controls(?) access at the Loma Prieta end of Sierra Azul, down to Summit Road.”

    It is now clear what John meant if one refers to the map dated “1/04”, available here. Please note that the southeastern L-P end of this JAN’04 Sierra Azul Map shows much more MROSD land (in blue) at that end of the ridge. There are much fewer private sectors (in white) in this part of the map — this in contrast to large of intervening private sectors (white and pink) on the road accesses to Um.

    Additional note: It looks like the highest part of the Cathermola Rd section is MROSD land, although that becomes private upon descent. This junction is well before the Um private sectors, when coming from the L-P end of the ridge.

17. Kim:

    Here is a Hike to the top, without trespass on private land. From the gate on Umunhum road, go up to SA09 trail, take this trail over till you get to the creek, go up the creek bed to the top. this is a tough hike. but the only way I know to stay on public land and get to the top.

18. Anonymous:

    Best creek bed hiking in JUL-OCT — dry season.

    While under canopy (1st ¾ of route), full clothing … when path/creek bed forks — stay left. … when blocked — best to go/climb around left. … there is some p-oak, yellow-jackets & ticks.

    After leaving canopy (last ¼ of route), but still in creek bed … at ~200’ below top, there’s minor rock climb (when dry) or do end-around left and return to creek bed.

    Last ~100’ of elevation is in Pic#3 view, unless cam moved or foggy. … but you’re still on public land, until summit perimeter fence.

    Mount Umunhum assaulted!

19. Kevin:

    A well written high schooler’s story of a pre-dawn road assault from Jan’01. Ms. Rettner’s cross-country fitness served her well, as she+3 climbed some serious winding elevation (~2500) before sunrise. NOTE: the “motion detector” insight in Chapter 6; I guess it is more than cameras on the “no trespassing” approach.

    Based on the “anonymous” post above, looks like this route circumvents the dry season limitations of the creek bed. Get wet or get arrested … hmmm?!?

20. David:

    I recently made it to the top of Umunhum. I started my assualt with two of my friends on Soda Springs Road. After we got to the end of the public road, we hoped the gate. May I remind you that we were on mountain bikes. About 200 yards after the first gate, we turned onto a little fire road. We followed the road around Mt. Thayer, hoping more gates. Thayer is completly surrounded by barbed wire fence. A little past Thayer the fire road hooked up onto a poorly mainatined paved road. We came upon another gate and hoped it. We were now in the Almaden AFB. We rode through a small cluster of delapidated barracks and other buildings. If you look closely there is a pool that is overgrown with brush on the side of the road. We then came to a fork in the road. We went off to the left first and passes through a large open gate. From there it was a little further up to the summit of Mt. Um. The views were fantastic from here. I couldn’t believe that I was on top. I’d always wanted to get to the top, but I never thought I’d make it after many attempts. Anyway, we rode back down to the fork, took the right turn and suddenly came upon a big barbed gate. We thought we were stuck, but to add to our terror, we heard a truck pull up behind us. We wee thinking it was a ranger or something, going to bust us. But instead, it was a nice couple who owned some transmitter up there. I think they were the McQueens, but I’m not sure. They opened the gate for us and we rode all the way down Mt. Um RD. BAck home. The sign might say “armed guards on patrol’ but its there just to make sure you dont go. There wasn’t a single soul up there except that one couple. If you want more info about my Mt. Umunhum summit success, e mail me at Snow5074@aol.com I’d be happy to fill you in about it.

21. kevin:

    re:”Anyway, we rode back down to the fork, took the right turn and suddenly came upon a big barbed gate.”

    You took a “right” coming down from MtUm? Doesn’t this go back to MtTh, if I read the map correctly? A “left” would take you along McQueen Ridge road, past the NexRad WeatherDome and to locked gate(s) with the motion detector (of Ms. Rettner), and down the winding MtUm road?

    Gracious of the McQueens to give you 3 a pass — they also own and lease the land for the towers on the ridge between MtUm & MtTh (so your Soda Springs route, might have given them heartburn).

22. David:

    Your right. It was a left turn from the road that went to the summit. We came from the right.

23. kevin:

    Some DEC’04 updated photos from the Radomes site — note the top view of the MtUm “block house.” A good pic of uninviting spot.

    Update MtUm Pics

24. Name kevin:

    Your Comments A new MROSD Sierra-Azul planning map that details ownership of some of the properties of the area. Though it isn’t very detailed, it does offer more insight into the potential for access and acquisition — Sierra-Azul/Bear Creek Area Planning

25. Name David:

    Your Comments Hi Kevin- I was planning to do a bike ride from Summit Road to Mt. Umunhum along the Loma Ridge Rd. DO you have any opinion on this? It looks like an interesting ride. I wanted to know what you think about it. A while back I drove up to the Mt. Loma Prieta area and went to the Sierra Azul OS gate. It seemed to me that one could get to the top of Um from there.

26. kevin:

    Route-wise, you are correct, David.

    As you know from the Summit-Mt Madonna Road intersection, take the left-fork up through the open gate — what I believe is an unenforcible/uninforced “no trespassing” sign is about 50ft NE from that intersection. Wind your way up the hill til you sweep left with MtL-P to your right and up. You then come to a 3-way fork at the foot of MtL-P, the left fork is Loma Prieta-Mt Umunhum Road (Loma Ridge Road).

    Near and NW of MtL-P, you may be briefly crossing private property past the spring (before getting to the MROSD gate you mentioned). After that you continue descending from MtL-P and turning sharply WSW then W and then WNW down and across the saddle ridge, then back up toward MtUm. After ascending past the Camerola Rd turn-off (on left between 3-4 miles from MtL-P) you continue ascending MROSD land before you hit a very well marked “No Trespass” gate and sign on the south end of the same private property you hit coming up from the N on Loma Almaden/MtUm Rd from Hicks. From this point on, signs, gates, cameras and fences are all in the path to MtUm (which you saw from the other direction, on your on your earlier Soda Springs trip). Of course you are subject to all of the legal entanglements, citizens-, MROSD- and Co Sheriff’s-, if you proceed either left and up towards MtUm or the quicker right down the MtUm Rd. Finally, if you choose the earlier the Camerola Rd turn-off down to Lk_Elsman (and later LexRes), it offers a similar brief “No Trespass” private property descent risk, well down from the ridge.

27. kevin:

    Sierra Azul & Bear Creek Redwoods from http://www.openspace.org/activities/downloads/Spring2005News.pdf

    Open Space Preserves Master Planning Preliminary planning, stakeholder interviews, and data collection is currently underway for the Sierra Azul-Bear Creek Redwoods Master Plan. The first public workshop is tentatively scheduled for mid- March 2005. Please check the District Web site or the upcoming project mailing for actual date, time, and meeting location. The first workshop will introduce the public to the planning process and serve as a visioning session for the future use, development, and management of Sierra Azul and Bear Creek Redwoods Preserves. If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive a copy of the project mailing, please contact Ana Ruiz, Project Planner, at (650) 691-1200.

28. kevin:

    1st planning meeting next Monday 4-APR-05 from 6:30-10:00p

    Los Gatos Neighborhood Community Center 208 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95033

    (is 3 to 4 blocks east of Hwy-17, across street from Saratoga/Los Gatos Rec Department bldng)

29. Name:

    More info: MROSD Sierra Azul Planing

    MROSD Sierra Azul Newsletter #1

30. Casa Loma Resident:

    Casa Loma and Loma Chiquita roads are private roads. They’re easements that cut through private land. For the most part the people that live there are very protective (Over protective) of people coming up there. My understanding is that in the 70’s there would be scores of weekend warrior in their new 4x4’s that would plague these roads. If you run into a resident, nothing much is likely to happen other then some angry comments and perhaps gestures. My suggestion is to tell them you’re a resident or that you’re visiting a resident. It’s all rather silly as these are special, beautiful places that can and should be shared with everyone. I’m told also that the caretaker for Mt. Umunhum is rather grumpy and will prosecute for trespassing. The inaccessability of this place, to me, makes it that much more appealing. One final note. The area of Morril road around Lake Elsman is private property owned by the water district. As long as you don’t run into an employee then you shouldn’t have many problems. In many of these cases the worst punishment for being caught is that you’ll be told to “beat it”.

    Good luck and keep exploring. -resident

31. Carol:

    A friend of mine tried to do an Um rid eon his bike and ran in to some crazy rednecks who held him hostage with a shotgun while he called the police. Yikes!

32. Name:

    When, where and any other details? Was the friend in no-no land?

33. David:

    Thanks for all of the info, Casa Loma resident. I totally agree with you that landowners don’t really do anything much to you if you are caught anywhere up there. You’d know, since you live up there. I’m curious to know more about the Mt. Umunhum caretaker you mentioned: what exactly does he patrol if anything? If it’s Mr. McQueen you’re talking about, he let me and my friends through one of the gates, and he wasn’t mad at us for trespassing or anything. Hey Carol-did that incident really happen? I would like to know where it happened so I could avoid the area. Wouldn’t want that to happen to me.

34. L:

    I had an encounter with the red-neck on Mt. Umunhum this morning, 5/26/2005. I was about a hundred feet beyond the 2nd gate when an old truck pulled alongside. The guy (60ish, beard, glasses, heavy, with a “veteran” cap) told me the following, “… You are trespassing… People up here have guns. If we catch you trespassing, we’ll shoot you. blah…blah…blah…” He then drove away, skidding his wheels in the process. I was not amused. A simple warning would have been enough. Death threats were neither necessary nor civilized. Well, perhaps red-neck civility is different. Hmm… such behavior deserves bad mountain karma.

35. Kevin:

    A hundred feet beyond the 2nd gate (SA-09 to Barlow Rd?), is still well in the contested public zone — the warning road stripes and signage are both more than 500 yards farther up MtUm road! So the threat occurred on public property? If I understand you correctly, and the threat was as direct as you say, the incident should at least be reported to openspace.org rangers and the authorities …

36. Kevin:

    Correction: A hundred feet beyond the 2nd gate (SA-09 to Barlow Rd?), is still well in the UNcontested public zone

37. David:

    It is possible that L couild mean the 2nd gate that covers Mt. Umunhum Road only. The SA-09 gate is off to the side. The 2nd gate on the road would be on the ridge just before the turn off to McQueen Ridge and the NEXRAD weather station, which is well within the trespassing zone.

38. Kevin:

    Agreed — we need a clarification if the reference was to ‘SA-09 to Barlow Rd?’ or to the next on-road gate above it?

39. Kevin:

    BTW, nice job on the MtUm page on www.summitpost.org

    Side note to Bob — I had some A HREF syntax trouble with the comment adder on above. Could not create a direct link.

40. David:

    Thank you very much for the compliment. I went up Um for the second time recently, but I got yelled at by a resisdent on Soda Springs Rd, (well after the first no trespassing sign).

41. David:

    Thank you very much for the compliment. I went up Um for the second time recently, but I got yelled at by a resisdent on Soda Springs Rd, (well after the first no trespassing sign).

42. David:

    Ooops. Sorry about the double submission.

43. Kevin:

    Assuming was biking trip — how did you return?

44. David:

    Actually, I hiked this time. I went with one of my friends and his father. We didn’t feel like going back down SS Rd, on the chance that the resident was waiting for us, so we went down Mt. Umunhum Rd and arranged for a pickup at gate SA-08. Going down Mt. Um Rd was no problem, which was nice. We did have to be careful as we neared the trailer park though. Wonder if those are the “rednecks” that Carol was talking about?

45. john:

    This is a very interesting story about mt. umunhum.

    users2.ev1.net/~rettner/ emiray/mtumunhumlink.html

46. Kevin:

    A summary of the first workshop - some progress, though not as fast as many would like! Workshop1_MeetingSummary.pdf

47. David:

    Haha, I’d like to see those things be done in my lifetime. As an attendee of the workshop last April, not a whole lot was said about Umunhum, however some good ideas were taken into consideration.

48. Rad:

    i went up with david, it wasnt so much an assult on mt umunhum as a verbal assult on us when some tight ass saw us

49. Jared:

    From gate SA09, I went hiking down Barlow road with the intention of getting to the top of mt. Umunhum via the Guadalupe creek bed. Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of water flowing now in July and the embankments are not confidence inspiring - and falling into the creek would probably suck. I only made it a little past the first fork in the creek before I turned around.

    So I went further down Barlow road. To my surprise, there are no less than three hidden paths that split from the main trail along the left hand side of Barlow. The first is a little past Guadalupe creek and seems to wind about 200 yards before ending in thick manzanita/bay tree growth. The second path is about 100 yards before a gate and cement-filled garbage can that you can see straight ahead while heading north on Barlow. The third path is about 200-300 yards further up Barlow, behind a gate on the left. Again, this third path doesn’t seem to go too far.

    The second path seems like it may be a possible north-east approach to the summit of Mt. Umunhum. I made it about 3/8-1/2 of a mile up this path before the ground became excessively loose and my path was blocked by a large fern-covered rock. I might try exploring this area again if I’m more prepared. Maybe I lost my way on this second path? The second path is clearly defined by trampled vegetation, which leads me to believe that there is human traffic on this path.

    I know I could try sneaking up the road to get to the Summit of Mt. Umunhum, but hiking is more fun. Plus, the paths off Barlow lead me to believe that there are some possible north-east approaches to the summit of Umunhum. If anyone has any information about other hidden trails up Umunhum, or just any hidden hiking trails in general around the Mt. Umunhum/Thayer/El Sombroso areas, let me know.

    jrradr@earthlink.net

50. Mt Umunhum resident:

    Don’t you people understand the concept of “Private Property”?

51. Kevin:

    “Don’t you people understand the concept of “Private Property”?”

    A pretty broad brush you’re painting with, eh? Your option to read the thread, again; however, some posters here clearly do.

    In my own case, I know that some of the resident postings of “no trespassing/private property/private road” signage at the Summit/MtMadonna road intersection that has, by legal ruling, been invalidated! My presumption is that elsewhere the signage posted by current residents and property owners is valid, and I have posted to that affect on this board.

    The openness of this board provides a public exchange of ideas and progress on legal access to the greater MtL-P, MtUm, Sombroso areas of the Sierra Azul. You’re right — that not all of the posts are in that spirit or practice; but is it not better for those newcomers to this board to know where they will encroach on “private property” and where they are in the clear? And if there are unlawful actions, you certainly will learn of them. Your own post on “private property” — doesn’t this small venue provide yet another way for you to warn off potential trespassers? In this, or in areas of real or potential vandalism, this website offers you allies, should you want to get the word out. It is safe to say that almost all posters here are sympathetic to any action, lawful or unlawful, that delays/restricts access to the public areas of this region so close to our high tech center.

    It is also my hope (though perhaps I’m in he minority), that posters here also know of the dangers of the recent 5-4 Supreme Court ruling sanctioning of what clearly can become local government land confiscation abuses based on “eminent domain!”

    It’s after midnight … perhaps we should leave such things until at least next week?

52. David:

    Yeah, what Kevin said.

53. CmdrPiffle:

    Local resident here…..from the Skyland Rd. side of Summit. Been up here many times….

    I will add that many of the private property signs are put up in non-privately owned areas to block access.

    Methamphetemine production has been noted is several locations in the general area. Maymens Flat seems the worst.

    I would respect all properly marked access to private property, and may be a good idea to ride in groups of 3 or more. I’ve only had one issue, at the summit area of Mt. Loma Prieta a little down from the towers. A Jeep came up and a man demanded to know what I was doing. He was offensive, and there was an implied threat.

    As an avid mt. biker with an uncontrollable urge to summit this thing……I’ve been disappointed. I can advise some really good rides, but not all the way to Mt. Um. I would love to see more open access, and think we may in the future. Anyone here feel free to write me at the below address, and I can suggest some good rides in this area. Cheers

54. CmdrPiffle:

    Guess this would help…

    piffle77@yahoo.com

55. Matt:

    There was a raid on a Marijuana farm on Mt umunhum today, maybe that is why people were so protective up there, didn’t want you cutting in on their stash! Check out the article.

    http://www.ktvu.com/news/4814829/detail.html

    Most of are probably lucky you didn’t push your luck going up there, might have ended up bad.

56. Jared Rader:

    It’s too bad this mountain is surrounded by paranoid neighbors, ranger patrols, and law enforcment actions. I guess I know now that bushwacking around those paths off Barlow road was probably not a very good idea. Hopefully it will cool down up there between the outdoor growing seasons.

    Someday I’ll find a way to the top, but in the mean time, Umunhum’s nearby mountain cousin is a lot friendlier.

57. Name:

    From: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/12324718.htm

    “The marijuana gardens were within half a mile, in a direct line, of residences on the eastern slope of Mount Umunhum in the 16,879-acre Sierra Azul open-space reserve, Cooke said.”

    This sounds like the Herbert Creek Drainage east of MtUm Rd — is bounded between MtUm, BaldMt, AlmadenRes and L-P — a very rugged area! David/Rad — this wasn’t the area you bushwhacked thru to get around the MtUm return blocked, you reported a few months ago? I believe it was you — however the post has been deleted or I saw it somewhere else?

    Anyway, the Jacque’s Ridge parking > MtUm Rd (SA-8) > (SA-9) Barlow > Wood Trails loop is still open for hiking/biking, and apparently not near the crime scene — I checked. As these areas open up, it’s important that they are used/monitored continously. An active vigilent hiking/biking public discourages criminal activity in these remote areas, just by being there.

    In case you need to report suspicious activity, call the Ranger number at 650-968-4411. It’s public land, for public use — keep the bad guys from winning, by default.

58. Kevin:

    The last post was from me…

59. Jack:

    I have just read through this entire forum and am greatly saddened. I lived at Almaden Radar Site in 1972/1973, I was 14/15 years old at the time.

    It was paradise.

    There were about 30 families and 150 enlisted airmen stationed there. We had to ride an old Air Force bus down the mountain each day for school. Sometimes we were snowed in and had great fun handing the school attendance office our “snowed in” notes. When they asked where we lived, we would take them outside and point up to the mountain. We also did this with kids we met at school.

    The base had a half-court basketball gym that doubled as a theater on Friday and Saturday nights, showing first run movies for a quarter. I saw my first R movie there…”Summer of ‘42”. There was also a 2-lane bowling alley that my dad managed in the evenings….25 for a game and a dime for shoe rental. Summer days were spent at the outdoor pool located next to the gym.

    There were miles and miles of fire-roads, I spent many happy hours on my mini-bike exploring these roads (this is before mountain bikes were invented). I learned to rappel on the metal framed tower seen in some of the photos. There used to be two of these towers, they had a “rocking chair” looking structure on top of them. These towers were called height finders.

    Some of the younger enlisted airmen taught my friends and I how to rock climb on some of the rocks surrounding the base. The best one was ‘Big Rock”, where after you were done climbing, you slid down the mountainside through/under the brush at break neck speeds.

    The base was closed due to better radars being developed and the smaller sites such as Almaden were no longer needed.

    Yes, asbestos and lead-contaminated buildings were left behind. One thing people tend to forget is that at the time of the base’s construction asbestos was considered a wonder material, the dangers of prolonged exposure to it were unknown.

    Many uses for the base were discussed after the closing. In 1986 the base was purchased by the Mid-Pensuila Open Space District for somewhere around $270,000. Oh, how I wish I would have known it was for sale, somehow I would have raised the money to buy it. I always thought it would have made a great enviromental studies camp.

    In 2003 I had the opportunity to revisit the base, it was a very bittersweet experience. So many wonderful memories, yet so sad to see it in it’s present condition.

    I grew up on Air Force bases all over the United States in the 60’s and 70’s…Almaden was my favorite.

    If anyone has any questions I would be happy to answer them.

    The Fis and Game warden that was wounded during the recent dope raid is the son of a friend of mine here in Morro Bay.

    I would love to see the road to the summit opened to cyclists and hikers, the views are beautiful. I also long to show my 13 year old son the place I simply call, “the mountain”.

60. Farhan:

    After two long, grueling years, i finally made it to the top of mount umunhum! So for those of you who are curious as how to get up there, here it goes:

    We started by parking at the gate on mt umunhum road. We turned onto Barlow Road SA-09 and hiked till we got to Guadalupe Creek. Thats where we got off Barlow Road and began hiking up along the creek. We came across a lot of forks in the creek, and ended up choosing the sides the looked like the “main” creek. There was some very minor rock scaling involved (which was probably the most fun part of the hike). Then after a ways up, probably about 45 minutes to an hour of hiking you hit this huge wall of rock on your right hand side (and the creek starts curving slightly to the right), probably about 10 ft high. After you climb up this, you pretty much stop following the creek. You go a little bit further up, and take the next opening you see on the right hand side. After another 5-10 min or so, you hit this ledge overlooking the valley below, so we stopped there for a little while to enjoy the view and catch our breath (you can see in the pictures).

    Next began what we ended up calling the “hill of death”. If you’re on mt umunhum road and you look up at the summit (its the east side of the mountain i believe), its just dry open slope with a few bushes and trees. Every other side of hte mountain is covered with thick trees, but this side was relatively clear. So basically you just hike straight up this slope for about another hour, depending on your speed. You basically just use your instinct and make your own path up, it all leads to the summit so it doenst matter much where you go. But we kinda followed a pre made path, which means that people have made the trek before. After a while you begin to see the tip of a radio tower and the tip of the watch tower right next to the block building. This is where we ran into a fence, which was expected becuase i was told there is a barbed wire fence at the top. We came prepared with towels and such to climb the fence if need be. However luckily enough there was a huge hole in the fence. Someone had used some sort of wire cutters to make a large opening in the fence.

    This is where we came across our one and only problem. We ran into a rattlesnake right next to the hole in the fence, about 5 feet away from us. We couldnt see it becuase it was in some bushes, but the sound is so distinct we were positive it was a rattlesnake. One of my friends said you are supposed to stomp your feet and make loud noises to make it go away so we began doing that and in the mean time we ran through the hole in the fence and up to the top of the mountain.

    At the top the building looks a lot bigger than i thought it was. So we just walked around and explored a bit, took some pictures. There are some cameras at the summit that stream live video on the internet, so i called my friend back down in almaden and told him to take some pictures of us using the live camera. To our surprise, the block building’s door was open so we decided to go inside a little bit. It was pitch black in there, thats why theres so many pictures of the stairs (we were using the camera flash as a light source since we didnt bring flashlights). But since it was too dark to go up the stairs we decided to just turn around and go explore outside. We explored around for a little bit more but decided to leave since we were getting worried someone might see us. We were so tired that there was no way we were going to hike down the side of the mountain again to get down. So we deicded to just go down mt umunhum road. The road curves around all over the place, so it took us a decent amount of time. But was still quicker and easier than hiking the mountain again. There are two gates that come up on the way down. The first we were able to crawl under and the second was just a small gate which we jumped over. The second gate however had a camera facing it, so we just walked relaly quickly and didnt look towards the camera.

    I think we got extremely lucky this trip. First of all not runing into any snakes (other than the one at the way top) or wild animals on the hike up the mountain. Also we didnt run into any of the hicks who live up there. So we dont want to push our luck too much, but hopefully i plan on making this trip again someday. Or even better yet, hopefully they’ll make legal hiking trails up to the summit so we wont have to go through this again. But then again, making our own trail up the mountain side was pretty damn fun too. Check out the pictures:

    http://umunhum.shutterfly.com/action/

    http://www.jusspress.com/day.php?userid=17321&currentDate=20050814&currentTime=055411

61. pwnnneeddd:

    can you say pwned?

62. GWS:

    I’ve been following the Mt.Umunhum feud off and on for a while now. I’d like to see this space open up. With people hiking or biking through consistently, we can possibly drive away marijuana farmers and quell concerned land owners with legal easements. Being the highest summit in the valley and illegal to access only makes it more desirable for most people. This is evident in the story of the high school kids. Doing things like beating on the Monolith with crow bars and trying to dismantle alarms can only worsen the tension between the public and land owners. Use common sense.

    I’ll be interested to see if the recent raid on the marijuana farm will induce a more interested public discussion of opening this land for everyone to use.

    If you have a PC and a fast internet connection, Google Earth can get you some nice views of the surrounding area.

    http://earth.google.com

63. Anonymous:

    re: 60 Farhan — please reread post 18!

    First of all, congratulations on your summit!

    BUT you went “right” instead of staying LEFT (as advised in post 18). From paragraph 2 of post 60, this is where you added significant risk and fatigue to your effort: “Then after a ways up, probably about 45 minutes to an hour of hiking you hit this huge wall of rock on your right hand side (and the creek starts curving slightly to the right), probably about 10 ft high. After you climb up this…”

    That 10’ face climb is more like 15’ — often wet and always dangerous. Any who might follow this trek route risk severe injury with a slip and fall. As posted in 18: “While under canopy (1st ¾ of route), full clothing … when path/creek bed forks — stay left. … when blocked — best to go/climb around left. … there is some p-oak, yellow-jackets & ticks.

    After leaving canopy (last ¼ of route), but still in creek bed … at ~200’ below top, there’s minor rock climb (when dry) or do end-around left and return to creek bed.”

    That lower “blocked” face section you encountered, is much easier negotiated by climbing up the mulch covered LEFT bank, using the trees/branches for assist. You then hike around to the left, and rejoin the creek bed safey on top, and continue, always taking left forks up the creek bed. After clearing the canopy, proceed as in post 18, with 1 more left end-around a minor face climb of about 10 ft high (can be safely climbed), but the end around is even safer. This still challenging route is much quicker and safer, and avoids that first dangerous face and the strength sapping “hill of death”, energy that you need for a safe MROSD routed return.

    NOTE: I post this because: 1) if one of us gets injured on this route, it delays/ends it for all of us! 2) because of fatigue, you felt compelled to descend through the private property area. I would have to agree with your decision; to return exhausted, the way you came would certainly have meant casualties in your party. Net result again, it delays/ends it for all of us!

    My request is for you to please save your strength next time per routing via post 18; then descend back through MROSD land, retracing the (post 18) creek bed steps and staying RIGHT (more rested, and avoiding the face descents). You may optionally take a more demanding/tiring NE ridge route down, eventually to Barlow Road past the Guadalupe Creek point of ascent.

    Again my congratulations, but please take care not to endanger it for all of us, next time.

64. David:

    Who are these high schoolers that GWS is talking about? Rad and I didn’t hit the box with crowbars or anything like that and I didn’t read about Farhan doing anything like that. No other high schoolers that I know about. Hey Kevin-Rad and I didn’t bushwack around the area where the pot farm was but I’m still not exactly sure where it was. If it was down by Bald Mtn and Almaden Res, wouldn’t it have been closer to the Hicks Rd. and Mt. Um Rd.? Also, the guy Cooke from the article said that the raid happened 1/2 mile from residences on Mt. Um. What residences? The closest people I can think ofon the eastern slope are the ones up Mt. Um Rd. in the trailer park. I could be wrong…

65. David:

    Oh, and the Mid Pen public workshop for the Bear Creek and Sierra Azul Master Plan is scheduled for October, actual date and location, time TBA.

66. Kevin:

    David (re: 64)

    I believe the “crowbar” reference comes from the Rettner URL (Chap 7 & *) in my post 19, and repeated by John in post 45.

    My guess is the pot farm was where you said, and the residents 1/2 mile away are the ones up Mt. Um Rd. in the trailer park.

    Farhan & friends — nice pics!

    Page 64 of 87 of http://umunhum.shutterfly.com/action/ looks like one of the trailer based residents?

    That barren hill (69 & 70) your group hiked looks like a real leg burner. It also looks like there’s bushes at top that you had to crawl through?

67. David:

    Of course, the Rettner girl. I forgot. But didn’t she go up back in ‘97 or something? I don’t know, but the first time I went (Jan 05), the doors were open. When I went with Rad in May 05, they were closed. And as Farhan tells it, when he went they were open, so obviously someone gets them open.

68. Kevin:

    Not ‘97 — the Rettner trek was ~2001. All doors were locked, and their crowbar was used on a human-size vent (Chap 7 or 8). Vent had white powder lining, which I hope was dust and not asbestos.

69. Farhan:

    I found the minor rock climbing to be the most fun portion of the hike up mt umunhum and i intend on doing it again next time i go up. 10-15 ft of rock wall is not very high or very difficult at all. And its not even like i was in “private” property during that portion of the hike.

70. Charles:

    I, too, used to live at the AF station on Umunhum from around 1975-1977 when I was between 8-10 years old. Like Jack, who posted earlier, I also have fond memories of living on The Mountain. I’d like to hear from anyone who used to live there or lives there now. I live in Utah, but I am planning to revisit the site.

    charlec@bgsu.edu

71. Anonymous:

    Farhad- I too enjoy the modest rock face climbing, and have so many times on that very path. It is very safe and sure when it’s dry, and you’re not tired. But my point is only that a safe and sure round trip on MROSD land should be the objective of all of us. My point was about your (compelled?) choice of “private property return, resulting from the choices you made on ascent…

72. Anonymous:

    Farhad- I too enjoy the modest rock face climbing, and have so many times on that very path. It is very safe and sure when it’s dry, and you’re not tired. But my point is only that a safe and sure ROUND TRIP on MROSD land should be the objective of all of us — don’t you agree? If I read your post correctly, you were (fatigue compelled?) to return over “private property”, resulting from the choices you made on ascent…

73. David:

    Regarding the Mid Pen meeting: November 10, 2005, at 7 PM at the Los Gatos Neighborhood Center. Should be interesting. Not much was said on Mt. Um at the one last April, so I’ll try to retain every question to Mt. Um somehow.

74. Kevin:

    At SummitPost.org, lLooks like a rather colorfully named poster took the Guad-Creek route to MtUm! See the Mt Umunhum thread.

    The anti-spam SW won’t let me post more …

75. David:

    Yes, this “Abraxis” did take the Guad Creek Up. I was hoping he could post it as a route. I’d like to try this route, but probably won’t have the time between now and when the creek starts to flow again.

76. Kevin:

    Bob- it’s when I include the URL (with or without) http that blocks my post.

77. John:

    Hello all, i made it to the top of mt. um back in april 05, i got some pretty awsome pictures! I started my hike at a gate on hicks road (right at the tip of the resivour, theres a hair-pin turn on hicks road, thats where the gate is) I went from there straight up the ridge that leads to the building atop mt. um. The trip took 12 hours, i was dead tired when i got to the top, so i took the private roads back down, I didnt encounter anyone on my trip, and i was able to get picked up at gate SA08. When i went the doors to the tower were not open, i really like the pictures on http://umunhum.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b30fb1ae846b

    It looks like you guys had it a bit easier than me haha, i’d really like to go back up again soon, is anyone itnerested in joining? maybe we can plan a better route? Let me know! my email adress is

    Miyakoiscool@hotmail.com

78. John:

    For some reason my email adress isnt showing up, Miyako(underscore)is(underscore)cool@hotmail.com “Miyakoiscool@hotmail.com”

    hopefully i’ll have time soon to post my pictures on photobucket or something!

79. Kevin:

    John-

    And we thought Farhad took a tough route; Hick’s Gate to MtUm (up Guad-Creek) is an extraordinary trek from ~700 to 3450’ (the last 1200’ in less than a mile). Congratulations! I have it on Topo as about ~3 miles of bushwacking mess. You took the NE ridge?

80. David:

    Tough Stuff!

81. Sherry:

    Where is the observatory in conjunction to Hicks? And are the albino stories really true?

    I have seen and heard of the white truck that constantly goes up past the initial gate, and I was wondering, is that a resident? He almost ran over my friends before. Just curious as to what rumors are true and what aren’t.

82. David:

    Doubt the albino stories are true. The guy with the white truck might be the maintainer of the radio equipment up on McQueen Ridge and Tomita Hill Ridge and/or the general security guy.

83. David:

    An interesting thing happened to me a couple weeks ago: I was watching the Tomita Hill webcam at www.com-ctl.com and I saw that there was a small grass fire on the side of the road. At one point, a tree caught on fire. I called the FD and they came to my house to see where the fire was. They radioed CDF and they had a chopper up there in about five minutes. Within twenty minutes, a single engine fire truck was up there along with the guy in the white truck. I watched the webcam until they left. I didn’t want this to turn into a Southern CA-like fire, so I did the best thing I could. It would have been cooler if I could have gone up there with the firemen though ;).

84. kevin:

    Nice save.

85. kevin:

    Nice save.

86. Rad:

    has anyone noticed that when the guy in the video is riding his bike it sounds like he’s riding a wooden bike. it creaks and stuff and makes noises you dont usually here from a bike.

87. Bob:

    Yup, I rode a wooden bike all the way up Mount Umunhum…ok, maybe not. But I will in celebration the day it’s opened!

88. David:

    Just got back from the Public Workshop, quite a lot was said about Mt. Umunhum. Saw frequent poster Kevin and Scott McQueen there too.

89. kevin:

    I’m glad you fessed up, Bob — the wooden MtBike is so much more natural. I’m right behind you, when my video captures my ascent in wooden clogs?

    Echoing David — the Edaw and MROSD people were diligent at capturing the interest of our key access points for discussion. A Kennedy to MtUm south to the sea (and ESE to Uvas Co. Park) . They also want to broadly escalate the MyUm Super-fund clean-up pressure to Congress — will help with that, but prefer the end-run around MtUm in the mean time.

90. kevin:

    I learned something else — the pot ambush and shootings were more toward the Shannon-Kennedy end of the Sierra Azul (not the Herbert Creek drainage east of MtUm, as I thought). It appears to have been in the more inaccessible canyons between and south of Americh and Pheasant roads. The ranger, Brian, mentioned that they were 4-5 farms raided this year, spread all over the reserve — an obvious WARNING for those who might be tempted to randomly bushwhack thru the reserve. Only one raid got the big publicity, for obvious reasons.

    Final note — the ranger staff wants the odd or suspicious reported to them; but investigating that tempting off-trail path yourself is dangerous.

91. David:

    Climbed Umunhum for a third time today! Went up Guadalupe Creek, following mostly Farhan’s directions. It was a great route. No hassles or encounters with anyone. Descended the same route. I wasn’t too tired after going up “the hill of death” either.

92. Anonymous:

    Congratulations. Seems a lot safer to stay on public land.

    Am glad fatigue wasn’t a factor. The “hill of death” route is also less of an erosion problem give it’s firmer terrain. Next route for you to try is the NE ridge route (also on public land). It offers the least in erosion, and is of course well away from the creekbed. Steeper in places than the creekbed route, but not as steep as the hill, it also easier to stay on previously traveled trail on descent (than ascent).

    As always, long sleeves and pants required … no leaves on poison oak stems is still no protection.

93. Anonymous:

    From your photo on SummitPost.org (“The box and lookout, as they first come into view.”), your approach was the still SSE up from the headwaters creekbed, not ESE or E (which I consider the “hill of death)?”

94. David:

    True; we acsended more to the west of “the hill of death”. We took a very small ridge that went up. This seemed like a nice border to the hill of death, which would be on the east side, and the Guad Creek source, which would be on the west side of this ridge.

    Re NE Ridge: I’ve been doing research on this route (with the help of Google Earth). From the summit yesterday, I looked down the NE Ridge and it looked do-able.

95. David:

    Another interesting thing: going up Guad Creek, I saw many black hoses stuck in pools of water, then going up the sides of the creek. Had a good intention that it was for marijuana, though the hoses were dry and looked rather old, so they were probably from a long time ago.

    If anybody is wondering, the doors to the box were closed, and bolted across.

96. Anonymous:

    re: 94 Agree … a good compromise, as it’s the harder climb for somewhat shorter distance (than t-h-o-d).

    re: 95 also correct … but no change in the hoses etc, for some years now (i.e.not recent).

97. Dave:

    I haven’t hiked up the creek yet to the top but I plan to. I’ve been in contact with David who has been a great help. I saw some of those hoses while I was checking out the creek. We were wondering what they were for as well.

98. Dave:

    I haven’t hiked up the creek yet to the top but I plan to. I’ve been in contact with David who has been a great help. I saw some of those hoses while I was checking out the creek. We were wondering what they were for as well.

99. MrBill:

    I just found this site/blog.

    Interesting.

    I’m glad to hear that MROSD are working to improve public access in the Sierra Azul Open Space preserve, and I agree that we should minimize our impact on land and other improvements by not breaking into the monolith, cutting fences, or causing erosion from cross-country hiking.

    The district’s mandate includes preserving the natural state of its preserves, and to that end I believe it should exhaust all opportunities to use existing roads and trails before it starts cutting new ones that connect to the same places.

    In particular, Loma Almaden Rd. was built by the Air Force many years ago with public funds and never was a private road. These roads are public property even if they cross lands that are private. The same could be said for Loma Ridge Rd. that was probably constructed by the CDF (under WPA or earlier) long before the hicks moved up there with their trailers.

    I have no problem respecting someone’s private property on either side of a road by staying on the road where it crosses someone’s property. But because somone owns land over which a road passes (an easement), does not give that owner the right to control access along that road, any more than I can block off the sidewalk in front of my house.

    Further, if the owners of these inholdings took a rational view they’d realize that having preserved open space around their property increases their long-term privacy since no new plots would be sold off to future residents.

100. David:

     Interesting, I never thought about the whole thing with the road. Makes me think back to Soda Springs Rd, when the resident yelled at us. We were on the road that time. It didnt seem like that guy’s property, considering that his house was already like half a mile away!

101. kevin:

     I believe the MtUm and Loma Almaden road construction, vs. Soda Springs Rd construction were funded differently. The legal case for MtUm access, up MtUm road is a good one — similar to a Summit Rd case settled for public access, in the past.

102. kevin:

     But as always, the case must be funded, filed and settled — the costs non-trivial for anyone (including MROSD). In addition, there’s the land-owner PR problem that the MROSD would have. I suspect both are reasons why MROSD has not taken the initiative.

103. kevin:

     … that is, if the toxics on top of MtUm weren’t a big enough deterent to MROSD action.

     Side note — thx MrBill, for your 24-NOV-05 ride report. My ‘04 hike over “the saddle” was aided by JB’s Apr’04 “last chance” report. Your sequel adds pics to waypoints — useful for next time.

104. kevin:

     No more fire reporting (#83), David — looks like password control has locked up the webcams. We don’t have the full story — maybe there’s been some problems; but in the aftermath of the story behind post 83, this appears to be a short-sighted call by the cam owners.

     OTOH, and on a different subject, Google-earth is powerful and cool!

105. Sara:

     i’ve been hearing a lot of myths about hicks road lately. A friend of mine told me that strange things happen up there at night, is thats true? Because me and my brother areplanning to take a drive up there at night (just to see what all the commotion is about), but im not about to do it if its haunted! And what about the albinos living up there? Do they live in their own little community?

106. Sara:

     i’ve been hearing a lot of myths about hicks road lately. A friend of mine told me that strange things happen up there at night, is thats true? Because me and my brother areplanning to take a drive up there at night (just to see what all the commotion is about), but im not about to do it if its haunted! And what about the albinos living up there? Do they live in their own little community?

107. Sara:

     i’ve been hearing a lot of myths about hicks road lately. A friend of mine told me that strange things happen up there at night, is thats true? Because me and my brother areplanning to take a drive up there at night (just to see what all the commotion is about), but im not about to do it if its haunted! And what about the albinos living up there? Do they live in their own little community?

108. David:

     Sara-Sure a lot of crazy stuff happens up there, not nessessarily at night, though. If your planning a trip up there and it if it is commotion you’re looking for, the higher you go on Mt. Umunhum Rd., the more commotion there could be.

     Re Albinos-If there are albinos (I have my doubts), they would either have to be located just before the private property off of Umunhum road, or higher up on the ridge-I discovered (with the help of Google Earth) another trailer park located just south of when Mt. Umunhum rd. meets the ridge. This is well within private property, and I’d imagine that these guys would be more hostile than the ones down Mt. Um rd, so be careful!!!

109. David:

     Sucks about the cameras, HOWEVER, the security camera (labeled Mt. Umunhum Quad) I believe doesnt need a password to be viewed.

110. Dom:

     I’ve really enjoyed reading this, I did much the same thing when I was in high school and lived in Almaden. It seems from your descriptions the security has become lax from what it was. I was chased by some crazy guy ( we still talk about this nut case when old high school friends get together) in a jeep the first time we made it to the top. The security lamp on Mt Umunhum road on the main approach used to flash red lights and make an audible noise in between 1996-1998. In 96’ We hiked up at night (read: STUPID) and when we got to the main gate, the camera flashed the red light made the squealing noise and then we kept going; within about 15 seconds some giant light turned on on the road either at the guard shack or behind it, and the same nut case, this time in a station wagon chased us down the hill. I don’t think there are any albino’s up there but my friend at the time Dad was a Santa Clara County Sheriff told us to keep away because they have had their share of bizarre calls from the area. My question for you guys is any one been up to Mount Thayer?? I remember the site up there was interesting as well…

     Good Luck! Dominick

111. David:

     Cool stories Dom!

     Bob Burd has made it to the summit of Mt. Thayer. I myself have been very close, and I’ll bag it when I get the chance. You’ll find a nice pic of the summit of Thayer on his trip report here.

112. David:

     Bad news: the imobile security have also been taken off of com-ctl.com.

113. Name:

     Your Comments

114. Scott:

     Sorry the cameras were locked because they are used for site operations and not for play. There was just to much use on the pan/tilt cameras and often the camera was left in a positon to have the sun damage the optics. I know this is all a lot of fun for all but we do run a communications business at these sites, and the cameras are a useful tool for operations.
     Your all correct, the views and sites are all great form the top. And I bet none of you who read and comment here have ever damage or stolen equipment from the base or the communications sites, however there are that have and those who still do. This is why the gates on on the road are locked and base is still closed. It is allways the other guy but at a remote site like these what else can one do?

115. Scott:

     Sorry the cameras were locked because they are used for site operations and not for play. There was just to much use on the pan/tilt cameras and often the camera was left in a positon to have the sun damage the optics. I know this is all a lot of fun for all but we do run a communications business at these sites, and the cameras are a useful tool for operations.
     Your all correct, the views and sites are all great form the top. And I bet none of you who read and comment here have ever damage or stolen equipment from the base or the communications sites, however there are that have and those who still do. This is why the gates on on the road are locked and base is still closed. It is allways the other guy but at a remote site like these what else can one do?

116. James:

     Based on this page http://www.mnn.net/goodbaduglyhtm.htm I was surprized that McQueen let you go without a problem

117. David:

     The article was probably referring Mr. McQueen to Loren McQueen, Scott’s father.

118. Clint:

     Scott, Is there a way we can work something out with Mr. McQueen. Kind of a biker, hiker neighborhood watch. I have biked up to the spot on the road where you can see the coast. I love the view. The last time I ran into what I am guessing to be Mr. McQueen. It wasn’t any fun. I understand his issues. Can we work something out?

119. Clint:

     Scott, Is there a way we can work something out with Mr. McQueen. Kind of a biker, hiker neighborhood watch. I have biked up to the spot on the road where you can see the coast. I love the view. The last time I ran into what I am guessing to be Mr. McQueen. It wasn’t any fun. I understand his issues. Can we work something out?

120. David:

     Clint-interesting idea. What spot did you bike to where you got caught?

121. David:

     Sidenote-nothing really to do with Umunhum, but I rode my bike from Loma Prieta down Mt Madonna/Summit Rd, through the so called private property. Referring to comment 53 “Methamphetemine production has been noted is several locations in the general area. Maymens Flat seems the worst.” We rode by Maymen’s Flat, and its all a bunch of trailers clumped together, a surperb area for meth labs. The ride was pretty nice, and the rode is actually public, unlike the signs suggest.

122. Clint:

     I was stopped well past the “armed guards patroll this area”, very close to the four way. That’s where I get the view. Can you get to the top of Loma Prieta from Hicks rd? I look on google satellite map and see a route but I worry that I would run into more trouble. Just lookin for a Umunhum like ride with view of the coast.

123. David:

     There is a ride possible from Hicks Rd. that goes to Loma Prieta, yet it would have to include some negotiating through private property. You would have to go up Mt. Um Road to the ridge, and from there, head south along Loma Ridge Rd. This section of road (dirt), is for the most part in Sierra Azul OPen SPace property, yet there are a few parcels along this ridge that are private property. One is just as you turn south onto Loma Ridge, where there is a small trailer-park sort of thing. The second is a bit further up the ridge, near the interection of where Cathermola/Metcalf Rd turns down to Lake Elsman. Same thing, a small trailer park, yet it is off the main road a little. Once you get closer to Loma Prieta, the Open SPace property disapears (you’ll go through a MPOSD gate), and you can easily ride up to the summit of Loma Prieta. I have yet to try this ride, yet I would imagine that it would give you some really nice views of the coast.

124. kevin:

     “Also, access to the open space area is disputed by a major landowner, Mr. McQueen, who zealously guards the many radio transmitters on his ridge top from would-be trespassers.”

     More than a bit inflammatory — McQueen property including tower areas are simply private property. The restricted access to MtUm’s former Almaden AFS is enforced by MROSD — owner of that land. If you get there without hitting McQueen or other private land, your problems are with MROSD. As posted on this thread, there is access away from private land and the disputed (not court-tested) areas.

125. Clint:

     It is become clear to me that we must befriend Mountain Man McQueen. The way Kevin Cosner made friends with the wolf in “Dances with Wolves”. Although I don’t think scrapes of meet will keep the peace. I thought offering up an IPOD as I work at Apple but I still didn’t think this would appease Mr. McQueen. Then it came to me, we must offer up Kevin as a sacrifice for the past wrong doings to the mountain people.
     But seriously, is there some way he could see us as a plus? probably not.

     David, If you would be interested I would like to try this ride this Saturday. We could meet at the Gaudalupe damm.

126. Brian:

     How far up Mt Um Road can you get by car.

127. David:

     1.6 miles from Hicks Rd. to gate SA-08. You can walk 1.3 miles after that until you get to private property. (continue, if you’d like ;) )

128. Ed:

     I am curious about access from the LP end. According to Google Earth their appears to be some buildings/trailers about half a mile from LP mountain on LP Road. Can anyone tell me about this area?

129. David:

     Loma Ridge is mostly Open SPace Property, omit those two trailer parks. Access from L-P to Um would be a great hike or bike ride. No cars, there is a gate closer to L-P. You’d have to be careful going by the trailer parks, other than that, its a pretty good route to Um.

130. Ed:

     I would be walking. Slipping by these trailer parks on foot seems difficult. Any idea if they have any canine members? The prospect of meeting the clan from Deliverance is bad enough without having to deal with unchained hounds.

131. David:

     It should be no problem on foot…K-9s are closer to L-P. Yet, I’d rather come into contact with the people closer to L-P than to Um. The tough spots would be half way to Umunhum, and approaching Umunhum road, those being the spots where the Deliverance clan would be.

132. David:

     Check this site out for some sweet pics of Loma Ridge.

133. Anonymous:

     For what it’s worth, this area is patrolled by MROSD is closed to public access due in part to intervening private property. The roughly 8 mile walking hike makes discovery and pickup possible and perhaps likely from MROSD, or worse from the private property owners. Contrast that risk of county sheriff arrest to a bicycle trip of 1/5th the time.

     In addition, there is no way on this route to approach the old Almaden AFS area without trespassing extensively on McQueen property. Note: bikers rarely go to the AFS, but instead shortcut briefly through McQueen property on their way down Mt Umunhum road. This is a much less sensitive, but still illegal encroachment, in my opinion.

134. Lyle:

     Here is what I want to do… legally… get from the bottom of Old Almaden Museum all the way to Lake Elseman via Mt Umunum. What is the best way to get there through the mountains?

135. David:

     That’s bascillay the most illegal hike anyone can do. I’m not familiar with the museum, but from Mt. Umunhum to Lake Elsman, you’d have to go down Austrian Gulch.

136. James:

     me and a buddy recently assaulted umunhum, we took the SA09 trail and about a half mile or so down we cut off to the left and made our own, there was a ton of snow which made our hike difficult, we came up behind the cube. we were up there for about half an hour and decided to head back down, we couldnt go back the way we came so we decided to walk down umunhum then we came across a camera right by the access road to the dopler radar thing. the rangers stopped us about 200ft from there and seized our memeory card out of our camera and gave us tickets! they were cool though. we were just stupid for trying to chance it down that road. when we get our memory card back i will post up some pics or something, we got some really good ones

137. David:

     Interesting-next time I’ll hide my memory card under my tounge! How bad were the tickets? I wish I could’ve fit in a trip up there with the snow, but my schedule only allowed a trip up to Loma Prieta to check it out.

138. Anonymous:

     Do you suspect you were on candid camera?

139. kacey:

     wow….i just rea 138 posts…i am OBSESSED with local nature and Mt. Umunhum is the thorn in my side that will not go away. i want to know everything about it and can’t stop reading this website. who lives up there? who are the McQueens? can they be contacted by email/phone/anything!? i work at starbucks. i’ll get them coffee. please email me anything interesting about this mountain/answers to my questions. kcribari@gmail.com THANKS

140. Matt:

     I have an “albino” story. On the Fourth of July in the summer of 1998 some friends and I took Hicks Rd back from Santa Cruz to San Jose. It was about 10 P.M. I had heard stories of albinos living in Old Almaden who shot at airplanes that flew overhead, but never heard anything about Hicks Rd. About 10 minutes after someone started talking about the albinos, we passed a large white van to the right; sitting where a dirt road met Mt.Umunhum Road. It’s headlights were out meaning it was just sitting there, not waiting to turn on to Mt.Um road or anything. It happened so quickly it’s almost a blur, but I’ll never forget seeing two bald men in the front seat illuminated only by moonlight. It still creeps me out to think about it. They didn’t pull out and follow us or anything. They just sat there and watched us drive by. Both cars made eye contact with each other. It was a very creepy experience and I avoided Hicks Road for years.

     I’m heading up to Bald Mountain tomorrow for the first time. It’ll be my first time up to the Umunhum area since that incident in 1998!

141. Matt:

     “…sitting where a dirt road met Mt.Umunhum Road…”

     Sorry. I mean where a dirt road met Hicks Rd.

142. Matt:

     How did/do you folks find out the names of the propert owners?

143. Matt:

     Interesting link:

     http://ceres.ca.gov/ceqa/cases/1988/mcqueen_071888.html

     “The GSA (General Services Administration) had promised before escrow closed that the federal government would take full responsibility for removing the substances and decontaminating the property.”

144. Matt Again:

     Loren R. “Mac” McQueen has got to be pretty old because fromw hat I keep reading, he’s been leasing property on Mt.Um since the 1950’s. I can only assume that the property would fall into some next of kin’s hands, but I still wonder what will happen when he passes on?

145. Matt again!:

     ‘Mount Umunhum, where the legendary Loren McQueen ruled, was good to KKUP, cost-wise. The McQueen family had owned mountain property since the early 1900s and, according to people with business on the mountain, McQueen often patrolled his property in a jeep with a racked rifle or shotgun.

     “McQueen liked to practice the art of intimidation,” Jang recalled, “but he generously offered us a place for $1 a year, and we were grateful.” ‘

     http://www.community-newspapers.com/archives/cupertinocourier/03.21.01/kkup-0112.html

146. Rad:

     heres a site with forums on illegal peaks in the SF bay area, including Mt Umunhum.

147. David:

     What Rad meant was here.

148. Matt:

     I don’t know if this has been posted before, but couldn’t one just hike up Woods and make a left on Barlow Road, proceed until you’re under the summit and just hike more or less straight up to it? There’s no private property on the way, and you wouldn’t trespass until you hit Mt.Umunhum. Do the McQueen’s own the land on the opposite side of the Santa Clara valley?

149. David:

     Matt, your describtion would either be the Northeast Ridge or The Guadalupe Creek route up to the summit. These routes are what I recommend most for the peak, since your always on park property (even at the summit) and there’s nobody on that side of the mountain.

     Re McQueens: They own land on Mt. Allison, by Mission Peak, above Fremont, but that is the ony land they own on that side of the valley.

150. Matt:

     I headed up to Bald Mountain yesterday for the first time. It was crazy being so close to the monolith, yet so far away. Upon arrival at gate SA-08 we got out of the car and loaded up our camera and lunches. I heard a car coming up the road. About a minute later a brown truck/small SUV (can’t remember which) comes into view and I smile at the driver. The guy doesn’t even look at me! My girlfriend and I are the only two people within miles and he doesn’t even look our direction. Doesn’t that seem weird? So he proceeds to unlock gate SA-08 and drive thru. Could he have been a McQueen? All I remember about him is that he had a mustache and dark hair. About 20-30 minutes later I saw a vehicle coming down the road from beyond gate SA-08, but I couldn’t verify if it was the same vehicle that I saw drive in because we were at the peak of Bald Mountain. Anyone recognize the car or the guy?

151. Rad:

     McQueen had graying hair and no mustache last time I saw him, so I doubt it was him.

152. Matt:

     Yeah, this guy was in his early 40’s maybe. I knew it wasn’t Loren, but I thought it might have been one of his sons or something.

153. Scott McQueen:

     it is funny to read about my self, and the stories of the mountain. We do not live on the mountain. It is only our business. And you know I cannot even visit the summit where the block building is either unless I have permission. Because I respect the landand property of Mid Pen, You see we share the access and both own properity on the mountain. we do not own all of the mountain. And the last gate onto the old base is locked by Mid pen for safety issues. A small city falling apart is not a safe place to walk around. At the brown sa-o8 gate you will meet many homeowners (sometimes me) but not often unless a problem with our sites. And yes we own Mt. allison sourrouned by East Bay Regional Park on the other side of the valley. So if you realy have a question and would like to get a straight answer about wha is up, give me a call durning week at 377-2900

     have a good weeekend.

154. Adam:

     I’ve been up to the top about 3 times in the last year. i just went straight past the gates and cameras and stuff and climbed the fences. i only got botherd once when going up there and they said that its dangerous cause of all the abestos adn shti…. climbin thru the hatch to the top of the cube
     

     
     chillen on the top
     

155. David:

     Nice pics!

156. Rad:

     Hey Adam, how did you get into the box. I’ve been up twice and both times the doors were locked. I’ve heard that there is another way in but I don’t know where it is.

157. David:

     Yay, Rad and I got to the summit by way of the NE ridge today. We tried to get into the box, but the doors were locked, and we didn’t see anyway in except for a possible vent, which would have been a squeeze. We spent a good hour-hour and a half on the upper part of the base, just checking it out. I noticed some workers over at Tomita Hill, but didn’t pay too much attention. When we made our way down the road into the part of the base, we had to ditch the road becasue of a ranger coming up the road. Spent a good 15 minutes in the brush along side the road, and waited for the ranger to come back down the road. We then high-talied it back up to the summit, where we made our way down Guad Creek (which in itself was difficult this time of year). The NE ridge was a fun route on the upper slopes near the summit, but it kinda sucked because there is a moderate amount of bushwhacking to do near Barlow Road. Compared to Guad Creek, I like the NE ridge better when Guad Creek is flowing.

158. kevin:

     David -

     Later this week, report if you get poison oak — and if not, how you believe you avoided it while bushwhacking. It’s not as visible this time of year; and with the cold+wet weather it may be semi- (though not totally) dormant. Can you also estimate the time differences, between routes?

159. David:

     No P-Oak yet, though its only Monday. As for the times: Guad Creek would seem a bit shorter when the creek is dry. When I went up Guad Creek last November, it took us just over an hour from the bottom to the top. From Barlow Rd. to the summit via the NE ridge, it took us about 1 hr. and 15 minutes-ish. The hard part of the NE ridge is the beginning, where most of the bushwhacking takes place.

160. Trail Boss 5000:

     I know a possible way to MTN bike some sweet singletrack on public land from Woods trail over the summit to Ralphs Mtn. The trail is there but needs a little trimming back. Aerial photographs suggest that the trail has been there forever. (You have to love Google maps). Currently it’s probably being used by pot farmer’s. But now I want it for a piece of priceless singletrack that will connect a large portion of open space to another. We will keep you posted on our progress. By posting this I’m hoping that some of you will get involved and help trim the trail back so that it is rideable. That way I won’t have to do it all myself. From my estimates it would only take 8 people armed with a hand saw and clippers about 6 hrs to complete. And then maybe another couple to clean up. Some might say that we are building on Illegal trail but I disagree. It is already there!!! So do your homework find the link and start clearing. Then you could could hike within a half mile or so to Mt Uminumn. And for the most part,not be tresspassing onto Uncle Fester’s Pot and Meth lab.Good luck

161. David:

     If you are talking about the faint trail from El Sombroso to the ridge between Mt. Th and Mt. Um, you’ll have a lot of trimming to do! But I support this project 100%, seeing I am a mtn biker myself. That ride would be amazing along the ridge, then the descent from Mt. Thayer to Ralph’s Mtn would be amazing. I have seen this trail you are talking about from Google Earth, and it looks like a nice ride if its fixed. Good luck!

162. Adam:

     All three times i went there the doors were opend. the last time i went there there was a 2x4 with nails sticking up right on the inside… i stepped right over it adn then realized what it was. be careful for that shit. if you really want a thrill you can do waht we did and climb the radio tower on the top of the cube… now thats a rush… I don’t think i’ll be going back to the base though i’ve been in every building and seen it enogh times… i wish i knew of other spots like this to explore…

163. trail boss 5000:

     It’s actually not that bad at all. Give me 8 men,tools, some food and a backpack full of beer and we could pull it of in a day. Who’s in?

164. Adam:

     I’m down, i ride the mountian trails on my 20”

165. David:

     I’m also down for this trail. Sounds cool.

     Kevin- I got poison oak. Not a horrible case of it, but enough to annoy the heck out of me. I wore long sleeves up the ridge, and Rad wore long sleeved shirt, but shorts, and he has it worse than me. Go on this route when the poison oak isn’t as thriving.

166. kevin:

     Tough break — I had hopes. My experience is the outbreak peaks at 6-7 days, so your close to the worst of it (if that’s a guide). Strenuously physical bushwhacking gets me in the face in any season. Even with full garb and gloves, I always do some reflexive perspiration wipe-aways that transfer the urushiol to my face and eyelids. If I don’t where the protective clothing, I get it directly — if I do, the heat build up and sweating does the trick. And without stripping on site, transferring the urushiol from clothes to car seats become problematic for reexposure.

     ASAP showers and FULL clothes and boot wipes/washes with Tecnu do help, but there’s no substitute for a relatively clear trail.

     Here’s a FAQ I trust for good info: http://www.knoledge.org/oak/ I believe this part the most, “the alternative is to never go anywhere fun.” And that is a price I’m not willing to pay without best practices.

167. Bob:

     Yikes, be careful with the poison oak guys! By this point in my bushwacking career I’m extremely allergic—guess my Mt. Umunhum assaults will have to stay on the road!

     Regarding that though, I just heard from an old friend that he made the assault from the other side of the road (Loma Prieta) without any problem. Still not legal, but hopefully opening up…

168. Rad:

     I got poison oak EVERYWHERE!! I’m still miserable and it’s been a week since the hike. Northeast Ridge sucks.

169. :

     Sorry to hear that Rad.

     Re: reinfection. Use latex gloves to handle/wash all your clothes in cold water. Then make sure you hose down your boots and laces, and then wipe both down again with a Tecnu soaked cloth. Leather boots and leather (or cloth) laces hold the urushiol that you walked through on NE ridge. From boots to hands to ??? again, if you don’t.

     Something that David and I spoke about at the OpenSpace mtg — I still believe the NE ridge is the most environmentally friendly path to the peak. Steps/trail along the ridge will be easier grade to maintain, have much less erosion than GuadCreek, and not trespass. Of course the P-Oak will have to be cleared.

170. kevin:

     169 was mine.

171. james:

     sorry i havent responded to any of your questions. David, i dont know how bad the tickets are yet, i have a court date on the 18th to find out. me and my buddy took some really cool pics up there, i should get my memory card back the day of the court date, ill be sure to post my pics up asap…and another question, how did the guys in the pictures get up to the top, when we went there the doors were welded shut! someone get back to me on that one please

172. Danny:

     Where is the NE Ridge and how can you get to it? Is it off of Mt. Umunhum Rd.? And is the entire trail on public propert up to the fence surrounding AVAFS? My buddies and I want to make the venture up, but we want to do it as much on public land as possible. Is there a google map image of the NE Ridge trail highlighted somewhere?

173. Danny:

     I also hear Soda Springs Rd. is a good trail. Does this stay on public propert up until the base?

174. David:

     The NE ridge is, as you can guess, on the north east side of Um. You approach it from Mt. Umunhum rd., by taking Barlow Road, past Guadalupe Creek and right to the ridge. A small fireroad-type of thing leaves the trail at the ridge and heads up to the left. This soon becomes a very small trail and soon there is basically no trail. Don’t do the NE ridge unless you are comfortable with getting poison oak, cause you’ll get it. The plus side is that it does stay on park property until the fence.

     Soda Springs Rd is a little more difficult seeing that it does pass through some private property at the beginning gate, then goes into park property, then back to private, then back to park when you get to the base. No chance you’ll get poison oak, though. ;)

175. Danny:

     Are there any images of maps and routes (NE ridge, soda springs, sa09, etc) detailing the paths and how to acces them?

176. David:

     Danny, there aren’t any I know of on the net but I can compile some stuff on Google earth for you and then send them to you if you’d like. I just need your email adress.

177. Danny:

     That’d be great David. I’m trying to compile a map complete with as many trails as I can find. Anything you could do would be so much help. My email is lnknptheory@gmail.com Thanks!

178. kevin:

     Maps — in addition to the online stuff (Google:Earth, NASA Worldwind, and MyTopo.com), I bought and use NatGeo’s Topo for my CA hiking needs. Many old Sierra Azul trails and fire roads are visible along with private* property lines. You also have the ability to pan and print your map to the exact area and with useful resolution, including a trail elevation plot of your proposed path – a great value.

     Take the Guad-Creek route for example; using Topo with the elevation overlay, it is clear why that route is doable without a hill-of-death. It also shows why the hill-of-death routes are well named for most of us weekend hikers. It also adds to your investigation on the promise the NE ridge route. Finally, you can print to a color-waterproof and carry version for your hike. Unfortunately, it does not identify poison oak.

     • Re: private property, I cited a Topo-CA discrepancy in one of my error and correction discussions with cartographer Matt Sagues at MROSD. Matt then investigated and verified correct, the recent property line adjustments, that Topo had already used (pretty good for a retail SW packege). The MROSD online version on was then modified to reflect the recent changes.

179. Mike:

     ok, im a cyclist and i want to get to the box because of the nice veiw and bragging rights. however, all this armed guard and pot farms and stuff have me a little scared. some people have said those were established for the air force and dont apply anymore but im still skeptical. i also have a mt bike map which shows a gate on the right of mt umunhum rd in betweent the barlow trailhead and the no tresspassing signs. it is called the san fransisco peninsula and santa cruz mountains mountain biking map form krebbs cycle products so i was wondering if the gate provided any access w/o tresspasing signs

180. kevin:

     8X — a new record!

     Regarding the “in between” gate — this is either the fenced “no trespass” frontage spur that returns to MtUm road further up (also “no trespass” from that direction), or this is the trail spur that winds a bit before ending well down from MtUm.

     Regardess, any non-returning path west off MtUm Rd, after the Barlow/SA09 gate becomes overgrown and/or ends in private property. MtBikers really have no off-road options (unless you can backpack your bike while bushwhacking).

181. Ricky:

     James and I went up hiking to Umunhum, and after the court date, we got fined 297 dollars and 2 misdemeanors on our record. The pics will be soon, ill post them up. How did you get in the box? It was welded shut.

182. David:

     Ouch, that’s steep.

183. Ed:

     Hi, I am looking for some company for a hike up to the AF stationon Mt Um. Anyone interested, write me at edlennox@comcast.net

184. kevin:

     One “company” comes to mind — Bad Boys Bail Bonds?

185. Ed:

     Well, as part of my preparation, I think I will look up their number also. Thanks for the suggestion.

186. Danny:

     Hey, if anyone is goin up to the Box anytime soon, please send me an email at lnknptheory@gmail.com . I have a very important request (which may keep me from getting a fine/misdeamenor on my record.) Thanks.

187. David:

     Something I found out from an inside source recently: there are two trailers just north of Tomita Hill and the communications towers on a fire road that eventually turns into the bushwack hell that leads to El Sombroso. They are located in a grove of cedar trees or something, very isolated! They’re inhabited too! Check it out, its barely visible on Google Earth. These wouldn’t pose as a problem with access unless you are coming from El Sombroso along the bushwack ridge. Freaky!!

188. David:

     Anoher thing: try out globe xplorer for exploring the trailer parks around Um. It shows way more detail than Google Earth, yet is a little harder to navigate, but its still cool.

189. kevin:

     One problem is that it is private property, and not MROSD land. Anything above ~2700’, including the forked headwaters of Rincon Creek are not MROSD. The trail from El Sombroso is near 3000’ before you move SW toward Mt Thayer;. If you bushwhack (no trail connenction) ESE off the ridge toward those trailers (crossing the Mt Thayer-Rincon headwaters fork), toward Mt Tomita and later MtUm, you hit private property about ‘300’ lower.

190. Jared:

     Sometime last month, I finally made it to the top of the mountain. I chose the NE ridge (trip report at summitpost.org), and it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, but I had an amazing time once I reached the summit. I took a bunch of pictures along the way. Unfortunately, though, the law took my bunch of pictures.

     I was riding high with a feeling of success from making it to the summit, exploring the entire area, and making it back to public land without getting caught. I guess I could blame a feeling of elation for why I confessed to an MROSD ranger that I was trespassing at Mt. Umunhum; however, I blame it on being a moron. Needless to say, the ranger took the CF card from my camera, wrote me a citation, and sent me on my way.

     I was arraigned for the citation and the judge was kind enough to dismiss the case. Now I need to get my CF card back. The problem is, I have no idea who I am supposed to call because there isn’t a contact number on my receipt for property form. I know some of you have been through this situation, so I hope someone can offer some advice. I can be reached at the email address in post #49 above.

191. kevin:

     Congratulations on your trip and access.

     It appears you’re responding to a number of MtUm forums with your mthamilton1.jpg link. I would caution you on painting all reader/posters here with too broad a brush (e.g. “All of you make reference …��). While you googled a lot about MtUm and AFS, careful reading of this site and direct links would have saved you a lot of other reading. Much of what you put in your excellent trip report was already here or linked directly from here, (security, NEXRAD, Radome.org/AAFS/GATR, Emily Rettner’s Hike, the remote hiking/climbing injury and numerous trespassing warnings). But no, we haven’t posted about the BASH Club and Randee McQueen, the CFO of CCI, although I’ve personally known of both for years. All that said, your up-to-date summary of all of this does have great value; thank you for that.

     FWIW – Rick, the McQueens and the other home/property owners are also subject to citation and arrest for trespassing on Almaden AFS just like us, for that is MROSD land and closed to the public. Had Rick taken you to the AFS without MROSD approval, well that would have told us something about him (and would be contrary to what is your otherwise fine report of him). Had you read the CCI website, you might have noticed this in McQueen Ridge/Tomita Hill Map pages – “WARNING: The base area is closed and off limits. This area is patrolled by County Sheriff and Open Space Rangers. If you are found on the base (exception of the road to the site) you can be sited and prosecuted.�� NOTE: the GATR site is on Mt Thayer section (also closed MROSD land) – had Rick driven you there without their permission, well (same comment as before) …

     Your perception of the public vs. private property dilemma of the MtUm Almaden-AFS property access is inaccurate as it applies to this thread. It is only the road/roads that is/are in discussion and dispute, and not any of the clearly private property around it. I am confident, that the disputed legal facts of the ROADS are accurately portrayed in this MtUm thread – up to where you lumped it/them into a general private property rights discussion. Many of the roads of the Almaden-AFS and adjacent areas were funded publically, and therefore subject to legal rulings awarding easement in such cases, as have already been court-tested in the Summit-Madonna road areas near there. A lawsuit however has not specifically been undertaken, so the easement up to and across the MtUm L-P saddle has not been ruled upon.

     Rick (or in your translation of what he said) has also unfairly generalized the motives of those break-in victims who park their cars up there. Car window smash/break-ins occur both at the lower Jacques Ridge parking (MtUm Road and Hicks) as well as the upper Bald Mt shoulder parking, for those hiking legally to Bald Mountain, via Barlow Road, or Woods trail (to destinations beyond). If Rick truly knows those hiker victim’s motives to be true, one might be suspicious of his story – a conspiracy minded person might wonder if he knows the B&E criminals? And are they using B&E intimidation tactics to discourage legal (as well as illegal) access and hiking to MROSD lands? Again, your story is of an honorable man, so I reject that suspicion. But let’s remember, there’s at least two sides to all of this — owners, MROSD, the public and the freakin B&E criminals.

     Finally, welcome to the board; you’ve made a very nice contribution to the knowledge base. Great pic’s too! FYI — Rick’s turnoff appears to be above Austrian Gulch.

192. David:

     Good story. I have driven up there with Mcqueen before. BTW, CG, Im Umunhumkid from the UER forum, if you didnt know that already.

193. David:

     I would, but now I “Don’t have enough access privledges to view this forum”. Can you still log on? If so, can you put in a good word for me? Its a really interesting forum, and Id like to continue to view and contribute to it.

194. Matt (GWS):

     CG, your story is great and the pictures are wonderful. Thanks for the contribution!

     I’m only gonna touch on a couple of things from your post.

     I’m with you on the fact that private property needs to be respected. It’s ridiculous that people think it’s ok to just walk across someone’s land and not expect to get in trouble. Some trip reports I’ve read on other illegal peak ascents on aother website seems to prove that some people just don’t seem to care about fences, and will happily walk right past them, hop over them, or trample them down for bragging rights. I can’t blame property owners for feeling somewhat insecure on this issue and feeling like they must take extreme measures (i.e. brandishing a weapon). With local police a good drive away, what else can you do to make sure they beleive you? You’ve basically got 800,000 people looking at a mountain everyday who would do almost anything just to see the view from the top and one or two people to stop you from walking through their property to get there. They’re not gonna make it easy on you and they sure don’t want you going home and telling your friends how easy it was to walk through their property.

     Regarding the private property warning signs and accusations of whether or not they’re actually on private property, well, we can speculate all day until we’re blue in the face but until we see a parcel map, we’ll never know for sure. If someone has an account at globe xplorer, you can do that there. Anyone willing to shell out the bucks and finally prove it? :)

     As far as any policing agency not making them move the signs if they’re false; well I think those signs being where they are keep a lot of people from going any further. That saves more than an hour’s drive for any cop who would theoretically get called out to an incident in the hills, at least the way I see it. That and the fact that things like this aren’t a high priority on any civic employee’s “things to look into” list.

     Like Kevin, I’ve also known of BASH and Randee for some time, but have been reluctant to contact him. I just don’t think I’d have anything productive to say. I’d just feel like I was bothering an already busy person.

     I personally think that when the marijuana farm was raided, it was our chance to bring all this Umunhum business to the front of the local section. So many people don’t even know what the monolith is, and by bringing it up, we could have possibly brought it’s history and it’s current situation to the eyes of hundreds of thousands of people, who could have rallied for it’s cleanup and opening.

     That would have been an ideal situation of course.

     The way it stands now, I see myself looking at a contaminated mountain top for a long, long time.

195. David:

     Contaminated or not, private property or not, there will always be people going up there.

196. Matt (GWS):

     CG, if you can, would you supply some info on the more political actions of MROSD? I guess I just don’t understand what they have to lose if they were to clean and open the property up. Do they not charge a day use fee for use of their properties (lik