The chill in the air as we left the car-park was a palpable reminder of Autumn on its way. There were just four of us. The 9:30 am meeting time, as well as the changed rendezvous point, owing to the Arts Festival happening downtown simultaneously, meant that hike organizer, Tim Custis, was leading just three intrepid hiking yogis: Chitra, Marcia, and myself, on the relatively easy Castle Rock Park walk. I mentioned the Autumn chill as we left the car-park at the hike entrance. Did I also mention the large sign warning of mountain lions in the area? It was noticed, by more than one of us. We were well into the halfway mark of the hike, when Tim, in a casual aside, mentioned that he had also seen a rattlesnake when hiking this route a few weeks ago. While it is immensely gratifying to know that these nearby nature parks are still home to these wild creatures, it was probably comforting to us as we picked our way over craggy trails, that they remained safely out of sight. What did not remain hidden were the spectacular views. Tim had promised views and a waterfall, and he sure did deliver. Manzanita trees and field flowers lined the path. There were enormous, pitted rocks, which, according to Tim, serve as abseiling locations. One we jokingly labeled “Acne Rock” for its textured surface. Castle Rock Falls was the hike’s destination. We stopped briefly to admire the waterfall and listen to its cascading rhythms down the cliff-face. Then it was back on track again. Chitra, with her hiking cane, stoicly brought up the rear once more. The hike back was largely uphill, but, fortunately, by this stage, there were no more rock-faces to navigate. We reached the car-park again after about two hours of hiking. Tim had a treat planned for us. On his reconnaissance trip a few weeks back he had discovered a very good, not too expensive Malaysian restaurant. We had a late lunch at Layang Layang (which, Chitra told us, is Malay for “the kite”) situated on South De Anza Boulevarde, San Jose. Tim will be traveling for the next two months. Laurel Goff, who helped found the Hiking Yogis, two years ago, will be leading the October and November hikes.
