THE BAY AREA AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE SOCIETY
Herping Hike in JD Grant State Park


BAARS will be sponsoring a herping hike led by Tom Harrison at JD Grant State Park in the hills east of San Jose. Tom is a long-time BAARS member who has a special interest in and extensive knowlege of native Amphibians. This hike will feature a visit to 2 vernal ponds to look for amphibians, especially eggs and larvae.

Amphibians use these ponds for breeding. We can expect to find Western Toad and Pacific Tree Frog tadpoles and eggs, and eggs and larvae of California Newt and California Tiger Salamander. We will probably find other critters as well. One year, we saw a bobcat.

You can't see the critters from the shore, so come prepared to wade into shallow water. Don't forget to bring a wide aquarium net and a clear container for viewing what you catch. Of course, all animals will be returned to where they were found. We will also be looking under rocks on the way, for lizards and snakes.

There are some steep areas that we have to traverse. The hike to the first vernal pond is down a hill, but only a short distance. The second pond is about an hour hike away, with a fairly steep hill on the way. If you are not up for that, it would be best to stay at the first pond.

DATE: Sunday, March 25, 2006
TIME: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Joseph D. Grant County Park
      18405 Mt. Hamilton Rd., San Jose, CA     (off of Mt. Hamilton Rd. and Alum Rock Ave.)
WHAT TO BRING: Water and food

DIRECTIONS:
JD Grant is on Mt. Hamilton Road on the way to the Mt. Hamilton observatory.
From the East Bay : take 680 south, get off on McKee Rd and head east, then turn left on Alum Rock Ave.
From just about everywhere else : take 880, 280, or 101 to and get to 680 north, and then get off at Alum Rock Ave and go east.     Here's a map.

From Alum Rock Ave., turn right on Mt. Hamilton Road. There is a big sign that says "Mt. Hamilton". The road is narrow and winding. Drive for about 15 to 20 minutes, until you go down into a valley. The main entrance to JD Grant Park is at the low point in the valley. Drive past the entrance and continue up the hill. You will pass a yellow emergency call box, and you will be able to see a lake and a pond down the hill to the right. Keep going to where the road curves to the left, and there will be a parking area on the right side with a turn-style for hikers. That is where we will park.

Please note: it will take about 30 minutes just to get from Alum Rock Ave. to the parking area, so plan accordingly. We will meet at the parking area at 1:00, and leave on the hike at 1:15. If you are late, you will just have to catch up.

CONTACT:   Tom Harrison    tom_wb7vje@yahoo.com.


 

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