I was tired of selecting a place for Sunday hike. I had no ideas. Zero. I sat on the floor surrounded by maps and notes. I walked over the lines of trails on the maps. And nothing felt like the one. Then I asked Eugene, And got his usual “Open Space.” I used to trick him when he tells it to me; he means one particular preserve. And I usually like it less than others.
When Eugene tells he wants to hike in Open Space, he means Skyline Ridge Open Space. There is a good loop trail with breathtaking views over the ridges and Saratoga Gap.
And that time I decided why not. As usually we got to the trailhead in hour and a half before the sunset. The light was still way too bright but mountains were covered with the haze from local wildfires.

There is always a good chance to see deer in this region. And so it was this time.



On the side bordering with the Russian Ridge OSP there is a pond. It’s always a good place to find fall signs even when all other places still look like Summer.

When we turned back on Sunny Jim/Butano View trails sun began to set. The haze become rose with purple notes, and cannot not to stop to watch the changes. The ground was still warm and old grass soft. I cannot resist to lay on it. While there we heard time to time very specific noise from the brushes on top of the hill.

When we just entered this meadow I saw the grey animal following us in the woods on top of the ridge. It didn’t show up. But I assumed it was a deer. We sat on the grass for five or minutes until I felt fresh wind that made me cold. We returned back to the trail and didn’t pass the trails intersection when this grey animal came out of the brush. It was a big deer with a huge antlers. Oh how he looked on us. I even started to feel fear 🙂
But as soon as we walked few more steps he went back. I think he guarded someone in the woods from us, restless hikers.

The sun moved down to the horizon and air become from rose to red. It was a spectacular view!