November 22, 2007

Santa Clara County Parks offers healthy trails for ‘nature-deficit disorder’

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Staff Writer

Does standard time have you spending more time in front of the TV? If so, try the Healthy Trails Challenge.

Hikers of Almaden Quicksilver Park are rewarded with million-dollar views. Photos by Ron Horii

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recently launched the Healthy Trails Challenge in partnership with Kaiser Permanente San Jose, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department—Nutrition and Wellness, Steps to a Healthier Santa Clara County and the Santa Clara County Parks Department [SCCP].

“Many local residents are suffering from ‘Nature-Deficit Disorder’ and sit in front of a TV or computer most the day,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage. “Healthy Trails is a chance to exercise, to feel good and to introduce children and families to the enjoyment of our regional parklands. Whether you hike, ride a horse, run or roll in a wheel chair, Healthy Trails can be your path to a fun, fit and healthy future.”

The Healthy Trails Challenge offers thousands of acres of lush mountain parks and open space in one of the most diverse recreational areas in California. From a family bike ride along Santa Clara County’s long Coyote Creek Trail to the 6.1-mile hike along the Deep Gulch/Mine Hill Trails of the historic Almaden Quicksilver County Park or an equestrian 10.5-mile ride in Upper Stevens Creek County Park to explore the wooded trails, there is something for everyone in the Healthy Trails Challenge.

The free program is offered for people of all ages and skill levels and challenges them to walk, roll, ride or run on at least five of the 21 featured SCCP trails. The trails are designated easy, moderate or strenuous depending on the fitness of the individual.

Easy trails of 1 to 2 1/2 miles are the Almaden Quicksilver, Alviso Marina, Anderson, Chitactac-Adams, Hellyer, Ed Levin, Los Gatos Creek, Mt. Madonna and Uvas Canyon. The trails are suitable for walkers, joggers, bikes, skates or rollerblades, strollers, wheelchairs, small children and dogs on leash, and will take about one to two hours to complete.

Discover the Calero Creek Trail on SCCP Healthy Trails Challenge.

Moderate trails of 2 to 5 miles are the Almaden Quicksilver, Calero, Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch, Joseph D. Grant, Mt. Madonna and Santa Teresa. These trails offer more of a challenge with common elevation gains of 200 to 1,000 feet and conditions ranging from good to rugged with an estimated two to four hours completion. Trail users should be in good physical condition and be equipped with water, an energy snack and a first-aid kit.

Strenuous trails of 5 miles or more are Calero, Joseph D. Grant, Mt. Madonna, Sanborn, Santa Teresa and Upper Stevens Creek. Considered very challenging, they have an elevation of 1,000 feet or more. These trails will have a dirt surface with some loose soil, are generally rugged and uphill. Trail users should be in very good physical condition and be equipped with water, an energy snack and a first-aid kit. They will take four to eight hours to complete.

After the selection of trails fitting your abilities and interest [hiker, bike, equestrian, etc.], registered participants have 12 months in which to complete the fitness test with a special gift to encourage their efforts. After the completion of five different trails and the trail log, participants will receive another reward.

“The Healthy Trails Challenge is an excellent way for children, adults, families and practically anyone to improve their health and fitness levels while reducing stress and enjoying the natural beauty of Santa Clara County,” said SCCP Director Lisa Killough. “I encourage the public to visit parkhere.org and sign up today.”

For more information on the Healthy Trails Challenge, visit www.parkhere.org.