Mt. Umunhum Rd. - The descent

Mount Umunhum (Ohlone, meaning resting place of the hummingbird) is the fourth-highest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California (after Loma Prieta Peak, Crystal Peak, and Mt. Chual). The mountain is situated in Santa Clara County, southeast of Los Gatos and south of South San Jose. The peak can be recognized in the South Bay Area by the large concrete box that sits atop the summit.

The summit of Mount Umunhum is the site of the former Almaden Air Force Station, an early-warning radar station that operated from 1958 to 1980. Most of the mountain is within the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, managed by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. The summit is closed to the public due to lead and asbestos contamination of the former Air Force site, as well as access issues with local property owners.

The mountain is also the site of the Bay Area NEXRAD weather radar. The high elevation is necessary for line of sight in the region's varied terrain, but it also limits the ability to detect storms with bases lower in the atmosphere.

Sometimes referred to as "Mount Um" by locals, the mountain is a well-known landmark in the bay area.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• umunhum
• alameda radar station
• open space preserve