Route: Mount Umunhum (CA)

Mount Umunhum (Ohlone, meaning resting place of the hummingbird) is the fourth-highest peak in California's Santa Cruz Mountains (after Loma Prieta, Crystal Peak, and Mt. Chual). The mountain is situated in Santa Clara County, south of San Jose. Most of the mountain is within the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The mountain is topped by an eight and a half story (84.5 feet tall) concrete radar tower (5 floors interior), known locally as "the Cube" or "the Box". The tower was part of Almaden Air Force Station, a radar surveillance post which operated from 1958 to 1980. The Cube, which housed an 85.5-ton AN/FPS-24 radar, was completed in 1962 and used to watch for hostile aircraft during the Cold War. Its signal put an electronic zip into every radio, TV and sound system within its 250-mile range on every rotation. The top of Mount Umunhum had been closed off to the general public for more than 30 years! On September 18, 2017, the road, a mountain biking and hiking trail to the summit were opened. Facilities include new pavement, restrooms, interpretive displays and a small parking lot at the summit. It is a spur of the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
- Submitted by Jose Cruz