Website Definitions and Explanations

Difficulty Level

Difficulty Level is determined by the trail distance,the amount of climbing and the steepness on a Featured Trail. The Level is calculated as follows: add the distance plus 0.2 for each 100 feet of climbing. A steepness value is then added to the total. The value used for steepness is determined by using the difference between the maximum and minimum elevation and the one-way distance to the peak. This crudely uses the average for the slope. For example, if the total distance is four-miles, and there are two passes each with 500 feet of climbing: The Difficulty Level is found to be 4+2+0.6=6.6. Then to make the Level even more crude we round the value. Admittedly this is a crude way of developing a Difficulty Level; but, to establish a more accurate value is overly complex for this website's purpose. SVT has found this analysis to be a useful value for those using the trails in Silicon Valley. Got a better approach... that doesn't require a lot of time to develop. Let us know.

Another example might be helpful. Mission Peak in Fremont: The one-way distance is 3.0 miles, (round trip distance is 6.0) and there is 2,200 feet of climbing. This results in 6.0 for distance, 4.2 for climbing and 0.8 for steepness totalling 11.0.

Featured Trail

One of the most important values of the SVT website is the Featured Trail and the Notes associated with the trail. Featured Trails are listed in the various summaries for Dogs, Bikes, Horses or in general any trail report.

After walking a trail, a Featured Trail map is created and added to the website. The Featured Trail is shown in the color red. This is indicated on the Feature Trail legend along with other legend information.

Along with each SCT map, there is an important note. For clarity in understanding the Featured Trail map, sometimes connecting trails have been left out.

"Important Note: Be sure to get a "Park Map" from the above menu. The trail map featured below is incomplete; it does not include all trail crossings. Milage and elevation shown below is an approximation. Also, check "Park Website" for the latest trail updates."