Ventana Chapter ~ Ventana.SierraClub.org Hikes and Outings for Monterey/Carmel June 18 to August 31, 2012
MONDAY, JUNE 18 SUNDAY, JULY 1 SATURDAY, JULY 14 Hike: West Molera Hike: Black Mountain/Toro Park Hike: Nisene Marks/Maple Falls We shall hike up Hidden Trail and Ridge This mildly strenuous hike is a 10 mile loop Great little 6 mile hike with not much eleva- trail, enjoying views of Pico Blanco and Post with an elevation gain of 2.000 ft., marvel- tion change. We’ll hike the loop through Summit. After lunch we descend via the ous vistas from the top. Bring plenty of Hoffman Camp to Bridge Creek, with a Panorama trail and Bluff trail, with views water (3-4 liters), food and sun protection. challenging 1/2 mile spur to Maple Falls and of the ocean and Point Sur. Meet at the P Wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Poles are back. Some scrambling. Shoes/boots with & R Lot on Rio Road at 9:30 a.m. for this also recommended. From the parking lot of good tread and hiking poles are helpful. moderately strenuous hike of almost 8 miles Portola Drive proceed to the Buckeye Picnic Bring lunch and water. Meet at the entrance with elevation gain of 1200 feet. Bring lunch, Area in the Park (Toiletts! Drinking Water!) to the park on Aptos Creek Road off Soquel water, and a sweater or windbreaker as the from where the hike starts at 8:00 a.m. For Drive in Aptos at 9 a.m. We’ll carpool to ocean breeze can be cold even at this time of more info and a reservation, call me. Leader: the trailhead at the Porter Family Picnic year. Optional: bring sandals or aqua shoes for Burkhard Siedhoff, 831-920-1803. area. For more information call us. Leaders: a possible river crossing. Leaders: Cath Farrant Maggie Dickson, 688-6252 or Allan Neymark, and Mary Dainton, 372 7427. SATURDAY, JULY 7 457-2505. Hike: Arroyo Seco Girl Scout Camp SATURDAY, JUNE 23 We’ll walk and swim to the old Girl Scout SUNDAY, JULY 15 Hike: Henry Coe SP swimming hole for a dip. This may be a very Morning Walk: Point Lobos Let’s start at the Coyote Hot Springs Entrance hot hike, so don’t do it if you are not heat tol- Let’s explore the new Bird Island trail, on the Spike Jones Trail. This is an uphill erant. Also bring lots of water to drink and recently upgraded to ADA standards. From walk in an oak woodlands and high mead- be prepared to walk in a rocky creek about there we’ll mosey north and see how far we ows area that can be hot this time of year. It ½ mile which at times is 6 ft deep with occa- get—maybe all the way to Ixchenta Village, will be about 7 miles with 1500 ft elevation sional blocking debris. Wear your old tennis or maybe not. Dress in layers, wear walking gain. Bring food and plenty of water. Call me shoes. Whatever you bring will get wet, so shoes, bring water and snack, and binoculars for meeting time and place or for more info. plan accordingly. It will be 6 miles and about if you have them. If you want to stay past Leader: Nick Wyckoff, 831 462-3101. 1000 ft elevation gain. Call me for meeting noon to picnic or walk more, bring lunch. time and place or for more info. Leader: Nick Meet at 9:30 at the Rio Road P & R. Leader: SUNDAY, JUNE 24 Wyckoff, 831-462-3101. Mary Gale, 626-3565. Walk: Carmel River How about an early morning walk from TUESDAY, JULY 10 MONDAY, JULY 16 Carmel River Beach toward Monastery Beach Senior Saunter: Capitola Stairs/ Hike: Buzzard Roost to Pfeiffer via the hill and back via the bluff trail. Enjoy Depot Hill Falls wild flowers, birds, views of Point Lobos and An approx. 3 mile walk takes us through We’re reviving the “Big Sur double header” listen to the surf. Approximately 3 miles. the ‘Jewel Box’ of Capitola down steps to the that was popular in the 80’s starting from Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the Esplanade with a walk through the colorful Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. First we’ll hike weather; wind breaker recommended. Bring Venetian condos and up the stairs to Depot up switchbacks through shady redwoods water and a snack. Meet at the Rio Road P& R Hill and back to the Esplanade. Meet before to Buzzards Roost overlook, about 4 miles just east of Hwy. 1 at 9 a.m. for short carpool to 9:30 a.m. at Sear’s on 41st Ave. Bring water and round trip with 700 feet elevation gain. After hike start. Call me to reserve a space. Leader: lunch or money to buy one. Leader: Denise our picnic lunch back by the Big Sur river, Martha Saylor, 372-9215. Lucy, 831-728-6552 (home) or 831-234-9559 we’ll stretch our legs again by hiking the (cell). Valley View trail up to Pfeiffer Falls, about SATURDAY, JUNE 30 2 miles and 500 feet elevation gain. Bring Hike: Mitteldorf Preserve THURSDAY, JULY 12 lunch, water and money for your share of the For this summer day I have planned a shady Hike: Jacks Peak park entrance fee which is $10 per car. Meet loop around the Mitteldorf Preserve, at a Jacks Peak offers quiet forested trails with at Rio Road P & R at 9:30 am. Leaders: Cath moderate tempo. Although, we have to start some views of Monterey, the Bay and Carmel Farrant and Mary Dainton, 372 7427. early. About 9 miles, nearly 2,000’ elevation Valley. 5-6 miles, 700 ft. elevation gain at a gain/loss. Bring enough water and food, wear moderate pace. Bring water & lunch. Meet good shoes, bring poles and still sun hat/sun before 9:45 a.m. at NW corner of Whole block. Meet at the Rancho San Carlos Gate Foods parking lot in the Del Monte Shopping at 7:30. For more info and a place, call me. Center in Monterey. Please let me know if Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467. you are coming. Leader: Gisela Nobinger, 393- 4983 [email protected].
Continues on next page TUESDAY, JULY 17 SATURDAY, JULY 28 SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 Senior Saunter: Wilder Bluffs Hike: Gazos Creek to Sandy Point Hike: Stevens Creek to Picchetti A docent led 3 mile walk on the Old Cove Fire Lookout (BBRSP) Ranch Landing Trail followed by tour of the historic We’ve done this one before, walking up a This will be a light hike on the Zinfandel ranch complex. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at Sear’s private road with permission to see a fairly Trail to a fun place with a possible peacock on 41st Ave. or at Shen’s Galley at King & inaccessible part of Big Basin SP and looping entertainer at our lunch stop. About 5-6 Mission Sts. before 9:50. To go direct, meet back on Gazos Creek Rd. It will be 6.5 miles miles and 1000 ft elevation gain. Call me group in the parking lot for Wilder Ranch and 1450 ft elevation gain. Call me for meet- for meeting time and place or for more info. State Park one mile north of Santa Cruz on ing time and place or for more info. Leader: Leader: Nick Wyckoff, 831-462-3101. Hwy. 1. Bring lunch, water, $2 carpool, plus Nick Wyckoff , 831 462-3101. share of $9 entrance fee for seniors, $10 regu- SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 lar. Leader: Janet Schwind, 425-3845. TUESDAY, JULY 31 Hike: Wilder Ranch Bluffs Senior Walk: Upper UCSC An 8 mile, fairly level hike along the Santa THURSDAY, JULY 19 A fairly flat 3 mile stroll on trails at upper Cruz Coast to 4-Mile Beach and back. Hike: Soap Plants at Jacks Peak USCS lands off Empire Grade Road. Meet be- Following the bluffs, we’ll pass the snowy Jacks Peak offers quiet forested trails with fore 9:30 a.m. at Sear’s on 41s Ave. To go direct, plovers and brussel sprouts fields, gazing spectacular views of Monterey, the Bay and take Mission to Bay Ave., turn left at top of down on the waves crashing on jutting rocks Carmel Valley. 5 miles with 700 ft. elevation Bay and follow the road. Park past twin gates and reefs below. Gulls and pelicans glide by gain. If we are lucky, we will see soap plants on Empire Grade and Chinquapin Roads on the sea breeze a few feet away. Sometimes blooming—they bloom in the late afternoon intersection. Bring lunch, water, $3 carpool. dolphins, sea lions, and surfers can be spotted and evening. If not, we’ll have a nice late day Leader: Xavier Ballard, 430-8292. out in the water. Lunch is on 4-Mile beach. walk in the woods. Bring water, dinner and a Bring water, lunch and wear layers, in case it flashlight. Arrive early; we depart at 4:00 p.m. THURSDAY, AUGUST 2 gets cold and windy. Meet at the S C County from the NW corner of Whole Foods parking Hike: Toro Park County park Government Center to carpool at 9:00 a.m., or lot in Monterey. Call for a reservation. Leader: This 5 mile hike with 800 ft elevation gain at the parking lot in Wilder Ranch State Park Lynn Bomberger, 375-7777. takes us through a forested valley along the at 9:15. Call us for more information. Leaders: Ollason trail then up to oak dotted grass- Maggie Dickson, 688-6252 or Allan Neymark, SATURDAY, JULY 21 lands and a view of the area to the West. 457-2505. Walk: Point Lobos Bring water & lunch. Meet at 9:30 am at We’ll start this 4 mile hike around beautiful the dirt parking area outside Toro Park Rio. TUESDAY, AUGUST 14 Point Lobos at the highway, walk down to Leader: Gisela Nobinger. Please let me know Senior Hike: Salvia Gardens at Whaler’s Cove, out to the Pit and back, visit if you are coming: [email protected] or Cabrillo the Whalers’ Cabin, then on to the top of 393-4983 Tour Salvia Gardens with Ernie at Cabrillo Whaler’s Knoll and return via south coast Horticultural Gardens. We’ll lunch at tables trails. There will be wild flowers to see and SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 in front of the gardens. Great views! Optional wildlife to watch. Meet at the Rio Road P & Hike: Timber Top short hike. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at Sear’s R just east of Hwy 1 at 9 a.m. There will be We hike the Timber Top Trail, also known on 41st Ave. Bring lunch, water, $1 carport. a short carpool to start of the outing. Bring as Boronda Trail. From the Trailhead (580 Leaders: Mary Stabler and Brooke Ewoldsen, snack, water, and binoculars if you like for ft) and about 30 miles south of Carmel on 475-6188. close-ups of animal life. Call leader to reserve Hwy.1, we’’ hike an impressive 2,500 ft in a space. Leader: Martha Saylor, 372-9215. about 2.5 miles to arrive at Timber Top (3,068 FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 ft) for a well deserved rest. We might see a few Bike Ride: Pacific Grove to Marina TUESDAY, JULY 24 condors. Bring lunch, plenty of water and Let’s explore on the Monterey Bay Coastal Senior Saunter: Nisene Marks sun protection. Wear long pants and sturdy Trail the links through Monterey and Sand This is an approx. 3.5 mile nature walk among shoes. Poles also are good. Meet at Rio Road City and see how they connect with the the redwoods, the largest tree in the park P & R in Carmel at 7:30 a.m. Bring some $ for Monterey / PG Rec. trail and the Fort Ord and the twisted trees. Park at the first kiosk. car pooling. Call me for a reservation. Leader: Dunes State Park. Meet at Lovers Point in Meet before 9:30 a.m. at Sear’s on 41st Ave. or Burkhard Siedhoff, 831-920-1803. Pacific Grove at 10 a.m. Please arrive with go direct. Bring lunch, water, $1 carpool and your bicycle in working condition with the share of entrance fee. Leader: Joan Brohmer, SUNDAY, AUGUST 5 OR AUGUST 12 tires properly inflated. Our route will be al- 462-3803. Hike: Pinnacles National most all on paved bike trails, with some street Monument work at the Marina end and behind Costco SATURDAY, JULY 28 This 5-mile loop on the High Peaks Trail in Sand City. Expect a relatively flat ride Hike: Tan Bark Trail to Alta Vista from the West entrance with about 1,500’ with a few short, sharp hills. Be prepared for We’ll follow the Tan Bark Trail until it elevation gain and loss offers spectacular headwinds and some congestion on the trail, intersects with the Overstrom Trail, leading views of this remarkable area. There will be especially around the Fisherman’s Wharf area to Alta Vista (2,700’), where naturalist Jeff some flowers left and perhaps condors! Bring on the return trip. Total distance is around Norman had his home, burned down now. plenty of water and lunch. Meet at 9:00 a.m. 30 miles, but we’ll take it at a leisurely pace. The ocean vistas are breath taking! On the in Monterey to carpool for the 1 hour drive to Helmets mandatory. Bring water and lunch, way back, we may visit the Tin House. This Soledad. Call for more information. Leader: DJ which we’ll eat at Locke Paddon Park in hike is strenuous! Bring plenty of water (3-4 Goehring, 277-9908. Marina. Leaders: Cath Farrant and Mary liters), food and sun protection. Wear long Dainton, 372 7427. pants and sturdy shoes. Poles also are good. Meet at Rio Road P & R in Carmel at 7:30 a.m. Bring some $ for car pooling. Call me for a reservation. Leader: Burkhard Siedhoff, Continues on next page 831-920-1803. SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 TUESDAY, AUGUST 28 Hike: Los Padres Dam/Carmel Senior Walk: Lover’s Point in River Pacific Grove Let’s start at Princes Camp up on Cachagua Approx. 4 mile round trip from Lover’s Point Road, walk to the Los Padres Dam and hike to Pt. Pinos and back. Meet before 9:30 a.m. up the Carmel River as far as we like to go, at Sear’s on 41st Ave. To go direct, take Hwy. maybe Bluff Camp for a dip. It should be 1 exit at Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf, drive shady most of the time under the trees and south and park on street by Lover’s Point. No the creek crossings are easy at this time. meters. Bring lunch, water, $5 carpool. Leader: About 7 miles, some elevation, at a moderate Pat Herzog, 458-9841. tempo. Bring lunch and lots of water. Meet at Mid Valley Shopping Center in Carmel Valley THURSDAY, AUGUST 30 at 8 a.m. Park opposite of the Chase Bank. Walk: Asilomar Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467. Our 4 mile loop with minimal elevation gain takes us along the old railroad trail, SUNDAY, AUGUST 19 then out to the coast and back along Point Walk: Soberanes Coast and/or Pinos and Asilomar Beach. If we still feel Canyon like more walking, we will head out to Bird We’ll walk up the canyon to admire the Rock. Bring water and a snack. Meet at the redwoods, and then decide whether to have Fish Wife Restaurant near Asilomar at 9:30 lunch by the creek, or to mosey back down a.m. We should be back before lunch. Please and across to the bluffs or up Whale Peak let me know if you are coming. Leader: Gisela for lunch with an ocean view. Fog, wind, and Nobinger, 393-4983 or
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 Hike: Garzas Creek Our 4 mile loop with 800 ft. elevation gain takes us through a redwood canyon and along Garzas Creek with six picturesque crossings. Stops to enjoy flora & fauna. Bring water and lunch. Arrive early; we depart at 10:00 a.m. from Rio Road P & R in Carmel. Call for a reservation. Leader: Lynn Bomberger, 375-7777.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 Walk: Asilomar-Pebble Beach 4 mile loop, starting on neighborhood streets and then thru dunes, out to Point Joe and back along the beach boardwalk. Beach wild flowers, possible wildlife to be seen. Meet across from the Fishwife Restaurant on Sunset Drive and Asilomar Blvd., Pacific Grove at 9:00 a.m. Back about noon, bring snack and water. Call me to reserve a space. Leader: Martha Saylor, 372-9215.