Ventana.Sierraclub.Org Hikes and Outings for Monterey/Carmel & Santa Cruz Mayy 2 to June 30, 2014 ~ Contact Leader to Reserve a Spot

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Ventana Chapter ~ Ventana.SierraClub.org Hikes and Outings for Monterey/Carmel & Santa Cruz Mayy 2 to June 30, 2014 ~ Contact leader to reserve a spot

This is a current listing of the Outings. Please refer to the website: Ventana.SierraClub.org for any additions or changes, and contact the leader for a reservation as most outings are weather dependent. Note that some may require a small fee for transportation

FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014 TUESDAY, MAY 6 MONDAY, MAY 12 AT 7:00 PM Hike: Point Lobos Senior Hike/Walk: Upper UCSC Free Book Reading: Long time Ventana news- Our 5 mile loop with minimal elevation A fairly flat walk on trails at upper USCS letter editor, Debbie Bulger is giving a reading gain takes us along tree-clad headland trails lands, off Empire Grade Rd. A shorter walk of her new book, In the Thrill of the Night with magnificent views. We will probably is available for those who choose this. Meet along with Sarah Rabkin who will read from see a variety of wildlife and maybe some before 9:30 am at Sears on 41st. Ave. To go her book, What I Learned at Bug Camp: wildflowers. Bring water & snack. Meet at the direct, take Mission to Bay Ave. Turn left at Essays on Finding a Home in the World. Rio Road Park & Ride near Bank of America top of Bay and follow road past twin gates on There will be book signings and discussion at and Starbucks in Carmel at 9:00 am. Please Empire and Chinquapin Rds to parking areas this FREE event at Center Stage, 1001 Center let me know if you are coming. Leader: Gisela on both sides of road. Park on shoulder on Street, Santa Cruz. Debbie’s book is available Nobinger, [email protected] or 393-4983. left side of road. Hike leader: Perry Brohmer, on the website: www.lostballoonpress.com. 1-650-793-3987. Walk Leader: Brooke SATURDAY, MAY 3 Ewoldsen, 475-6188. TUESDAY, MAY 13 Hike: Henry Coe/Hunting Senior Hike/Saunter: Bean Hollow Hollow Entrance SATURDAY, MAY 10 A 2 mile saunter through a blooming paradise Most people enter Henry Coe state park at the Hike: Wilder Ranch Big Loop on ocean bluffs south of Pescadero. There is visitor’s center off Dunne Avenue. Near Gilroy A 13-14 mile hike, with 1200 feet of elevation the option of a moderate 2 mile round trip Hot Springs, the Hunting Hollow entrance is gain. Starting near the bathrooms, we go climb to Wilbur’s Watch near Pigeon Point quieter and a little shorter drive. Beginning at the north through the oak hills, down to lunch before the flower walk. Meet before 9:30 am parking lot at the bottom of Hunting Hollow, at 4-mile beach, and return along the ocean at Sears on 41st Ave. or at Shen’s Gallery at we quickly ascend the steep Steer Ridge Trail to bluffs. You will get to see the great variety of Mission & King St before 9.50. Bring lunch, gain views of the area, then follow Steer Ridge ecosystems at Wilder, plus some great views. water, $4 carpool. (Some may choose to (fire) Road. We will make a short detour up to Bring plenty of water, lunch, and an extra have lunch nearby at Duarte’s in Pescadero.) Wilson Peak, then follow the road to Wilson layer in case it gets windy on the way back. Restrooms. Leaders: Janet Schwind, 425-3845 trail camp before we descend back to Hunting Meet at Wilder Ranch, in the parking lot near and Irene Lennox, 457-2690. Hollow. Moderate hike with some steep sections, the bathrooms, at 8:45 am. You can park on 1800’ gain and 7 miles. Meet at Home Depot in Highway 1 and walk in, if you don’t have a SUNDAY, MAY 18 Seaside, near the gas station on the left side, at park pass . Return around 4 pm. Please sign Hike/Walk: Limekiln State Park 8:00 am; or at the Hunting Hollow parking lot at up two weeks before the hike, on Meetup: How does a fairly short and not too strenu- 9:00 am. Bring lunch, 2-3+ liters water, and rain/ http://www.meetup.com/Santa-Cruz-Sierra- ous stroll along a beautiful creek in a gor- wind gear. Limited to 12 hikers, so please reply to Club/ . Leader: Allan Neymark, 831, 457, 2505. geous redwood canyon sound? We’ll drive [email protected] with your a long way (50+ miles south of Carmel) to name and phone number, and we will call you. SATURDAY, MAY 10 enjoy a spectacular area that was once hippie- Leaders: Carol Greenstreet & Randy May. Hike: Garland Ranch Park dippie land but now looks pristine, thanks We’ll hike up to the Mesa via foothill trails, to its present caregivers. We may opt, after SUNDAY, MAY 4 Buckeye and Waterfall, come back via Fern, enjoying this beautiful area, to stop along the Hike: Big CreekReserve/ Mesa, and Lupine Loop trails. About 4 miles way back after lunch to take in other sights Canogas Falls with modest elevation gain. Nice valley or maybe some Big Sur treats! Meet at the Rio The USCS Landess-Hill Big Creek Reserve views, wildflowers. Meet at the Park & Ride Road Park and Ride (between Starbucks and gave us a reservation to hike on their prop- on Rio Road at 9:00 am for carpooling. Please Rio Grill) at 8:45 am; we have a long way to erty. We’ll hike up to High Camp for a short call me to reserve space or if wanting to meet go! Bring lunch, water, dress in layers, and do snack, then further up and steep down 1,000’ at Garland Park. If there has been rain, the not plan a hot date at 2 pm. If doubtful about to Canogas Falls, the largest waterfalls deep trails may be muddy and there might even be Highway 1 or the state of the universe in inside the Ventana Wilderness. Back out to some water over the waterfall. Bring snack/ general, call before day of hike. Leader: Mary High Camp to get fresh water and down over lunch and water. Leader: Martha Saylor, Gale, 626-3565. the meadows with the ocean shimmering be- 372-9215. neath us. Just wonderful! Let’s hope for some flowers. A strenuous day with about 15 miles and 3,000’ elevation gain/loss. Bring a hearty lunch and water, a hat and sun protection, hiking poles and some $$ for entrance fee and carpool gas help. Call definitely for a reservation. Meet at Rio Road Park & Ride at 7:45 am. Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467. Continues on next page SUNDAY, MAY 18 WEDNESDAY, MAY 28 FRIDAY, JUNE 6 Walk: Celebrate the Hike: Toro County Park Coastal Walk: Carmel Beaches Pogonip Greenbelt This 5 mile hike with about 800 ft eleva- Walk or hike about 5 miles, mostly in sand Please join Friends of the Pogonip for a morn- tion gain takes us through a forested valley from Carmel Beach at the end of Ocean ing walk of about two hours on the Pogonip, along the Ollason trail then up to oak dotted Avenue over to Carmel River Beach to to celebrate three anniversaries (1979, 1989, grasslands. Bring water & lunch. Meet at the Monastery and back. This only works, if the 2004) of its creation and successful preven- dirt parking area outside Toro Park at 9:15 sand burm at Carmel River Beach is open. tion of unwanted development. There will am. Please let me know if you are coming. Enjoy views of Point Lobos and the ocean be songs, stories and descriptions along with Leader: Gisela Nobinger, [email protected] and surf. Wear comfortable shoes and dress the walking. Meet at the top (north end) of or 393-4983. for the weather. Bring water and a snack. Spring Street in Santa Cruz at 10:00 am. Bring Meet at 9:00 am at the parking lot at the water and a snack if you wish; we will return SATURDAY, MAY 31 bottom of Ocean Ave in Carmel. Please, let by 12:30 pm. p.s. It’s also Peter’s 100th (base 9) Hike: Garzas Creek Wildflowers me know if you are coming. Leader: Gisela birthday week. Leaders: Celia and Peter Scott, The Garzas Creek loop is always a beauti- Nobinger, [email protected] or 393-4983. 831-423-0796. ful hike. It offers a wide variety of flora and fauna and if we’re lucky, we’ll see the red SATURDAY, JUNE 7 TUESDAY, MAY 20 larkspur in bloom. It’s about a 4 mile loop Hike: Garrapata State Park Senior Hike/Walk: Garland Ranch with 800 feet elevation gain. Bring water and 4-5 mile moderate pace along the Rocky We’ll head up the waterfall trail to the Mesa lunch . Arrive early; we depart at 10:00 am Ridge trail. Hiking poles or sticks are help- Pond, with some hills and stairs, for lunch at from Rio Road Park & Ride in Carmel. Call ful in maneuvering a couple of steep spots the benches, and back down the Mesa trail. for a reservation. Leader: Lynn Bomberger, along the way. We hope for a great display of 3.5 miles. . There is an approximately 600 foot 375-7777. wildflowers. Meet at Rio Road Park and Ride gradual climb. Walkers will use the ‘dog run’, at 10 am. Bring water and lunch. Leader: Kris which is about a mile loop, and then go up SUNDAY, JUNE 1 Kissman, 521-5662. hill to the museum. Lunch near the visitor Hike: Danish Creek (Los Padres center or on the deck of the Museum. Meet at Natl. Forest) SATURDAY, JUNE 7 41st Ave. at Sears before 9:30 am or go directly We will begin our journey at Los Padres Dam Hike: Edgewood County Park to the new visitors’ center in Garland Ranch in the northern portion This is a longish drive on Hwys 17 and 280 Park about 8 miles up Carmel Valley Rd., by of Los Padres National Forest. Hiking up the into San Mateo County, for those who 10:45 am. Restrooms available. Bring lunch, Carmel River Trail about 1 1/2 miles we will may not have been there before. It is about water and $5 for car-pooling. Hike leader: turn west up the Big Pines Trail to the 3 mile wildflowers in serpentine soils again and will Beverly Meschi, 475-4185 Walk leader: Brooke mark, and then down to secluded Danish be maybe 7 miles with 1000 feet or so of eleva- Ewoldsen, 475-6188. Creek Camp for lunch. A moderate hike of tion gain. We’ll meet at the Santa Cruz Gov’t 9 miles and 1400’ of elevation gain. Expect Center at 9:30 am to carpool. Bring water and SATURDAY, MAY 24 poison oak and possible ticks. Please call for food. Call me for more information. Leader: Hike: Mt Madonna County Park meeting place and time. Leader: Larry Parrish, Nick Wyckoff, 831 462-3101. We’ll see how the wildflowers managed to 622-7455. deal with the 2013-14 climate change on SUNDAY, JUNE 8 our Central Coast. Our hike is probably 7-8 TUESDAY, JUNE 3 Hike: Forest of miles with up to 1300 feet of elevation gain. Senior Saunter: Wilder Bluffs Nisene Marks (Aptos) We’ll meet on Main St in Soquel at 9:30 am to 3 mile walk on the Old Cove Landing Trail Beat the inland summer heat with this walk carpool. Bring water and food. Call Nick for followed by lunch at the historic ranch through the redwood forests, with lunch more information. Leader: Nick Wyckoff, 831 complex. Meet before 9:30 am at Sears on 41st at the scenic Sand Point Overlook. Starting 462-3101. Ave. or at Shen’s Gallery at King & Mission St at Porter Family Picnic Area, take the Loma before 9:50. To go direct, meet group in the Prieta Grade and Big Stump Gap trails toward TUESDAY, MAY 27 parking lot for Wilder Ranch State Park one the overlook, then return via Big Slide and Senior Hike/Walk: mile north of Santa Cruz on Hwy.1. Bring Aptos Creek trails. Somewhat strenuous, Soberanes/Garrapata lunch, water, $2 carpool and share of parking about 6-7 hours for 12 miles and 2000’. On the A scenic 2 mile walk up the canyon to enjoy fees. Leader: Irene Lennox, 457-2690. way down, there is a short exposed section the wild flowers. On our return, walkers may with handrail and good tread, plus a one-step choose to lunch near the cars while the hik- WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4 scramble crossing a tree-clogged creek. Meet ers go an additional mile uphill to Whaler’s Sierra Club Outings Meeting at Home Depot in Seaside, near the gas station Point to enjoy the view and have lunch there. at Monterey Public Library on the left side, at 7:45 am or at 8:45 at the Meet before 9:30 am at Sears on 41st Ave or at 6:30 p.m. Porter Family Picnic Area (the gate at the end in Watsonville at the corner near the Green Hikes for July and August 2014 will be col- of paved Aptos Creek Road). There is $8/car Valley Theater Complex before 9:50 am. To lected. Everybody interested is welcome! parking fee in the state park. Leaders: Randy go direct, Soberanes is 7.3 miles south of Rio May & Carol Greenstreet. Limit 12 hikers, so Road in Carmel, on Hwy 1. Look for barn on please reply to CarolAndRandyHike@yahoo. left side of road and a grove of cypress trees com with your name and phone number, on the right. There is parking along the road and we will call you. on the ocean side. Primitive restroom. Dress for weather. Bring lunch, water, $5 carpool. Leader: Brooke Ewoldsen, 475-6188.

Continues on next page MONDAY, JUNE 9 SUNDAY, JUNE 15 (FATHER’S DAY) TUESDAY, JUNE 24 Hike: West Molera Walk: Little Sur River Senior Hike/Walk: Loch Lomond Meet at the Park and Ride Lot on Rio Road at This fairly easy walk along the Little Sur River (If Park is open this year. Contact leaders 9 a.m. for this moderately strenuous hike of starts from a trailhead among the redwoods nearer the date for clarification or alterna- around 8 miles with elevation gain of 1200 on the Old Coast Road, and takes us up and tive hike.) This is a beautiful hike thru the feet. We shall hike up Hidden Trail and Ridge down gentle hills above the river till we reach woods with lunch at the water’s edge at the Trail, enjoying views of Pico Blanco and Post a crossing, where we’ll reverse course. Along picnic area. Some steep hills. An alternative Summit. After lunch we descend via the the way we’ll see more redwoods and nice easier route will be available. Meet before Panorama Trail and Bluff Trail, with views of flowers, including, if we’re lucky, Clintonia 9:30 am at Sears on 41st Ave. or at Felton Faire the ocean and Point Sur. Bring lunch, water in bloom! Distance unknown, but not even near Safeway on Graham Hill Road. To go and a sweater or windbreaker as the ocean 5 miles round trip. Dress in layers, bring direct, meet at the boat launch/pay station breeze can be cold even at this time of year. lunch and water, and meet at 9:30 at the Rio in Loch Lomond Park. From there a mini- Optional: bring sandals or aqua shoes for a Road Park and Ride just off Hwy 1 near the mum number of cars will drive everyone to possible river crossing. Leaders: Cath Farrant Crossroads. Call for more information. Leader: the trail head. Bring lunch, water, $4 carpool and Mary Dainton, 372 7427. Mary Gale, 626-3565. and share of entrance fee. Hike leader: Joan Brohmer, 462-3803; Walk leader: Brooke TUESDAY, JUNE 10 TUESDAY, JUNE 17 Ewoldsen, 475-6188. Senior Hike/Walk: Senior Saunter: Pogonip Spring St Franklin Point/Costanoa A 3.5 mile mostly level walk in Pogonip. We WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 This is a 4 mile hike on trails around the will take the Spring Trail to the lime kilns Hike: Nisene Marks State Park beach and over the dunes near Costanoa and back, visiting some unique stone laby- We’ll hike 6-7 miles, 800 ft elevation gain at a Resort. A shorter walk will be available. Meet rinths along the way. A shorter walk will be moderate pace. Mostly before 9:30 am at Sears on 41st Ave or at Shen’s available with Brooke Ewoldsen. Meet before through redwoods from Porter Family Picnic Gallery at Mission & King St. at 9:50. To go 9:30 am at Sears on 41st Ave. or at the top of Area along the former railroad tracks past direct, take Hwy 1 to Costanoa and park Spring St. in Santa Cruz before 9:50. Due to Hoffman Historic Site to the Bridge Creek in lot by General Store. Restrooms. Bring parking restrictions, we will drive to nearby and return along the creek. Bring water and lunch, water, $4 carpool. Hike leader: Perry Westlake Park for lunch. NO RESTROOMS. lunch. Meet at 9:00 am at the parking lot in Brohmer, 1-650-793-3987; Walk leader: Brooke Hike leader: Janet Schwind, 425-3845; Walk front of the REI Store in Marina or about Ewoldsen, 475-6188. leader: Brooke Ewoldsen, 475-6188. 9:40 behind the Epicenter Bicycle store in Aptos. Please, let me know if you are coming. SATURDAY, JUNE 14 SATURDAY, JUNE 21 Leader: Gisela Nobinger, [email protected] Hike: Fall Creek / Lost Camp Hike: Infamous 24 Miles or 393-4983. A 10 mile hike with 1600 feet of elevation Let’s celebrate Summer Solstice with a 24 gain. The part of the trail up to Lost Camp is mile hike on all of the Pine Ridge trails in the SUNDAY, JUNE 29 steep, making the hike moderately strenu- Ventana Wilderness. Only early birds need Hike: Kirk Creek to Twitchel ous. Fall Creek is a small, beautiful park to call for this ridiculous early start. Breath (Limekiln State Park) hidden about 1/4 mile uphill from Felton, taking views guaranteed! You must be full We will start our Hike at Kirk Creek CA. We will walk through thick redwoods of stamina and endurance. At half way, you Campground and hike to Vicente Flat Camp along rushing waters, and see the old Lime must be able to pick up your second wind. with amazing vistas of the coastline well Kilns and Barrel Mill. Lunch stop at the Big First people to commit, will be on my pre- above Highway One. From Vicente Flat we Ben Tree. Bring water, and lunch. Meet at the arranged car shuttle. Callers that call after will follow the Stone Ridge Trail where we Santa Cruz Government Center at 9 a.m. to my shuttle is full will still be able to come, have a very steep decent to Twitchel Flat (an carpool, or at 9:30 at the Felton-Empire Road but you must arrange your own car shuttle. old homestead from the late 1800s) and back parking lot. Finished around 3 p.m. Please Again, we will celebrate another birthday on to our shuttle near the new ‘Rain Rock’ high- sign up two weeks before the hike, on Meet this hike. 82 years of life for our Role Model, way structure. This is a strenuous fifteen mile up: http://www.meetup.com/Santa-Cruz- Andy Cominos! I am always huffin and puf- hike. Bring lunch and at least two liters of Sierra-Club/ . Leader: Allan Neymark, 831 fin behind him! For information on time and water. Call for reservations, meeting time and 457-2505. where to meet call leader. I definitely screen place. Leader: Steve Benoit (831)394-4234. my calls, so please leave your name and num- SATURDAY, JUNE 14 ber. Leader: Esperanza Hernandez: (831)678- Hike: Asilomar-Pebble 8538 or [email protected]. Beach/Coast Loop A 4 mile loop inland of Spanish Bay and SUNDAY, JUNE 22 through Pebble Beach neighborhood, to Hike: Pico Blanco waterfall sand dunes and horse trail to beach trail. We (Los Padres Natl. Forest) then go out to Point Joe and return along Starting at the Little Sur Trailhead on the the beach boardwalk back to Asilomar Blvd. Old Coast Rd., we venture down the old Pico Beach wild flowers and wildlife to be seen. Blanco Trail to the Little Sur River. We cross Meet across from the Fishwife Restaurant the stream and then up a long ascent and on Sunset Drive and Asilomar Blvd., Pacific over the shoulder of Pico Blanco, and finally Grove at 9:00 am. Back about noon. Bring down to the Forest Service camp where snack and water. Call to reserve a space. we scoot down to a beautiful pool with a Leader: Martha Saylor, 372-9215. thunderous waterfall. 11 miles with 1400’ of elevation gain. Trail conditions may vary so sturdy hiking boots are a must. Bring plenty of water. Call for meeting time & place. Leader: Larry Parrish, 622-7455. Continues on next page ATTENTION MEMBERS! Sierra Club Ventana Chapter’s Trail Guide and Map to the Northern Los Padres Forest is available on line at REI for $14.95 plus ship- ping at the link below. All proceeds from sales go to our Conservation work: http://www.rei.com/product/616587/ trail-guide-to-the-los-padre-national-forest- northern-section-trail-map-7th-edition

The Chapter wants to thank all our Outings and Hike leaders for their years of service to the Club. Through them, our members are able to enjoy and explore our many parks and wilderness areas. In order to allow us to keep members updated on outings and hikes and attract new members, please send your email address to: chapter@ventana. sierraclub.org

All our hikes are offered FREE to the community. What better way to advocate for the natural world than to show it to you. Breath in the salty pine scented air and take in the grand landscapes, and know there is no other place like this on earth. Sign up for one or more of our hikes and we’ll show you our surrounding wilderness up close and make it personal. After you’ve enjoyed one of our hikes, please consider becoming a member and joining your 6000+ Monterey Bay neigh- bors in protecting these natural wonders for generations to enjoy.

Go to www.Ventana.SierraClub.org and join for as little at $15 a year.