Ventana Chapter ~ Ventana.SierraClub.org Hikes and Outings for Monterey/Carmel & Santa Cruz

April 20 through June 29, 2013 ~ Reservations Recommended

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 20 TUESDAY, APRIL 23 TUESDAY, APRIL 30 Hike: Big Creek/Canoga’s Falls Senior Saunter: Sunset Beach Senior Hike: Toro County Park The UCSC Landless-Hill Big Creek Reserve We’ll walk both the bluffs and the beach. We’ll hike the Ollason Trail and hopefully see gave us a reservation to hike up to the High Moderate 4 miles without steep hills. Dress great flowers. 3 miles with one uphill section. Camp where we will have our lunch break. for weather. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at Sear’s on Meet before 9:30 a.m. at Sear’s on 41st Ave. or at From here, just with water and a snack, 41st Ave. or at Sunset Beach kiosk parking Toro Park at the next to last parking lot near we’ll hike down 1,000’ to the Canoga’s Falls, lot at 9:50 a.m. .Bring water, lunch, $2 carpool restrooms. Toro Park is off Hwy. 68 between the largest waterfalls deep in the Ventana and share of parking fee. Restrooms. Leader: Monterey and Salinas. Bring lunch, water, $5 Wilderness. Back up to High Camp to get Joan Brohmer, 465-3803. carpool. Leader: Bev Mesachie, 475-4185. fresh water and then down over the mead- ows with the ocean shimmering beneath us. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24 TUESDAY, APRIL 30 Just wonderful! A strenuous day with about Morning Walk near Monterey Fracking Workshop in Monterey 14 miles and 3’000 feet elevation gain/loss. We’ll walk for 4-6 miles, easy pace. Meet at 9:15 The California Department of Oil, Gas Bring a hearty lunch and lots of water, hik- a.m., return between noon and 1 p.m. Bring and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) will ing poles and a hat; also some $$ for entrance water and a snack. E-mail or phone for loca- conduct a workshop on regulations for the fee and carpool gas help. Call for a reservation. tion. Leader: Gisela Nobinger, (831) 393-4983 oil and natural gas production technique Meet at Rio Road Park & Ride in Carmel at or . known as hydraulic fracturing or fracking 7:30. Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467. on Tuesday, April 30. The meeting is free and THURSDAY, APRIL 25 open to the public and will be held from SATURDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 20 – 21 Hike: Point Lobos noon to 8 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, Backpack: San Carpoforo Camp/ Point Lobos at peak wildflower season…wow!! 1000 Aguajito Road, Monterey. Sierra Club is Silver Peak Wilderness Besides numerous wildflowers, we will enjoy currently suing DOGGR in order to block We will start walking from the old Salmon magnificent views, a variety of wildlife and approval of new oil and gas wells because Creek Fire Station and hike through the a walk through a quiet Monterey pine forest. regulators have inadequately analyzed risks Silver Peak Wilderness to San Carpoforo 4 miles with minimal elevation gain. Bring of fracking. The Club seeks to force the State Camp (about seven miles.) This area is rich water & lunch. Arrive early; we depart at 9:30 to conduct more environmental review as with history; Gaspar Portola walked through a.m. sharp from Park & Ride on Rio Road in required by CEQA before permitting frack- here in 1770 and may have camped near San Carmel. Call for a reservation. Leader: Lynn ing. The actual “discussion draft regulations” Carpoforo Camp on his journey north from Bomberger, 375-7777. and other material for the workshop can San Diego. On Sunday, we will hike about be found on the Department’s home page, eight miles out to our cars on Highway one SATURDAY, APRIL 27 http://www.conservation.ca.gov/Index/ at Ragged Point. This is a strenuous sixteen Hike: Fort Ord National Pages/Index.aspx. mile hike with a very steep climb from San Monument Carpoforo Camp. Contact me to sign up and Fort Ord is a good place to scout for wild- WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 receive details of meeting location. This trip flowers in April. We will do about 6-8 miles Hike: Toro County Park is limited to twelve participants. Leader: Steve with maybe 800-1000 feet of elevation gain. 5 - 6 miles, 800 ft elevation gain, moderate Benoit, 831-394-4234 Call me in the week before for the meeting pace. Hike along the Ollason trail to the view time and place and more information. Leader: under the oak trees for lunch. We will return SUNDAY, APRIL 21 Nick Wyckoff, (831) 462-3101. the same way or along the Meyer trail. Let’s Hike: Garzas Creek hope for wildflowers. Bring water & lunch. The Terrace Trail at Garland Ranch has SUNDAY, APRIL 28 Meet at the dirt parking area outside Toro fabulous flowers every spring. After a nicely Hike: Mal Paso to Rocky Ridge Park before 9:30 am. Leader: Gisela Nobinger. contoured walk on a narrow trail above the We’ll meander up a private road above Mal Please, let me know if you are coming: creek, we drop steeply down to the creek, Paso Creek, eventually crossing the Creek, [email protected] or 393-4983 walk gently down the stream, and finally and then up a steep ridgeback, and finally take a steep but short climb back out. Our through some redwood groves to the Rocky slow pace makes this hike easy for some, Ridge Trail. We’ll end our circuit near moderate for others. Bring lunch, water, good Soberness Creek. A beautiful, strenuous, footgear, and a stick for steadying on steep rugged 5-6 miles with 1000’ of elevation gain. hills. Meet at the Garland Ranch parking lot Bring lunch, water, and good hiking boots. on C.V. Road at 9:30 to get organized; hike Call early for reservations, meeting time and will start from the trailhead at 10 a.m. Call for place. Leader : Larry Parrish, 622-7455. more info. Leader: Mary Gale, 626-3565. Continues on next page THURSDAY, MAY 2 SATURDAY, MAY 11 SUNDAY, MAY 19 Hike: Nisene Marks History Walk Hike: Palo Corona Monterey Hike: Fort Ord National Monument Join Lou Rose, historian enthusiast, for a Peninsula Regional Park Let’s explore some of the eastern trails of Fort History Walk in the Forest of Nisene Marks. Finally some new trails in walking distance Ord. Wildflowers may still be in bloom and if We will visit logging and railroading of from Carmel! We’ll go first up to Inspiration we’re lucky, maybe we’ll catch sight of some of 1883-1923 and the alleged epicenter of the Point for a snack at the picnic table with the abundant wildlife on these public lands. 1989 quake. There will be many stops along a wonderful panorama view. Then on to Expect 6-8 miles with ample elevation gain. the way to see historic relics, Lou’s historic Gregg’s Hill via the Vista Lobos trail. We Bring water, lunch, etc. Call for meeting time photos and hear anecdotes. Lou has given may also walk further to the Frog Pond. and place. Leader: Larry Parrish, 622-7455 history walks as fund raisers for the Aptos Then down the same way. But wait, there History Museum and has taken many are several beautiful loop trails with many SUNDAY, MAY 19 groups from the Seacliff Visitors Center on benches to relax and enjoy the sights over to Walk: Little Sur River similar walks—we’re lucky, our walk will be the Carmel River State Beach and the ocean. This fairly easy walk along the Little Sur free. Approximately 4.5 miles and 5 hours A moderate hike of about 6 miles and 1000’ River starts from a trailhead on the Old Coast with minimal elevation gain. Bring water elevation gain/loss. Bring lunch and water. Road, and takes us up and down gentle hills & lunch. Arrive early; we depart at 8:40am Meet at P & R on Rio Road in Carmel at 9 a.m. above the river till we reach a crossing, where from the far end of the parking lot in front Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467. we’ll reverse course. Distance unknown, but of REI in Marina or depart from the parking not even 5 miles round trip. Dress in layers, lot behind Aptos Station at 9:30. Call Sierra SATURDAY, MAY 11 bring lunch and water, and meet at 9:30 at Club Outings Leader Lynn Bomberger for a Hike: Pescadero Creek County the Rio Road Park and Ride just off Hwy reservation at 375-7777. Park, Tarwater Creek 1 near the Crossroads. More information: I’m trying something different by combining Leader Mary Gale, 626-3565. SATURDAY, MAY 4 Sierra Clubbers with Sempervirens Meetup Walk: Mission Trail, Carmel participants, probably from the Bay Area. It TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013 3 +- mile walk up Mission Trail Park then will be a little shorter than the last SC outing Senior Hike: Roaring Camp/Cowell onto city streets for a loop back. We will stop here at 5-6 miles and 1100 ft uphill to ac- We’ll walk from railroad cars thru Roaring by the Flanders Mansion and the adjacent na- commodate the diversity. Call Nick for more Camp to trails and climb to top of Bear Mt. tive plant garden. Some elevation gain, rain info, and meet time and place. Leader: Nick where we’ll have lunch. Moderate 3 mile with will cancel. Meet on Rio Road across from the Wyckoff (831) 462-3101 some uphill. Meet before 9:30 AM at Sear’s on Carmel Mission at 9 am. Please call the leader, 41st Ave. To go direct, take Graham Hill Rd. to Martha Saylor to reserve a place, 372-9215. TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013 Roaring Camp, drive slightly pass the camp Bean Hollow: Senior Saunter entrance and park on Roaring Camp Drive on SUNDAY, MAY 5 A 2 mile plus saunter through a blooming your right. Restrooms. Bring lunch, water, $3 Hike: Bottcher’s Gap to paradise on ocean bluffs south of Pescadero. carpool. Leader: Perry Brohmer 1-650-793-3987 Apple Tree Camp See harbor seal pups!. An additional 2 mile Starting at Bottcher’s Gap trailhead, we’ll walk near Pigeon Point optional. Meet before SATURDAY, MAY 25 hike up through oak and madrone forest to 9:30 AM at Sear’s on 41st Ave. or at Shen’s Hike: Tan Bark Trail, Overstrom the top of Skinner Ridge, then down to our Gallery at Mission & King Sts. Bring lunch, Trail to Alta Vista. Return via lunch spot at Apple Tree Camp. Expect steep, water, $4 carpool. Restrooms. Leader: Janet Waters and Ewoldsen Trails to rugged trails with views out to the coast and Schwind 425-3845 Hwy. #1. into the interior of the Ventana Wilderness. Alta Vista (2,000’) is the place where the At 7 miles and around 1600 feet of elevation WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 home of the naturalist Jeff Norman once gain, this hike is fairly strenuous, but we’ll Hike: Jacks Peak stood before it burned down during the Big take it at a leisurely pace. Bring lunch, lots of 5-6 miles, with about 700 ft. elevation Basin Fire. The ocean vistas are breath taking! water, and protection from insects and poi- gain, moderate pace. Jacks Peak offers quiet This is a strenuous hike (ca. 8 miles)! Bring son oak. Meet at Rio Road Park and Ride at forested trails with some views of Monterey plenty of water (2-3 liters), food and sun 9am. Leaders Cath Farrant and Mary Dainton and the Bay. Bring water & lunch. Meet at protection. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes. 372 7427. NW corner of Whole Foods parking lot in Tracking poles can be helpful. We meet at Monterey at 9:45 a.m. Leader: Gisela Nobinger. Rio Road P & R in Carmel at 7:30 am. This is a WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 Please, let me know if you are coming: point to point hike. A car shuttle is necessary! Hike: Point Lobos [email protected] or 393-4983 Bring some $ for car pooling. For reservation About 5 miles, minimal elevation gain, mod- call Burkhard Siedhoff, 831-920-1803 erate pace. Great ocean views, hopefully wild- SATURDAY, MAY 18 flowers. Bring water & lunch. Meet at the Rio Hike: Nisene Marks TUESDAY, MAY 28 Road ‘Park & Ride’ near the Bank of America Five Finger Falls Senior Hike: Soberanes/Garrapata at Carmel Crossroads at 9:15 am. Leader: Gisela See the redwood forest, many varieties of ferns, Scenic 3 mile walks with lunch on cliff area. Nobinger. Please, let me know if you are com- and a tall, skinny waterfall on this 10-mile Meet before 9:30 AM at Sear’s on 41st Ave or at ing: [email protected] or 393-4983 hike, with 600 feet of elevation gain. We will Orchard Supply parking lot in Watsonville at hike along Aptos Creek to Five Finger Falls for 9:50 AM. To go direct, Soberanes is on Hwy. 1, lunch. Return is the same way. Moderate pace. 7.3 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel. Look Bring lunch and water. Entry fee or Park Pass for barn on left side of road and a grove of cy- is needed. Meet at the Aptos Village dirt lot, press trees on the right. There is parking along near Epicenter Cycling, at 9:00 am to carpool. the road on the ocean side. Primitive restroom. Back before 4:00 pm. Call for more informa- Dress for weather. Bring lunch, water, $5 car- tion. Leaders: Allan Neymark, (831) 457-2505 pool. Leader: Brooke Ewoldsen 475-6188 and Maggie Dickson, (831) 688-6252. Continues on next page

TUESDAY, MAY 28 TUESDAY, JUNE 11 SATURDAY, JUNE 15 Hike: Maple Falls Senior Hike: Costanoa Hike: Pogonip to Wilder Ranch This 7 mile Nisene Marks hike with 700 ft. This is a 4 mile hike on trails at Costanoa Journey from the forest to the coast on this elevation gain takes us through a lovely for- Resort. Some steep hills. Hike may vary at 8-mile hike, with 1000 feet of elevation gain. est along beautiful creeks and eventually to leader’s discretion but location is the same. Starting at Pogonip, we climb past UCSC, serene Maple Falls. Some agility is required. Meet before 9:30 AM at Sear’s on 41st Ave or at cross Empire Grade, and descend the Wilder Stops to enjoy flora & fauna. Bring water & Shen’s Gallery at Mission & King Sts. at 9:50 Ranch hills to the coast. This is a shuttle lunch. Arrive early; we depart at 8:40am from AM. To go direct, take Hwy 1 to Costanoa and hike. You will need to make a reservation, the far end of the parking lot in front of REI park in lot by General Store. Restrooms. Bring by Friday June 14 at 8 pm, to be included. in Marina or depart from the parking lot be- lunch, water, $4 carpool. Leader: Pat Herzog This is so we can plan the driving arrange- hind Aptos Station at 9:30. Call for a reserva- 458-9841 ments. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the tion. Leader: Lynn Bomberger, 375-7777. Santa Cruz Government Center at 9:00 am SATURDAY, JUNE 8 to carpool. Back before 3:30 pm. Call to make WEDNESDAY, MAY 29 Hike: East Molera Trail to Post your reservation, and for more information. Sierra Club Hike Leader’s Meeting, 6:30 Summit, Leaders: Allan Neymark, (831) 457-2505 and pm for write-ups for July and August 2013 Strenuous, ca. 7 miles, 3456 ft. elevation, stun- Maggie Dickson, (831) 688-6252. Monterey Library ning views. The trail is exposed and steep, it boasts a 20-30 percent grade in stretches. TUESDAY, JUNE 18 SATURDAY, JUNE 1 The summit has a 360-degree view with the Senior Hike: Loch Lomond Hike: Mt. Madonna County Park ocean just below and Mount Manuel and This is a beautiful hike thru the woods with It is time for mariposa lilies in this park. Some Pico Blanco a few miles away. Bring plenty of lunch at the water’s edge at the picnic area. of us wonder if the lack of rain matters. The water, food and sun protection and an extra Some steep hills. Meet before 9:30 AM at Sear’s distance is about 8-9 miles with about 1300 jacket. Wear long pants, and sturdy shoes. on 41st Ave. or at Felton Faire near Safeway feet of elevation gain, starting from the Sprig Tracking poles are helpful! Bring some $ for on Graham Hill Road. To go direct, meet at Lake trailhead for those who don’t carpool car pooling. For reservation call Burkhard the boat launch/pay station in Loch Lomond from Santa Cruz. Call Nick for meet time and Siedhoff, 831-920-1803 Park. Minimum cars will drive everyone to place, or questions. Leader: Nick Wyckoff the trail head. Bring lunch, water, $4 carpool (831) 462-3101 SUNDAY, JUNE 9 and share of entrance fee. Leader: Joan Hike: Kahn Ranch Brohmer 462-3803 SUNDAY, JUNE 2 For those who haven’t visited this portion Walk: Carmel River Beach of Garland Park, this will be worth the ef- WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19 How about an early morning walk from fort. Exploring the outer limits of the little Walk: Asilomar to Carmel River Beach toward Monastery Beach jewel that is Kahn Ranch, we will encounter Bird Rock and back. via the hill and back via the bluff trail. Enjoy some small waterfalls, abundant wildflow- 5 miles out and back total, flat, moderate wild flowers, birds, views of Point Lobos and ers (hopefully still), and elevated views of pace. We will along Spanish Bay and the listen to the surf. Approximately 3 miles. the Carmel River. Also expect some poison coast to Bird Rock and return the same way Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the oak and possible ticks. 8 miles with 2500’ of and have great ocean views. Bring Water weather; wind breaker recommended. Bring sometimes steep elevation gain/loss. Limit of and a snack. Meet across from the Fish Wife water and a snack. Meet at 10 am in the park- 20 hikers. Call for a reservation. Leader: Larry restaurant at 9:15 am. Leader: Gisela Nobinger. ing lot at Carmel River Beach at the lagoon Parrish 622-7455 Please, let me know if you are coming: (south end of Carmelo in Carmel.) Call leader [email protected] or 393-4983. to reserve a space and for meeting time. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12 Leader: Martha Saylor, 372-9215. Hike: Nisene Marks State Park SATURDAY, JUNE 22 5-6 miles, about 700 ft. elevation gain, moder- Hike: Arroyo Seco Girl Scout Camp TUESDAY, JUNE 4 ate pace. Hike from Porter Family Picnic For those who have not done this walk Senior Hike: Wilder Bluffs Area along the former railroad tracks past before, it is a sort of short (5-6 mile + 1000 Docent led 3 mile walk on the Old Cove Hoffman Historic Site to the Bridge Creek vertical ft), but extremely hot (100+ degrees) Landing Trail followed by a tour of the and return along the creek. Bring water & experience, and requires some swimming historic ranch complex. Meet before 9:30 lunch. Meet before 9:15 am at the parking upstream in a creek over six ft deep. If you’re am at Sear’s on 41st Ave. or at Shen’s Gallery lot in front of the REI Store in Marina or at not a swimmer or are not heat tolerant, at King & Mission Sts. Before 9:50 AM. To 10:15 at Porter parking area. Leader: Gisela this one is not a good idea for you. If you do go direct, meet group in the parking lot for Nobinger. Please, let me know if you are com- come, bring 2 qts of water, sunscreen, a hat, a Wilder Ranch State Park one mile north of ing: [email protected] or 393-4983. waterproof bag for anything like your lunch Santa Cruz on Hwy. 1. Bring lunch, water, $2 that you don’t want to get soaked, maybe a carpool and share of parking fees. Leader: THURSDAY, JUNE 13 flotation device if you think that you might Janet Schwind 425-3845 Hike: Evening Soap Plant Quest need it and footwear for walking and swim- This 7 mile hike with 600 ft. elevation gain in ming upstream. It is also a very long drive Toro Park takes us through a forested valley down there. Call Nick for more info, and along the Ollason trail then up to oak dotted meet time and place. Leader: Nick Wyckoff grasslands. If we are lucky, we will see soap (831) 462-3101 plants blooming—they bloom in the late after- noon and evening. If not, we’ll have a nice late day walk in the woods. Bring water & dinner. Arrive early; we depart at 4:00pm from the dirt parking area outside Toro Park. Call for a reser- vation Leader: Lynn Bomberger, 375-7777. Continues on next page

SUNDAY, JUNE 23 SATURDAY, JUNE 29 Big Sur State Parks Mosey Hike: Fort Ord Dunes What is so rare as a day in June in Big Sur? An easy hike through the Dunes and along With so many parks to choose from, we’ll the ocean, about 4 miles. We’ll go first to the take a poll to see where we end up. Waterfall new parking lot and the look out where in at Pfeiffer? River meandering at Pfeiffer and/ former times the Military clubhouse was. You or Molera? Ocean bluffing and beaching at remember, it had been taken down before it Garrapata? Or all three? Dress in layers, bring would fall into the ocean. We might find a lunch/snack and water, and meet at 9:30 at few blooming sand flowers and will watch the Rio Road Park and Ride just off Hwy birds and high waves. Bring water and a 1 near the Crossroads. More information: sandwich, hiking sticks, binoculars and wear Leader Mary Gale, 626-3565 layers; it may be windy from the ocean. Meet in Seaside at Home Depot near the gas station SUNDAY, JUNE 23 at 10 a.m. Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467. Hike: Big Basin to the Sea Celebration Our dear Big Basin bus will be running again! So please join us to celebrate, with this marvelous all-day car-free hike from the ATTENTION MEMBERS! Big Basin Park Headquarters to the mouth Sierra Club Ventana Chapter’s Trail Guide of Waddell Creek on Highway 1. Meet at the and Map to the Northern Los Padres Forest Santa Cruz Metro Center in time to board the is available on line at REI for $14.95 plus #35A bus, which will leave promptly at 8:30 shipping at the link below. All proceeds from am. We should be back at the Metro Center sales go to our Conservation work: by around 6:00 pm, after returning down http://www.rei.com/product/616587/ the coast on the #40 bus. The hike is about 13 trail-guide-to-the-los-padre-national-forest- miles, but moderate and relaxing, with ample northern-section-trail-map-7th-edition time for photos and lunch. It will be limited to 20 people, so please call Peter Scott (leader) at 423-0796 to reserve a place and to confirm the starting and ending times, or to ask ques- The Chapter wants to thank all our tions. No cars. Cars are useless for this hike. Outings and Hike leaders for their years of service to the Club. Through them, our MONDAY JUNE 24 members are able to enjoy and explore our Hike: Tanbark Trail many parks and wilderness areas. In order to the Tin House to allow us to keep members updated on The Tanbark Trail packs a lot of scenery in a outings and hikes and attract new members, fairly short length. From its start off Highway please send your email address to: chapter@ One south of Big Sur, the trail winds up the ventana.sierraclub.org south side of Partington Canyon, past a rush- ing creek and through a redwood grove, up All our hikes are offered FREE to the through forests of tanbark oak, until it reach- community. What better way to advocate es the site of the ruined “Tin House.” Here for the natural world than to show it to you. we’ll have lunch and enjoy the ocean views, Breath in the salty pine scented air and take before returning via a disused dirt road. We’ll in the grand landscapes, and know there is arrange a car shuttle to save walking the last no other place like this on earth. Sign up mile on Highway One. Distance is about 6 for one or more of our hikes and we’ll show miles with elevation gain of about 2000 feet, you our surrounding wilderness up close so it’s moderately strenuous, but we’ll hike at and make it personal. After you’ve enjoyed a leisurely pace. Meet at the Park and Ride on one of our hikes, please consider becoming a Rio Road at 9.30am for carpooling. Leaders: member and joining your 6000+ Monterey Cath Farrant and Mary Dainton, 372 7427. Bay neighbors in protecting these natural wonders for generations to enjoy. Go to www. TUESDAY, JUNE 25 Ventana.SierraClub.org and join for as little at Senior Hike: Manzanita $15 a year. This is a moderate hilly 3.25 hike in North Monterey County. See ocean and Fremont Peak on a clear day. Lunch at picnic tables in park. Meet before 9:30 AM at Sear’s on 41st Ave or at Manzanita Park. Call leader for directions. Restrooms. Bring lunch, water, $4 carpool. Leader: Bev Meschi 475-4185