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 reserva- tion. 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.