Ventana Chapter Hikes and Outings for Monterey/Carmel and Santa Cruz,
November and December 2018
(Please contact leader to reserve a space)

Thursday, November 1
Hike: Sandstone Ridge, Fort Ord
Our 6-7-mile loop takes us along Crescent Bluff and up to trail 22 and Sandstone Ridge in a less-used area of Fort Ord with splendid views overlooking the area. We climb about 700 feet total, some on steep and rutted sections of trail. Bring water and lunch. Sturdy boots and hiking poles are also recommended. Meet at the corner of East Garrison Dr./Rd. and Watkins Gate Rd. in the East Garrison development off Reservation Rd. Parking available on street. Arrive before our 9:30 am departure time. Please RSVP. Leader: Dorothy Denning,

Saturday, November 3
Hike: Sunol Regional Wilderness Maguire Peaks
This is a moderately paced ten mile /nearly 2000 ft elevation day hike in Sunol Regional Wilderness. Meet at 9:30 am in front of Visitors Center (Green Barn). For full hike details including carpools please register at https://www.meetup.com/Santa-Cruz-Sierra-Club/events. Hike will be listed there 2-3 weeks prior to the event. Leader: Steve Bakaley, or 831-612-6575.

Saturday, November 3
Hike: Garland Ranch Park
We'll hike up to the Mesa via foothill trails, Buckeye and Waterfall, 4-5 mile. Come back via Fern, Mesa, and Lupine Loop trails. Nice valley views, some uphill steps. Meet at the Park & Ride on Rio Rd at 9:30 am for carpooling. Please call leader to reserve space and for meeting time, or if wanting to meet at Garland Park. Bring snack/lunch and water. Rain cancels. Leader: Martha Saylor, 372-9215.

Saturday, November 3
Hike: Waddell Beach, Berry CK Falls Henry Ck Crossover Loop
Statistically: 15.9 miles round trip; Max altitude of 943'; cumulative elevation gain/loss: 2265' up/2215' down. Most of the elevation gain is in the Berry Creek and an unnamed (not on maps) traverse trail, while the Henry Creek trail is predominately downhill. The rest of the hike is on the beautiful and relatively flat Waddell Creek road that we all are familiar with. Time wise, figure on about 6 hours moving and 45 minutes stopped. Bring lunch, snacks, and enough water for almost 7 hours. There are 3 creek crossings. Barring early rains, two should be on temp seasonal bridging, and the third is around 30 feet across in shallow water. Water shoes may be nice at these points. Meet at Waddell Beach parking area by 9:00 am. Please RSVP by text at (831) 320-4561. Leader: Steve Jackson.

Sunday, November 4
Hike: Garland Ranch
4-5 mile hike. Hike up to the Mesa via foothill trails, Buckeye and Waterfall, come back via Fern, Mesa, and Lupine Loop trails. Nice valley views, some uphill steps. Meet at the Park & Ride on Rio Rd at 9:30 am, for carpooling. Please call leader to reserve space and for meeting time, or if wanting to meet at Garland Park. Bring snack/lunch and water. Rain cancels. Leader: Martha Saylor, 372-9215.

Tuesday, November 6
Senior Saunter: Natural Bridges
Four mile roundtrip walk from Lighthouse Field to Natural Bridges. A shorter walk will be available. Meet before 9:30 am at Sears on 41st Ave. or by 9.50 in the parking lot on West Cliff, just left of the restrooms. Bring water, lunch, $2 carpool. Lunch at Natural Bridges. Leader: Jean Harrison, 831-425-5447.

Thursday, November 8
Hike: Del Monte Forest
Our ~6 mile loop with about 500 feet elevation gain at a moderate pace takes us along quiet forested trails that are even pretty in fog. Bring water and lunch. Meet at the parking area along highway 68 at the Haul Road between Skyline Forest and Forest Hill at 9:30 am. Heavy rain cancels. Please RSVP. Leader: Gisela Nobinger, .

Saturday, November 10
Hike: Mission Peak from Ohlone College
This is a moderately paced nine mile/2500 ft elevation gain day hike in Mission Peak Regional Preserve in Fremont. Meet at 9:30 am at the Mission Peak trail head adjacent to the parking structure. $4 parking fee. For full hike details including carpools please register at https://www.meetup.com/Santa-Cruz-Sierra-Club/events. Hike will be listed there 2-3 weeks prior to the event. Leader: Steve Bakaley, or 831-612-6575.

Saturday, November 10
Hike: Mount Madonna County Park
This beautiful more than 3000 acre park has several different landscapes from redwood forest to oak woodland, chaparral and grassy meadows. We'll walk about 8 miles with 1300 feet of elevation gain. Bring food and water. Meet at Home Depot in Seaside at 9 am or on Main Street in Soquel when coming from Santa Cruz at 9:30 am to carpool. Call for more info. Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467.

Sunday, November 11
Walk: Toro Regional Park
The cooler months are a good time to enjoy Toro Park's inland trails. We'll take an easy pace on the hills and enjoy the meadows and oak woodlands for 4-5 miles or so. Dress in layers, bring water and snack or lunch, and plan on 2-3 hours. For meeting time/place, call or if you get a disconnect message, leave message at 747-4072 and I'll call you back. Leader: Mary Gale, 626-3565.

Sunday, November 11
Hike: Hitchcock Canyon the hard way
Because of access restrictions, the Kahn Ranch addition of Garland Park is only lightly visited. We begin at the Garzas trailhead and take the Saddle, Gabilan, Vasquez and Cougar Ridge (down) trails to Kahn Ranch. Then we climb the Hitchcock Loop trail and descend the Manzanita trail back to the ranch and return via Cougar Ridge (up) to visit Vazquez saddle and finally descend the East Ridge and Veeder trails. Rather strenuous 7-8 hour hike of 12 miles and 4200' elevation gain. Meet at Garzas trailhead and be ready to start hiking at 8:00 AM PST. Take Carmel Valley Road 1.6 miles past the Garland main parking lot, turn right on Boronda, then at T-junction turn left on W. Garzas Road and drive about 300 yards. Bring lunch, 3 liters water, rain/wind gear and headlamp. Heavy rain cancels. Limit 12 hikers, so please reply to with your name and phone number, and I will call you. Leader: Randy May.

Tuesday, November 13
Senior Hike: Cowell Observation Deck
Hikers will have a 4 mile hike over the rolling hills of the Henry Cowell campground area to the observation deck to enjoy its commanding views. A shorter walk, about 2+ miles, will also be available. Meet before 9:30 am at Sears on 41st Ave. To go direct, meet near the amphitheater, by 9.50 iinside the campgrounds entrance of Henry Cowell State Park, on Graham Hill Rd. Bring snack, lunch, water, $3 carpool. Carpooling recommended. Leaders: Perry Brohmer, 650-793-3987; Brooke Ewoldsen, 831-475-6188.

Thursday, November 15
Hike: Lookout Ridge Fort Ord
Our 10-mile loop takes us up to and along Lookout Ridge for magnificent views of the area. We climb about 1500 feet total. Bring water and lunch. Hiking poles are also useful for steep sections of trails. Meet in the paved parking lot at the Badger Hills Trailhead off Hwy 68 across from the Toro Café. Arrive before our 9:30 am departure time. Please RSVP. Leader: Dorothy Denning,

Tuesday, November 20
Senior Saunter: Asilomar South
Easy 3+ mile walk from Asilomar to Point Joe and return along sandy paths and beach boardwalk. A shorter walk will be available. Lunch at tables just south of Point Joe or at Asilomar. Meet before 9:30 am at Sears on 41st Ave. To go direct, meet before 10:40 at Fishwife Restaurant & Asilomar in Pacific Grove. Bring lunch, water, $5 carpool. Leaders: Bev Meschi, 831-359-9961; Brooke Ewoldsen, 831-475-6188.

Sunday, November 25
Hike: Jacks Peak, another way
Let's approach Jacks' Peak from Carmel Valley. A short but delightful hike of 6 miles and 1000' of elevation gain. Through a meadow and up a fairly steep trail through the pines and oaks. Possible poison oak, so come prepared. Meet at Save Mart/Bagel Bakery. Call for time. Rain cancels. Leader: Larry Parrish, 622-7455.

Tuesday, November 27
Senior Hike: Fall Creek
Shady 3 mile hike in redwood forest partly along a creek. Some moderate uphill, rocky in places. Lunch at limestone kilns. After lunch, we'll do another mile or so. A shorter, flatter, beautiful walk will be available. Meet before 9:30 am at Sears on 41st Ave. or before 9:40 n the Gateway Shopping Plaza by the levee, between Ross and Petsmart. To go direct, cross from Graham Hill Rd to Felton Empire Rd in the center of Felton and drive half a mile to the Fall Creek parking lot on the right. No restrooms. Bring water, lunch, repellent, $3/$2 carpool. Leaders: Perry Brohmer, 650-793-3987; Brooke Ewoldsen, 831-475-6188.

Thursday, November 29
Hike: Jacks Peak
Our 5-6 mile loop with about 800 feet elevation gain at a moderate pace takes us along the quiet forested trails of the park with some views of Carmel Bay and Monterey Bay. Bring water and lunch. Meet near the California Pizza Kitchen in the Del Monte Shopping Center at 9:45 am for carpooling or at the West Parking Lot at Jacks Peak after 10 am. Bring water and lunch. Heavy rain cancels. RSVP . Leader: Gisela Nobinger, .

Saturday, December 1
Hike: Julia Pfeiffer Burns to Tin House
I would like to take serious hikers from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park up and through the Park, then over on newly opened trails to the Tin House for lunch. It is a beautiful way high through the hills with gorgeous views down the coast. After lunch, we'll walk down on the Tan Oak Bark trail to the Highway where some of our cars are parked, pick up the first cars from Pfeiffer Burns and drive back. About 12 miles with about 1,500' elevation gain/loss in a moderate pace. Bring lunch and lots of water, some $ for park entrance share. Don't forget a hat and your hiking poles. Reserve time for a long day. Meet at Park & Ride on Rio Road in Carmel at 8:00 am. For more info, call me.(alternative: Bluff Camp) Leader: Anneliese Suter, 831 624-1467.

Saturday, December 1
Hike: Henry Cowell Fall Creek
This is a moderately paced nine mile/2300 ft elevation gain day hike. Portions of the uphill are quite steep, i.e. strenuous. Meet at 9:30 am at the Fall Creek Trail Head on Felton Empire Road (Bennett Creek). For full hike details including carpools please register at https://www.meetup.com/Santa-Cruz-Sierra-Club/events. Hike will be listed there 2-3 weeks prior to the event. Leader: Steve Bakaley, or 831-612-6575.

Sunday, December 2
Hike: Big Sur, Salmon Creek Trail to Estrella Camp
6.4 miles up and back, approximately 1500 foot total elevation gain. This will be an all day event due mainly to the long 140 mile round trip drive from the Carmel Park-n-ride where we'll meet by 8 AM. Perhaps, if all feel up for it, we can take a short side hike to the possibly “thunderous” Upper Salmon Ck Falls. Trial is exposed and steep at the start but levels out as it enters forested canyon terrain and is in good shape except for one small stretch due to loose soil and previous slides. Bring water, snacks, lunch, and $6 carpool. RSVP by text to Leader: Steve Jackson, (831) 320-4561. No RSVP's as of 24 hours before meeting time cancels hike.

Sunday, December 2
Hike: Point Lobos
We'll start this leisurely 5-6 mile hike around beautiful Point Lobos at the highway, walk down to Whaler's Cove, go north to the Pit, back to visit the Whalers' Cabin, then up and over Whaler's Knoll and return via south coast trails. There will be wild flowers, wildlife, geology to see. Meet at the Rio Road "Park and Ride" just east of Hwy 1 at 9:30 am. There will be a short carpool to start of the outing. Bring $1 entry fee, snack, water, and binoculars if you like for close-ups of the animal life. Back about 1 pm. Rain cancels. Call to let me know if you are coming. Leader: Martha Saylor, 372-9215.

Tuesday, December 4
Senior Hikers' Holiday Lunch
Our Holiday Lunch will be at Olitas, a Mexican restaurant on Santa Cruz Wharf, at 12 pm. Names of those attending must be given to Irene Lennox by Thursday, November 15. ( 831 457 2690).

Thursday, December 6
Hike: The Roller Coaster, Toro Park
Our 7-mile hike takes us around the back of the Meyers Trail and up to a ridge with splendid views and steep hills ("The Roller Coaster"). After lunch at Jerry's Perch, our all-downhill return takes us back on the Ollason Trail. We climb about 1100 feet total, some on steep and rutted trail sections. Bring water, lunch, and a few dollars for park fees. Sturdy boots and hiking poles are also recommended. Meet in the dirt parking area outside the main gate at Toro Park. From there we will carpool into the park. Arrive before our 9:30 am departure time. Please RSVP. Leader: Dorothy Denning,

Sunday, December 9
Walk: Old Monterey
An afternoon walk in the footsteps of the early colonists takes us from the earliest church in Monterey to the fort they built to fight off a pirate attack. If it rains, we might make it a driving/indoor tour, depending on the walkers' wishes. While the fort is nearly invisible, the museum provides a good alternative to show us what it was all about. For meeting time/place, call or if you get a disconnect message, leave message at 747-4072 and I'll call you back. Leader: Mary Gale, 626-3565.

Tuesday, December 11
Senior Saunter: San Juan Bautista
A walking tour of the historic town of San Juan Bautista, the Plaza and the old Mission buildings. Meet before 9:30 am at Sears on 41st Ave. Bring water, $5 carpool, lunch, (or plan ahead to lunch at one of the local restaurants in San Juan Bautista.) Leader: Irene Lennox, 831-457-2690.

Wednesday, December 12
Meeting at the Monterey Public Library at 5 pm
We will talk about hiking and outings for January and February 2019. Please come and tell us about your experiences. Otherwise, please send your write-ups to not later than Sunday, December 22, 2018. Thank you in advance.

Thursday, December 13
Walk: Monterey History and Holiday walk
Our walk with little elevation gain at a moderate pace takes us through town with stops at the Colton Hall, the Royal Chapel, the Custom House, several of the old Adobes, and the Plaza. Bring water and lunch. Meet at the Colton Hall at 10 am. Park in an unlimited spot to avoid a ticket or re-parking. If it rains bring an umbrella, and let's go out for lunch. Please RSVP Leader: Gisela Nobinger, .

Sunday, December 16
Hike: Timber Top
This out-and-back walk offers outstanding views of the Big Sur coast and at the top rewards your efforts with 360 degree views out to the remote reaches of the Santa Lucia range. Strenuous 5 -6 hour hike of 7 miles and 2600' elevation gain. Meet at Rio Road Park & Ride at 8:15 am. Bring lunch, 2-3 liters water, and rain/wind/cold gear. Heavy rain cancels. Limit 12 hikers, so please reply to with your name and phone number to , We will call you. Leader: Randy May.

Monday, December 17
Hike: Buzzard Roost
This popular trail in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has re-opened after closures due to fire and flood. Midweek in winter will be the quietest time to enjoy hiking slowly up through the redwood forest to a lovely viewpoint. We'll picnic by the Big Sur River afterwards. Total distance 5 miles with elevation gain about 900 feet. Bring lunch, water and $ for your share of the park entrance fee. Meet at the Rio Road Park and Ride at 9:30 am. Heavy rain cancels. Leaders: Cath Farrant and Mary Dainton, 372 7427.

Tuesday, December 18
Senior Saunter: Carmel Town
This walk will start at the Carmel Mission and go through the Preserve to the Central Park on Ocean Ave for lunch and a look at the shops and holiday decorations, and then return by the same route. A slower walk will be available. Meet before 9:30 am at Sears on 41st Ave. Bring lunch, water, $6 carpool. Leaders: Bev Meschi, 831-475-4185; Brooke Ewoldsen, 831-475-6188.

Thursday, December 20
Hike: Three Sisters, Fort Ord
Our 7-mile loop takes us out to Three Sisters and along ridges with magnificent views of Fort Ord and Toro Park. We climb about 1000 feet total, some on steep and rutted sections of trails. Bring water and lunch. Meet at the Fort Ord Creekside Terrace Trailhead off Reservation Rd. near Hwy 68. Arrive before our 9:30 am departure time. Please RSVP. Leader: Dorothy Denning,

Saturday, December 22
Hike: Mount Madonna County Park
Shall we go there again? Or something else? Call me if you feel like hiking now before Christmas. This beautiful park has several different landscapes from redwood forest to oak woodland, chaparral and grassy meadows. We'll walk about 8 miles with 1300 feet of elevation gain. Maybe this time the other way around. Bring food and water. Meet at Home Depot in Seaside at 9 am or on Main Street in Soquel when coming from Santa Cruz at 9:30 am to carpool. Call for more info. Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467.

Tuesday, December 25
Merry Christmas !

Thursday, December 27
Hike: After Christmas hike: Moss Landing State Beach
Our 5 miles out and back with minimal elevation gain at a moderate pace take us from the end of Jetty Rd. to the Pajaro River and back. Enjoy views of the bay, surf and ocean. We should see lots of birds along the way. Bring water and lunch. Meet at Rei at 9:30 am or at the end of Jetty Rd North of Moss Landing at 10 am. Heavy rain cancels. Please RSVP. Leader: Gisela Nobinger, .

Sunday, December 30
Hike: Huckleberry Hill
Let's finish the year with a short but interesting jaunt up to Huckleberry Hill on the east side of Point Lobos. About 5 miles with 600' of elevation gain, through a variety of coastal ecosystems. Bring water, lunch, and optional camera for unique views of Point Lobos. Maybe we'll spot a Gowan Cypress or two along the way. We'll meet at 10 am. But call for updated info. Rain cancels. Leader: Larry Parrish, 622-7455.

Monday, December 31
New Year's Eve

Tuesday, January 1st, 2019
New Year's Day Hike
Our traditional New Year's Hike takes us from the parking lot at Safeway's Mid Valley, carpooling to Garland Ranch, climb up to Snifely's Ridge at a very moderate pace, and still a little higher to a sunny spot for lunch. Then we'll turn west all the way high down through Carmel Valley, to Hold Road and back to most of our cars. But wait a minute, you are all invited to "Kaffee und Kuchen" at my place, Mid Valley Garden Homes #53, to celebrate the New Year. About 8 miles and 1,500' elevation gain/loss. Bring water and a light lunch, hiking sticks and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at Mid Valley parking lot opposite Chase Bank at 10 am. Call to confirm. Heavy rain (or snow) cancels. Leader: Anneliese Suter, 831 624-1467.

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