Ventana Chapter Hikes and Outings for Monterey/Carmel and Santa Cruz
July and August 2017
(Please contact leader to reserve a space)

Sunday, July 2
Hike: Jacks Peak
We'll walk around Jacks Peak clockwise, starting at the elementary school on Olmstead Road (near Monterey airport). A moderate hike of about 6 miles with less than 1,000' elevation gain/loss but with some beautiful views of Monterey and Point Lobos. Let's hope for some late spring flowers. Bring water and a sandwich. We'll have lunch at a picnic table in the shade. Meet at the elementary school yard on Ollason Road at 10 am. Call to let me know if you are coming and I will let you know that I am back from vacation. Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467.

Tuesday, July 4
Senior Hike : Mt Madonna
This Santa Cruz County Park is located high above Watsonville on Hwy.152. Moderate 2.5 mile hike in lovely forest and meadows. Shorter walk available. We'll return home via Gizdich Farms for pie. Meet before 9:30 am at Sears on 41st Ave. or by restrooms just beyond the Park's kiosk entrance about 10:00 am. Bring lunch, water, $4 carpool. Leaders: Perry Brohmer, 650-793-3987; Brooke Ewoldsen, 831-475-6188.

Thursday, July 6
Coast Walk: Pt. Pinos to Asilomar or Pt. Joe and back
Our 4-5 mile out-and-back with minimal elevation gain at a moderate pace takes us along the coast from Pt Pinos to Asilomar State Park and Beach. If we still feel like more walking, we will head out Point Joe. Bring water and lunch. Meet near the Pacific Grove Light House and the Golf Course on Asilomar Drive at 9:30 am. Leader: Gisela Nobinger, or 408-406-9650. Please let me know if you are coming.

Friday, July 7
Hike: Garland mid-level trail loop
Meet at Garland Park visitor center at 9:30 am. We'll hike up the Waterfall trail to the Mesa, then up Sky trial to Sage, descending via shady Maple Canyon. About 5 miles with 800 feet elevation gain, leisurely pace. Bring water and a lunch that we'll enjoy once back down near the native plant garden and arboretum. Leaders: Cath Farrant and Mary Dainton, 372-7427.

Saturday, July 8
Bicycle Ride: Corralitos Loop
17 miles (+ or -), about 600' elevation gain, around 1.5 to 2 hours. This will be a leisurely paced ride through a redwood forest on paved roads paralleling lush creek settings. Gentle to moderate incline for about 6.5 miles, then down for about 3 miles, followed by gentle ups and downs through apple country and back to our start at the Corralitos Market. Meet at 10 AM at the Corralitos Market, Corralitos and Hames Rds. For those wanting a longer ride, we can extend when back at the cars. For questions, call ride Leader: Steve Jackson, (831) 320-4561.

Tuesday, July 11
Senior Saunter: Pogonip Spring St.
A 3.5 mile mostly level walk in Pogonip. We will take the Spring Trail to the lime kilns and back, visiting some unique stone labyrinths along the way. A shorter walk will be available. Meet before 9:30 AM at Sears on 41st Ave. or at the top of Spring St. in Santa Cruz before 9.50 AM. No Restrooms. No lunch arrangements. $2 carpool. Leader: Perry Brohmer, 650-793-3987.

Thursday, July 13
Hike: Castle Rock SP from Saratoga Gap
We start with a San Lorenzo River crossing where it is a 12" rivulet, and go on from there into Castle Rock SP. Expect maybe 7-8 miles with 1000 ft elevation gain. We'll meet in the parking lot of my office at 615 Water St in Santa Cruz at 9:30 am to carpool because we can't use the Govt Center lot on a weekday. Call for more information. Leader: Nick Wyckoff, (831) 462-3101.

Thursday, July 13
Hike: Jacks Peak
Our 6 mile loop with about 700 feet elevation gain at a moderate pace takes us along the quiet forested trails with some views of Carmel and Monterey Bay. Bring water and lunch. Meet near the Whole Foods store at 9:40 am for carpooling or at the West Parking Lot at Jacks Peak at 10 am. Bring water and lunch. Leader: Gisela Nobinger, or 408-406-9650. Please let me know if you are coming.

Sunday, July 16
Pfeiffer State Park Walk
Care for a stroll in the park along the river and through the woods? Let's get a Big Sur fix by heading down to see where we can walk. If the 1.5 mile trail to the south has been opened by this date, we may choose an alternate (and somewhat more strenuous) course. Call for more detail before the weekend of the hike! Leader: Mary Gale, 626-3565.

Tuesday, July 18
Senior Saunter: Ano Nuevo
3 mile walk in the park famed for the elephant seals. Longer walk includes walking on sand dunes. A shorter walk will be available. Meet before 9:30 am at Sears on 41st Ave, or near Shen's Antiques (Mission/King) before 9.50 AM. Bring water, lunch, $5 carpool ($3 from Shen's) and share of entrance fee. Leaders: Irene Lennox, 831-457-2690; Brooke Ewoldsen, 831-475-6188.

Thursday, July 20
Hike: Nisene Marks State Park
Our 6-8 mile loop with about 800 feet elevation gain at a moderate pace takes us through Redwoods and Oak forest. We will walk along the old railroad trail past the Hoffman Historic Site to the Bridge Creek for lunch. We return along the creek. Bring water and lunch. Meet near REI near Highway 1 and Imjin Pkwy at 9 am or at 9:45 behind the Epicenter bicycle store. Please let me know if you are coming. Leader: Gisela Nobinger, or 408-406-9650.

Sunday, July 23
Hike: Pt. 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 Ixchenta Point and the bedrock mortars, 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. Call leader, Martha Saylor, 372-9215. to let me know you are coming.

Tuesday, July 25
Senior Hike: Lower Nisene Marks/Chaminade
For the hikers this is an approx. 3.5 mile nature walk among the redwoods, the largest tree in the Park and the twisted trees. Some uphill. To go direct, park at the first kiosk. Primitive restrooms. The walkers are going to Chaminade. To go direct, park behind the tennis courts. Both groups meet before 9:30 AM at Sears on 41st Ave. Bring lunch, water, $2 carpool and share of Park fee. Leaders: Perry Brohmer, 650-793-3987; Brooke Ewoldsen, 831-475-6188.

Saturday, July 29
Hike: Santa Lucia Creek
From the Arroyo Seco parking lot we take the Santa Lucia Trail to just west of the "historic Adobe" and hike from there on the Arroyo Seco Indians Road to the Santa Lucia Connector enjoying excellent views of the Soberanes fire burn area. At the connector we hike down to the Santa Lucia Creek, which we follow back to the "historic Adobe", crossing the creek approx. 8 times. From there we can either hike back to our cars on the Santa Lucia Tr. or on the Arroyo Seco Indians Road. Total miles 13.9. It is going to be hot! Bring food and 2 to 3 liters of water, and/or be prepared to filtrate water from the creek. For crossing the creek you might want to bring appropriate foot wear Prepare for poison oak and ticks! Meeting time: 8:00 AM at McDonalds in Soledad. Please RSVP for reservations and carpooling! Host is Burkhard Siedhoff, 831-920-1803, leave phone # and name!

Saturday, July 29
Bicycle Ride: Jacks Peak, Monterey
10 miles round trip, sea level to about 1000 ft. Short but steep, extra 100' elevation for short hike to views of Monterey Bay and Point Lobos. Lunch in beautiful thick forest setting close to restrooms on picnic tables at west parking lot. Total time: 2 to 3 hrs. We'll meet across from "Dennis the Menace Park," Monterey for a 10 AM start, and ride on roads with paved designated bike lanes all the way. Tire patch kit or extra tube and bike lock recommended. Bring water, lunch and wind breaker for cool-ish decent. No entrance fees for bikes. Ends back at the cars where we started. For questions call ride Leader: Steve Jackson, (831) 320-4561.

Tuesday, August 1
Senior Saunter: Lovers' Point
This is a round trip north, approx. 2 miles, from Lover's Point to the Monterey Bay Hotel Plaza, or 3 miles to the Coast Guard Wharf. Lunch near the coffee shop at the Plaza. Meet before 9:30 AM at Sears on 41st Ave or take Hwy 1 exit to Fisherman's Wharf, drive south and park on street by Lover's Point. Restrooms. Bring lunch, water, $5 carpool. Leaders: Brooke Ewoldsen, 831-475-6188; Bev Meschi, 831-475-4185.

Saturday, August 5
Hike: Asilomar, Pebble Beach Loop
4 mile loop inland of Spanish Bay and through Pebble Beach neighborhood to sand dunes horse trail to beach trail. We then go out to Point Joe and return along the beach boardwalk back to Asilomar Blvd. Beach wild flowers and 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 leader, Martha Saylor, 372-9215 to let me know you are coming.

Tuesday, August 8
Del Mesa Carmel to Jacks Peak Park
This hike begins at Del Mesa Carmel in Carmel Valley. From there, we'll hike into a seldom visited area on top of a ridge, then into Jacks Peak Park and back. We'll have a peaceful forest walk with great views along the way. About 5-½ miles with ± 600 feet elevation gain. Bring water & lunch. Arrive early; we depart at 10:00am from Del Mesa. Call for a reservation and directions to the meeting location—limit of 8. Leader: Lynn Bomberger, 375-7777.

Tuesday, August 8
Senior Saunter: Seabright and Arana Gulch
Approx. 4 miles along the cliffs in Seabright, across a beach, around the marina, through Arana Gulch and back. A shorter walk is available. We'll lunch at Frederick St. Park. Meet before 9:30 AM at Sears on 41st Ave. or by 9:50 AM at the beginning of East Cliff Dr. at the junction with Alhambra Ave. Restrooms. Bring lunch, water, $2 carpool. Leaders: Irene Lennox, 831-457-2690; Brooke Ewoldsen, 831-475-6188.

Saturday, August 12
Hike: Achistaca Trail, Saratoga Gap
This is a walk into Long Ridge OSP from Hwy 9 near Saratoga Gap. It will probably be 6-7 miles with about 900 ft elevation gain. Meet at the Govt Center in Santa Cruz at 9:30 a.m. to carpool. Call for more information. Leader: Nick Wyckoff, (831) 462-3101.

Sunday, August 13
Hike: Let me surprise you
Today, 5/20/17, we don't know how much of the Big Sur country and Highway One will be open in two months? But a week before, I'll figure it out and plan a hike for us. Please call a few days ahead. Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467.

Tuesday, August 15
Senior Saunter: Capitola Stairs
An approx. 3 mile walk takes us through the "Jewel Box" of Capitola, down steps to the Esplanade with a walk through the Venetian condos, up and around Depot Hill and back to the Esplanade. Shorter walk available. Meet before 9:30 AM at Sears on 41st Ave., where walk begins. Restrooms. Bring water and lunch or buy lunch at one of the restaurants. Leader: Denise Lucy, 831-728- 6552.

Thursday, August 17
Hike: Del Monte Forest
Our 4-5 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 a snack. Meet at the parking area along highway 68 at the Haul Road between Skyline Forest and Forest Hill at 9:30 am. Leader: Gisela Nobinger, or 408-406-9650. Please let me know if you are coming.

Saturday, August 19
Bicycle Ride: Seascape Village to Natural Bridges St. Park
32 to 35 miles round trip. Twisty-turny, up and down coastal route northbound and a more or less direct route thru Santa Cruz and along Soquel Ave/Drive back to our cars. I've ridden this route many times but never bothered with stats, so estimate total elevation gain as 400 to 500'. Possibly 1.5 hours each way plus whatever stops at points of interest. Tire patch kit or extra tube and bike lock recommended. Bring water, lunch. Lunch at Natural Bridges. Meet at the dirt lot below Seascape Sports Club tennis courts by Seascape Village at 10 AM. For questions call ride Leader: Steve Jackson, (831) 320-456.

Sunday, August 20
Happy Trails & Fort Ord Natl Monument
We'll explore the lands adjacent to the Fort Ord National Monument known locally as 'Happy Triails'. And we'll venture into the FONM and visit some of the vernal ponds and other sites along the way. Expect 6-8 miles of fairly level oak woodlands with maybe 1000' of elevation gain. We'll adjust according to the temperature and group sentiment. Call for meeting time and place. Larry Parrish 622-7455.

Tuesday, August 22
Senior Hike/Saunter: Waddell Creek
Approx. 4 mile hike on tree lined dirt roads in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Some uphill. We will hike up the "Skyline to the Sea" trail to "Twin Redwood Camp". Our return will be on the main dirt road. Lunch will be by the horse trail camp. There will be a walking alternative. Prepare for sun/heat/fog. Meet before 9:30 AM at Sears on 41st Ave. or at Shen's Gallery at Mission & King St. before 9:50 AM. We will park along HWY 1 after crossing the creek bridge. Restrooms. Bring lunch, water, $4 carpool fee. Leaders: Perry Brohmer, 650-793-3987; Brooke Ewoldsen, 831-475-6188.

Thursday, August 24
Hike: Fort Ord West
Our 5-6 mile loop with about 700 feet elevation gain at a moderate pace takes us uphill on one of the many trails to a bench with an overlook. The area has some shade, but also open trails, so bring a hat as well as water and a snack. Many of the trails have deep water channels, so good shoes are recommended. Bring water and lunch. Meet at the parking lot for the Jerry Smith Access Corridor on Inter-Garrison Rd, near Schoonover Rd. at 9:30 am. Leader: Gisela Nobinger, or 408-406-9650. Please let me know if you are coming.

Sunday, August 27
Hike: Fort Ord Dunes
For a warm summer day, there is nothing better than a walk along the beach. We'll also climb up the dunes to destroy some ice plants to make room for indigenous ones. Picnic at a table in the shade. Bring a sandwich and water, wear a hat and sun protection. Meet at 9 am at Home Depot in Seaside. Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467.

Sunday, August 27
Beach Walk and more at Eolian Dunes Preserve
Never heard of Eolian Dunes? Oldtimers still refer to this area as the old dump, and beach glass salvagers can be seen searching the surf for this precious commodity. We'll do a morning walk on the beach and end with a look at the bluff area of this MPRPD preserve. Those wishing to join the leader for an afternoon stroll around the West End Celebration are welcome to do so. You can bring a lunch to eat at the shore, or get something from a booth at the fair. Leader: Mary Gale, 626-3565

Tuesday, August 29
Senior Hike: Pogonip Emma McCrary
This will be a 4 mile loop up the Emma McCrary mixed use trail at Pogonip. (It connects with the Rincon and Ucon trails.) From the McCrary Trail the hikers will join the Spring Trail to the Brayshaw Trail, and from there they will walk to the clubhouse to enjoy lunch or snacks. A shorter Senior Saunter for walkers will be available, with Brooke. Meet before 9:30 am at Sears on 41st Ave. or beside the levee in the Gateway Center on River St, between Ross and Petsmart, before 9:40 am. Parking is very limited so car pool. Bring lunch, water, $2 carpool. Leaders: Perry Brohmer, 650-793-3987; Brooke Ewoldsen, 831-475-6188.

Sunday, September 3
Hike/Walk: Pt. 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 Moss Cove, 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, and 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 1:30 pm. Call leader, Martha Saylor, 372-9215 to let me know you are coming.

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