Connect Outdoors

Join Tuesday’s impromptu hike, and help me plan ahead for next month’s hike farther up the coast, where we can see the sunset better: Read July’s proposed hike and let’s chat on the trail!

June brings the Strawberry Moon, named for the woodland strawberries which begin to ripen this month, and also for the tint of the moon if viewed through rose colored glasses.

The Wilder Overlook is an excellent perch to watch the moon rise as the sun is setting. (In the summer, we won’t have a direct view of the sun dipping into the ocean. Pray for reflective clouds.)

We will stop to enjoy the expansive view, and share snacks, at the picnic table overlook. Feel free to head back while the sunset is still bright (it’s mostly a straight shot, so no map required). Or, even better, bring a jacket and linger to enjoy the skies while the full moon rises in the East (ESE). Let’s discuss past and future hikes, health, and a friendly game of poker?

The deets:

• Alltrails map. Meet at Overlook marker
• Forecast: clear skies, 65(F) to ~60(F) after dark.
• You should bring a light, but consider letting your eyes adjust and the moonlight may guide you home.
• Bring snacks, and layers for the temperature drop after dark.
• Meet on the south (Santa Cruz) end of the parking lot along Hwy 1, just before the official entrance to Wilder.
• Cell service should be ok.
• I’ll leave my number in the comments.
• Bathrooms are available at the main parking lot, but it is a > 5 minute walk each way.

Historical Note: This overlook area is where we spotted the comet Purple Mountain ATLAS, back in October! Well, almost. We were a little farther down the trail, heading home, thinking that we had missed it, when all of the sudden, as it got darker and darker, after dusk had faded, we saw the freaking big comet on the horizon! Next time we will do it up right. So, this trip is also partly reconnaissance, for when the next comet, or meteor shower, or alien landing calls. We'll be ready to party with the aliens!

Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. Outdoor activities are inherently hazardous. By signing up for this hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with vigorous outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge “Connect Outdoors”, the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.

Our route on AllTrails. It's a lazy figure eight kind of route: Fall Creek Trail - Fall Creek South Fork - Cape Horn - Fall Creek - S-Cape - Ridge - Truck - Big Ben - Fall Creek - Fall Creek North Fork - Fall Creek Trail. Covered by the shade of the Redwoods, we get the most sun on Ridge & Truck Trail. We'll enjoy the peaceful sound of water for much of the hike.

Be prepared: Hiking shoes that you don't mind getting wet and have excellent tread are a must. Remember to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and any other items you'll need on a hike of this distance and elevation gain.

Start and Finish Together: We hike at a quick pace of 2.5 to 2.8 miles per hour, pausing at all junctions and creek crossings to make sure the group stays together and no one gets left behind.

Parking: No fee for parking and no dogs allowed on these trails.

When we've returned to our starting point, we'll regroup in the parking lot before (hopefully) beating Friday traffic on Hwy 1 South to Nisene Marks for our second 8 mile hike! Sign up for Nisene Marks in a separate event.

Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for a night at the pub, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any social activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.

This is the second of two 8-mile hikes. Starting from the Porter parking lot, this trail is around 8 miles, clockwise over Loma Prieta Grade down to Bridge Creek Trail that takes us to Maple Falls. We'll return by way of Bridge Creek Trail after a short break at Maple Falls. Our route on AllTrails. Distance, elevation gain, and time is an estimate. Please be flexible and allow around 4 hours hiking time.

Please note: the trail closer to Maple Falls includes some climbing and scrambling. Gloves come in very useful to make your way over, around and up different types of natural barriers. There are several smallish shallow creek crossings on this section.

Be prepared: Hiking shoes that you don't mind getting wet and have excellent tread are a must, along with gloves and clothing that will protect you from the ever-present poison oak. Remember to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and any other items you'll need on a hike of this distance and elevation gain.

Start and Finish Together: following the first hike at Fall Creek, we'll regroup and gather at Peet's Coffee at 1:30PM to consolidate cars and carpool into the park. We hike at a quick pace of 2.5 to 2.8 miles per hour, pausing at all junctions and creek crossings to make sure the group stays together and no one gets left behind.

Parking: Porter parking lot is the furthest lot inside the park and parking may be limited at this time of day. We'll meet at Peet's to carpool into the park, departing by 1:30PM. State Park Pass or $10 per car required.

Dogs are not allowed on these trails.

Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for a night at the pub, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any social activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.

Schedule (TBD):
4pm - Meet at Butano [Coming] HIKE
6:30pm — Meet at the marsh [“]
7:30pm -- Walk to Franklin Point: Meet at the "North Whitehouse Creek Trail" directly across Highway 1 from the main Costanoa entrance. Here is the route from Hwy 1 Brewing. Note there is another trail labelled Franklin Point, but we will walk the N Whitehouse trail. The parking area is not highly visible from the road, so watch for the big Costanoa sign (see image in photos).

Butano Parking: The main lot is convenient, but as a State Park you will want to bring an annual pass or pay a small fee (~$6-10).

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Stay cool this Wednesday by hiking in the ocean breeze. We’ll be exploring Butano in the afternoon and then (extended option) catch the sunset at Franklin Point!

Combined, the three hikes will be about 6 miles & ~500’ elevation.

Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for this hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any social activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.