| Dear Friends,
Prepare for the longest and perhaps
the most scenic hike thus far. First of all, dont be scared with
the word "longest", there's a backup loop for those that opt to go a shorter
distance. Here're some details about the hike. I'll post more information
on the website (http://www.signite.com/hiking) in the next couple of days.
This hike will take place in Big Basin Redwoods State Park - the oldest
and one of the largest California state parks. It has over 80 miles
of trails crossing old growth and second growth redwoods, creeks, waterfalls,
ridges, valleys, mountain peaks, etc. The trail we will attemp this
sunday will be about 10.5 miles long and take 6 to 7 hours. Why the
distance? Because of what we'll be able to see: old growth
redwoods (super giant redwoods, some over 2000 years old) and several waterfalls
(for an example, see this picture: http://www.bigbasin.org/silvercascadefalls.jpg).
I have been on this loop several times several years ago and it was well
worth the distance! The elevation changes are not drastic like Purisima
or Mission Peak, or even Monte Bello. The expected elevation change
is +/- 400 ft (Purisima was 1600 ft, Mission Peak was about 2000 ft, Monte
Bello was +/-600 ft), so given a moderate to slow pace, no one should have
any problems, including kids. When I went on this loop several years
ago, it was with a group where most were first-timers, including some kids,
and everyone finished it. We will need to bring a light lunch
and eat it about half way into the hike, so bring something like sandwiches
or whatever you prefer. We also did this last time I did this loop
and I think we had lunch sitting around the waterfalls.
The loop can be cut in about half
by taking an alternate trail for those that dont want to do the entire
loop. The shorter loop will be about 7 miles but you will not see
the waterfalls. Both short and long loops start on the same trail,
so you'll have about an hour to decide whether to continue on the long
loop or take the alternate trail for the short loop. Either way,
it should be beautiful.
Remember, this will be a fairly shady
hike so you wont have to worry about exhaustion from the sun. And the altitude
change is fairly moderate - probably around the same level as our last
Big Basin hike for those that went on that one.
This hike has already been confirmed,
that is, it will take place no matter what :) Please let me know
if you plan to join us by Thursday noon. We will meet at Bijan as
usual, but because it will be a fairly long drive (~1 hr) to the park,
please arrive at the Bijan bakery at least 10 minutes before 8 so we can
carpool and you can get breakfast or sandwiches for lunch.
After this hike, we might have another
hike the week after (8/26) and then we'll be breaking for Labor Day weekend
and possibly the week after that as well. So this might be the last
hike for a few weeks, so come on down! Take a look at some pictures
from last month's Big Basin hike (6 miles) if you want to see what parts
of Big Basin looks like: http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/bc/piglettrails/lst?.dir=/Big+Basin+7_14&.view=t
If you have any questions, don't
hesistate to let me know. Hope to see ya all Sunday!
paul |
