If you have trip suggestions but can't come to the meeting,
please send your ideas by e-mail to Erik (
boman__no_spam__sccm.stanford.edu)
before the meeting.
New prospective "members" (we have no fees or formal membership)
are welcome to come and learn about the club.
This will be a long hike. We will hike the entire
Coast Trail (15mi. one way), in Point Reyes National Seashore
(Ph: 415-663-1092).
Note: If it is more convenient for you, you can join the group
at the Pt. Reyes Youth Hostel at 9:30am.
Sunday Apr 20: Mt. Diablo North Peak Hike
- Length of hike: 10-11 miles
- Elevation gain: 3000 feet (very strenuous)
- Meet: 8:15am at the Bechtel I-Center, Stanford
We leave promptly at 8:30!
We will start on the north (some say east) side
of Mt. Diablo, in Clayton near Walnut Creek. We
enter through the Regency entrance and hike up the
Back Creek Trail. This will take us from 600 feet up to
the Meridian Ridge Road at 2200 feet! The strong hikers
can then follow fire roads up to the North Peak (3557 ft)
from which there is a great view. The descent is down
on the north-east side via Mt Olympia. We then traverse
over to the Donner Canyon Road, which leads us right
back to the cars. If somebody is tired at 2200 feet
they can take a short-cut down to Donner Canyon and wait
for the peak climbers there.
Some quotes from the official Mt.Diablo trail map&guide:
- "... astounding beauty ... particularly recommended in
the spring wildflower season"
- "Back Canyon has tiny streams, spectacularly eroded rocks"
- "Donner Canyon has a broad stream between emerald grassy banks"
We are a bit late for the wildflowers, but there should
still be some flowers to see.
This trip contains a lot of hill climbing (even with the
short-cut option) so it will be a real workout!
Expect the full hike to take 7-8 hours (excluding driving).
Note that there are no facilities at our entry point
so make sure you bring everything you need and stop
for a restroom break on the way. This area can be very hot
on a sunny day so bring lots of water (at least 2 liter/quarts)
and perhaps a hat. If you have a Mt.Diablo map, please
bring it.
The trail head in Clayton can be a bit tricky to find.
If you liveN in the East Bay and would like to meet us up there,
please email me (boman__no_spam__sccm.stanford.edu) for directions.
Trip "leader": Erik Boman (boman__no_spam__sccm.stanford.edu)
415-493-5009 (h)
May 04: Sunol Regional Wilderness(East Bay)
Meet at Bechtel Intl. Center at 8:45 am, leave around 9 am sharp.
Roughly a 45 min to 1 hr drive.
Approximate length: 11 mi. roundtrip.
Elevation gain: net: 1200', total: ~2000' (the trail goes up and
down)
Hike Description:
We will explore the trails of Sunol Regional Wilderness. The park
covers some of the nicest areas in the Ohlone Wilderness (formerly a
hunting and gathering ground for the Ohlone Indians)--miles of tall
grasses, lush carpetsof wildflowers in spring, and unusual rock
formations. First, to warm up, we will take the Flag Hill trail (elev.
1360'). This is a steep trail that gains about 900' in 1.2 miles.
After enjoying the view (and catching our breath), we will head towards
the Maguire Peaks. We will loop around them (there is no trail to the
top) and then go to the Cave Rocks Road. This road leads to "little
Yosemite", a scenic gorge on Alameda creek. Finally, we will head back
to the Park entrance.
To Bring: 2 Quarts water (esp. if it's warm), lunch, sunscreen
Detail driving instructions will be given at the I-center.
Trip "leader": Doug Smith (des__no_spam__leland.Stanford.EDU)
May 10: Marin County
- Length of hike: ~10 miles
- Elevation gain: 1100 feet (not very much)
- Meet: 8:30 am at the Bechtel I-Center, Stanford
- Driving time: 1-1.5 hours
This weekends hike will be in Tennessee Vally (just south of Muir
woods). We will start at Tennessee parking lot (see below) and
hike the Tennesse Vally trail, to the Coastal Trail which will
bring us to Muir beach and lunch. Then we will follow the Green
Gulch trail back to the parking lot. I have never done this hike, but
friends that have tell me it is beautiful with views of the ocean, and
lots of wild flowers!!
We will meet at 8:30 (and leave at 8:40 sharp) Some of us may stop for
dinner in the city, so bring some extra $$ if you would like to
join us. Please e-mail me if you would like to meet us in Tennessee
Valley at
ettinger__no_spam__leland.stanford.edu
To get there take Highway 101. On highway 101 5 miles N of the
Golden gate bridge take Highway 1 marked
Mount Tam/Muir woods. Follow for 0.5 miles then turn left onto
Tennesse Vally Rd, which will take you to a laarge parking lot in 2.2
miles. Please meet us at 10:00
Trip "leader": Rachel Ettinger, e-mail
ettinger__no_spam__leland.stanford.edu
May 17: Butano State Park
- Length of hike: 11-13 miles
- Elevation diff: less than 1500ft
- Meet: *8:30am* at the Bechtel Center, Stanford
(Alternate at the park parking lot at 9:45)
- Driving time: 70 min. (each way)
Butano State Park stretches almost from Big Basin to the
Pacific Ocean. We will do a loop hike of 11-13 miles and
quite a bit of up and downhill.
We'll start near the park entrance and go up the
Jackson Flat trail. The trail will go through both redwood forest
and later open areas with great views of the surrounding
hills and canyons (and the ocean, if not foggy/cloudy). The return is
down the Ano Nuevo trail which is quite steep with lots of switchbacks.
Bring a sweater or jacket since it can be chilly/windy
near the coast even if it is nice and warm around the bay.
Optional detour to a beach on the way home if the weather is nice.
The drive to the park entrance is about 70 minutes. You
can take HW84 over to HW1. Take a left on HW1 and then a left again on
Pescadero. Now follow the signs to Butano park. You'll make a right
again on Pescadero a little ways from the ocean.
We strongly recommend that you meet at the Bechtel Center at 8:30am
for car-pooling!
Trip "leader": Vijay Raghavan, vijay__no_spam__redbrick.com
May 25: Pogonip hike and BBQ
The academic year is coming to an end, so it's time
once again for our annual end-of-year potluck barbecue.
This year, it will be held at Mike Bitsko's house in Santa
Cruz.
Because Mike's back yard cannot fit all 500 people on our
mailing list, we will limit participation in this event
to 30 people. If you would like to come, please RSVP
to Erik Boman (email: boman__no_spam__sccm.stanford.edu, phone 493-5009(h))
as soon as possible. The most active club members will be given
preference, otherwise it's first-come first-served.
Mike will provide some chicken plus utensils.
You should bring some food or drinks to share, just like
at our potluck meetings. Since this is a very international
club, it would be fun if everyone brought a dish from their
home country.
To whet our appetites, we'll take a short hike in Pogonip, Santa
Cruz's 640-acre nature reserve. The hike, on trails and fir roads,
will be short and easy by Outing Club standards: 5 miles with less
than 1,000 feet uphill.
Pogonip contains a wide variety of habitats, including
grasslands, chaparral and redwood forests. Incidentally,
Pogonip is an Ohlone (Indian) word meaning 'icy fog',
something we're unlikely to encounter this time of year.
Participants will meet at 9am in front of the
International Center. Maps and directions to Mike's house
will be available at that time. If you live in the South Bay
and would like to drive directly to Santa Cruz, let Erik know
and we might even organize a South Bay carpool.
For further questions, email Erik at boman__no_spam__sccm.stanford.edu or call Mike at 408-457-8633.
June 1: Pt.Lobos & kayaking (FULLY BOOKED)
- Meet: *7:45am* at the Bechtel Center, Stanford
- Length of hike: 6 miles
- Elevation diff: >100 ft (flat)
- Kayaking: from 3pm to 6:30pm
- Driving time: 90 miles (each way)
- Cost: $20 per person (plus carpool cost)
In this trip, we will first hike in Point Lobos State Reserve until
2:00pm, and then we will kayak in the Monterrey Bay from 3:00 to
6:30.
Point Lobos is
located three miles
south of Carmel on Highway 1. We will do the Perimeter Hike which
include shore trails and wonderful views of the ocean and marine
life.
To protect the reserve, there is a limit in the number of visitors to
Point Lobos, if we are not able to get in Point Lobos, the alternative
plan is to hike in Garrapata State Park.
Kayaking will start off cannery row in the waters of Monterey Bay.
There is abundant marine life in the area, and we may see sea otters,
seals, and sea lions. You do not need kayaking experience, a short
introduction to paddling is included in the cost. We will use
sit-on-top kayaks (so if it tips, you are not trapped) and the
waters of
the harbor area are very calm. However, to join this trip you
should be
at least comfortable with swimming in the ocean. Cost includes
instruction, kayak, paddle, and clothering (life vest, splashpants and
windbreaker). There are very limited facilities at the rental
place (no showers).
Optional dinner at Monterey after kayaking.
If you would like to come, please read the disclaimer at the end of the
message and then RSVP to Arturo Crespo (email: crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu,
phone (415) 723-9273 (o) and 497-2047(h)) as soon as possible. The most
active club members will be given preference, otherwise it's first-come
first-served. There will be a maximum of 25 participants.
Disclaimer: Kayaking and Hiking are, like many other recreations,
potentially dangerous activities and before you choose to embark upon
pursuits they, you should carefully consider your own individual
limitations. You are the only responsible for your health, welfare and
actions. The organizer, Stanford Outing Club and Stanford University
will not be responsible for any accidents or consequences either to
person or persons. By signing to this trip you acknowledge that you
read and understand all this.
Trip "organizer": Arturo Crespo (crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu)
Jun 07: Andrew Molera (Big Sur)
- Length of hike: 8-9 miles
- Elevation gain: 1200 feet
- Meet: 8:00am at the Bechtel I-Center, Stanford
- Driving time: ~1.5 hours (each way)
Andrew Molera State Park is located along the Big Sur River,
22 miles south of Carmel. The park contains a variety of
natural "communities", including the river, forests, grasslands,
and beach.
There are 15 miles of trails in the park, and we will
hike about half of them. Elevations will vary from sea level
to 1200 feet. Our hike will follow the Big Sur river,
climb a ridge for a great view of the coastline, and
take us along cliff tops overlooking the ocean. If the tide
is out, we can also walk along the beach for a mile or two.
Please note that the trip "leader" has never been on the
trails we are taking. In order for this hike to be successful,
the group will have to stick together and everyone will have
to cooperate in reading the maps and trail signs.
Optional dinner in Monterey on the way home.
Trip "leader": Mike Bitsko (ph: 408-457-863)
Jun 14: Black Mountain
- Length of hike: 10mi
- Elevation diff: 1900 ft
- Meet: 8:30 at the Bechtel International Center.
- Driving time: 30 minutes
This Saturday we will go to the summit of Black Mountain (2800 ft),
the highest mountain in the Sierra Morena. We will start our hike
in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, we will take Skid Road Trail to
Indian Creek Trail to Black Mountain. From the summit there is a
marvelous views west into Stevens Creek Canyon and thousands of
acres of open-space lands on the Skyline ridge. To the East, the
entire Bay Area spreads out. We will return through Old Ranch
Trail, Bella Vista trail,
Canyon Trail, White Oak Trail, and finally back to Skid Road Trail.
This hike will have a lot of uphills and many open areas, so
remember to bring plenty of water.
Trip "leader": Arturo Crespo (email: crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu
phone (415) 723-9273 (o) and 497-2047(h))
Jun 21: Full moon hike, Pinnacles
- Length of hike: ~10 miles
- Elevation gain: 1500 feet (moderately strenuous)
- Meet: 3:00 pm at the Bechtel Center, Stanford
- Driving: approx. 2 hours each way
Join us in celebrating Midsummer Night, the longest
day of the year, this Saturday.
We will go to Pinnacles National Monument, the remains of an ancient
volcano 2 hours drive south of Palo Alto. Our about 10 mile hike
will take us up, around, and over the pinnacles as well as through
some small caves. Half the hike will be after sunset, but if
the sky is clear there should be plenty of moonlight.
Everybody must bring a flashlight (and batteries) for the caves!
This time we will start and end at the visitor's center,
giving us the chance to go through both sets of caves.
Trails may be wet and slippery through the caves so wear
sturdy shoes or boots. Bring some food, drinks,
and warm clothes (it can get chilly after dark). Also bring money
for parking and optional meal in Hollister on the way home.
We will return to Stanford late, probably around 1am,
or even later if you stop for coffee/food in Hollister.
Full moon is really on Friday, so on Saturday there is
a time gap between sunset at 8:28 and moonrise at 9:20.
We're not sure what we'll do, but if everybody brings
flashlights we could turn them on and continue walking
(if we're not already at the top having our meal).
Since this is Midsummer Night, which is celebrated
in many cultures, it would be nice if everybody brought
a special food item or drink to share.
Trip "leader": Mike Bitsko, ph: (408) 457-8633.
co-leader: Erik Boman, boman__no_spam__sccm.stanford.edu
