Club Information

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Spring 1998 Calendar

• Time: 7:00pm
• Place: English room of the Becthel International Center

If you have trip suggestions but can't come to the meeting, please send your ideas by e-mail to Arturo (crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu). before the meeting.

New prospective "members" are welcome to come and learn about the club.

• Length of hike: 6 miles
• Elevation gain: 2100 feet
• Meet: 5:00 pm at the Bechtel Center, Stanford
• Driving: approx. 1 hr each way

We'll start the hike from the southern entrance of Mission Peak Regional Preserve. We'll make a loop, starting on the Peak Meadow Trail, to Horse Heaven trail, and up the Peak Trail. On the way down, we'll come back on Hidden Valley Trail.

The pace going uphill will be relatively slow, as a 2100' climb over such a short distance is a bit steeper than the typical Outing Club hike.

IMPORTANT: Every hiker must bring at least one _working_ flashlight. We'll have moonlight on the way down, but there will be areas where the moonlight just isn't enough.

Also, it can get pretty breezy at the summit, so bring a light jacket.

Please contact the leader if you wish to arrange to meet the group at Mission Peak Regional Preserve, instead of at the Bechtel International Center.

Trip "leader": Arturo Crespo crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu ph: (650) 723-9273

• Length of Hike: 8.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1800 feet
• Park Web Page
• Optional dinner in the way home.
• Driving Time: approx. 1:45 (each way)
• Meet: 8am at the Bechtel I-Center, Stanford.

Trailhead: End of Mitchell Canyon Road, north entrance to park, near the townof Clayton.

Trail Statistics: The hike for the advanced or unusually determined hiker that gives the real "feel" of the mountain. 8.6 mile loop, 1800 foot climb. Strenuous climb.

Description: Just about everything the mountain park has to offer: lush wildflower-strewn meadows, narrow canyons with characteristic stream-side vegetation, magnificent groves of Coulter and digger (gray) pines, some of the greatest birding areas, rugged mountain scenery, and endless sunswept panoramas of northern California. Follow Mitchell Canyon fire road to Deer Flat, turn left at junction and continue steeply up to Murchio Gap. Beyond this point watch for Meridian Ridge fire road which descends steeply to the left into donner Canyon. Turn left again at Donner Canyon fire road; follow this road to first fire road across open grassland which will take you back to the Mitchell Canyon staging area.

Note: the trip "leader" has not done this hike before. Also, everything in the description is weather dependent, nothing is guaranteed. (in other words, don't complain to me if we don't get "lush wildflower-strewn meadows", or "sunswept panoramas")

Trip "leader": I-Ching Chang (I-Ching.Chang__no_spam__stellexms.com)

Sign ups for the Henry Coe Backpacking Trip are open. This will be a 2 day backpacking trip leaving early on Saturday morning and returning on Sunday evening. We don't know yet the exact route that we are going to follow, but we are expecting to hike about 10 miles each day. The park is very hilly, so expect a lot of ups and downs.

We will start from the South entrance of the park, which opens only once a year. To get a permit for this area, a lottery was conducted. We were only able to secure 2 permits, which are good for up to 8 people.

Backpacking experience is required for this trip.

Park Description: Henry W. Coe State Park is the largest state park in northern California (east of Gilroy), with over 81,000 acres of wild open spaces. The terrain of the park is rugged, varied, and beautiful, with lofty ridges and steep canyons. Once the home of Ohlone Indians, the park is now home to a fascinating variety of plants and animals, including the elusive mountain lion. Within Coe Park are the headwaters of Coyote Creek, long stretches of the Pacheco and Orestimba creeks, and a 23,300-acre wilderness area.

How to sign up: To sign up send a message by Monday 5pm to crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu. Please include in the message the following information:

• Name
• Sex
• Phone
• Backpacking equipment you have (tent, sleeping bag, stove, water filter, etc.).

If we are able to offer you a spot in this trip, we will contact you by email on Tuesday.

Note: The opening of the South Entrance might be cancelled by the California Department of Parks and Recreation due to "El Nino" damage to the roads. We will know by April 21th if the entrance will be opened or not.

Trip Leaders: Erik Boman (boman__no_spam__sccm.Stanford.EDU) and Vijay Raghavan (vijay__no_spam__RedBrick.COM)

• Length of hike: 8.5 or 12 miles (see below)
• Elevation gain: 1400 ft (total).
• Meet: 8:00 am at the Bechtel Center, Stanford, or 9:00 at Saratoga Gap Vista Point Parking Lot
• Driving time: 50 min (each way)

Trip "Leader": Mike Bistko, ph: (408) 457-8633.

• Location: Palo Alto Foothills Park (3300 Page Mill Road, Los Altos Hills)
• Driving Time: approx. 20 min each way
• Length of Hike: approx. 10 miles
• Elevation Gain: less than 1000 ft (but it'll be hilly).
• Park home page
• Rain Policy: rain cancels the hike
• Meet: 9:30am at the Bechtel International Center, Stanford

Foothills Park is a 1,400-acre nature preserve open only to Palo Alto residents and their accompanied guests. It has 15 miles of trail. The park's main feature is the Las Trampas Valley, a large meadow between two wooded ridges. (Arturo tells me that Las Trampas is Spanish for "the traps"; the Costanoan Indians trapped grizzly bears in the area.) The only man-made additions are the Interpretive Center, the 12-acre Boronda Lake, and a system of roads and hiking trails. Meet at 9:30am at the International Center. Be prepared for muddy, slippery and/or washed out trails. We will start with the Los Tranchos Trail ("popular with vigorous hikers, this trail offers a variety of magnificent scenery"), and (if people are still willing) continue with the Toyon, Woodrat, and Chamise trails and/or visit the Interpretive Center.

Trip "leader": Frank Tompa (tompa__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu, phone (650) 725-4312[w], (650) 850-0623[h])

• Location: Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hill
• Driving Time: approx. 30 min each way
• Length of Hike: approx. 3 miles
• Elevation Gain: less than 500 ft.
• Meet: 3:30pm at the Bechtel International Center, Stanford

Afterward, we'll head to the famous Alpine Inn (which generations of Stanford-ites have frequented),for beer, etc. Hike length: an easy 3 miles. Will take about 1.5 hours once we're there, as we can check out the farm and animals, also.

Trip "leader": Suzanne Bohan (sbohan__no_spam__leland.Stanford.EDU)

• Location: Near the town of Pescadero
• Length of hike: 10-12 miles
• Elevation diff: approx 1500ft (of each uphill and downhill)
• Meet: 8:00am at the Bechtel Center, Stanford (Alternate at the park parking lot at 9:15)
• 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 10-12 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 Goat Trail and the beutiful six-bridge trail. Bring a sweater or jacket since it can be chilly/windy near the coast even if it is nice and warm around the bay. Because of recent rainfall the trails may be muddy. Hiking boots are recommended. Optional stop in Pescadero for snacks or dinner.

The drive to the park entrance is about 70 minutes. You can take Sand Hill Rd to La Honda Rd (HW 84) over to HW1 South. After a few miles on HW1 South, take a left on Pescadero Rd. Shortly after that, take a right on Cloverdale Rd and follow the signs to Butano park.

Trip "leader": Mike Bistko (ph: (408) 457-8633).

• Location: Los Trancos Open Space Preserve (Palo Alto)
• Driving Time: approx. 40 min each way
• Length of Hike: approx. 2 miles
• Elevation Gain: less than 500 ft (but hilly)
• Meet: 3:30pm at the Bechtel International Center, Stanford

This is an intriguing preserve that shows ample evidence of the 1906 quake in the natural terrain, such as sag ponds, fault benches,a reconstructed fence that shows how much the earth shifted, and one very torn-up tree that is still alive (this tree straddled both tectonic plates, and is very bizzare-looking). Inn afterward TBD. Hike: 2 miles, easy. Some hills. 1.5 hours; includes some descriptions of the geology.

Trip "leader": Suzanne Bohan (sbohan__no_spam__leland.Stanford.EDU)

Because Mike's back yard cannot fit all 600 people on our mailing list, we will limit participation in this event to 25 people. If you would like to come, please RSVP to Arturo Crespo (email: crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu, phone 967-4039(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 BBQ 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 (although we never know in a El Nino 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 Arturo know and we might even organize a South Bay carpool.

For further questions, email Arturo at crespo__no_spam__cs.stanford.edu or call Mike at 408-457-8633.

• Location: San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex
• Driving Time: approx 1:45 each way
• Length of Hike: 4 miles
• Elevation Gain: none
• Meet: Sunday 3:30am (yes, it's not a typo, it's 3:30am) at the Stanford Bechtel International Center.

Let's go to hike and watch wildlife at San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This hike starts very early, because we want to get there before sunrise, to see most wildlife. I realize there may not be any interest because of early start time, but, hey, we can catch up on sleep later that day, or when we grow old (which I personally don't have in my plans)!

Plan:

1. Depart at 3:30am sharp from Bechtel International Center.
2. Arrive at San Luis Refuge around 5:15am.
3. Take the Waterfowl Tour Car Route.
4. When see birds, stop, enjoy, eat breakfast.
5. Hike the Chester Marsh Trail with side trip to San Joaquin River - 1.5 miles.
6. Hike the Winton Marsh Trail and climb an observation platform - 0.75 miles.
7. Drive around Tule Elk enclosure and watch the elk.

Finally, drive to Merced National Wildlife Refuge and take the car tour route - 5.2 miles (it is prohibited to hike the route to not disturb the wildlife - the vehicle is your best blind!).

Aha, at the end we can go to Los Banos and eat lunch in a famous rustic restaurant there.

Back around 3pm, I think, but it is very hard to predict. Certainly will be back by evening.

The hiking is flat.

Rain does not cancel but enhances the wildlife experience!

Trip "leader": Mark Galecki (650-327-1200) (marek__no_spam__greenspring.com)

• Length of hike: 8-10 miles
• Elevation gain: Mostly flat :-)
• Meet: 8:30 am at the Bechtel Center, Stanford.
• Driving time: 1h 45 min (each way)

Pt. Reyes National Seashore is located north of San Francisco and is one of the most beautiful and popular recreational areas in the Bay Area. We start this hike at the Palomarin trailhead, near Bolinas. From there we follow the Coastal Trail north, passing several small lakes. If the weather is clear we will have great views of the Pacific Ocean. We take a small detour to see the spectacular Alamere Falls. If the tide is low we can go down to the beach and view the falls from below. But at high tide, this waterfall drops straight into the ocean! We continue north to Wildcat Beach where we have our lunch break. Since going up to the Ridge Trail would make the hike too long and strenuous, we will follow mostly the same trails back to Palomarin.

As always, bring lunch and plenty to drink. The weather along the coast is notoriously unpredictable, so be prepared for both chilly, windy conditions and nice, sunny weather.

This hike covers the southern part of the hike we did last year. You can find some nice photos from that hike here.

If you would like to join us at the trailhead, please contact Erik for directions. Note that it is a bit tricky to find the Palomarin trailhead since the roads there are poorly marked.

Trip "leader": Erik Boman, boman__no_spam__sccm.stanford.edu (ph 650-493-5009)

• Meet: *7:15am* at the Bechtel Center, Stanford
• Length of hike: 6 miles
• Elevation diff: 700 ft.
• Kayaking: from 9am to 11:30am
• Driving time: 90 miles (each way)
• Cost: $20 per person (plus carpool cost and park entrance)

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Read below.

In this trip, we will first kayak by Santa Cruz (9:00-11:30), and then we will hike in the Henry Cowell Redwoods.

We will start kayaking in the Monterey Bay (by Santa Cruz). We will begin near the wharf and pass by seals and otters as we glide through the waters near Lighthouse Point. Single and double kayaks will be available. The cost include the kayak equipment, instruction and a guide. No kayaking experience is necessary (basic instruction is included in the cost). Note that, there are very limited facilities at the rental place (no showers).

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located near Felton in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We start at the Park Headquarters. We follow the River and Rincon trails through redwood forest to the San Lorenzo river. We will wade across the river one or two times. There are no bridges! Normally the water is about knee-deep at this time of year, but it could possibly be higher (especially for short people...) We suggest you bring a pair of sandals (e.g. Teva's) or similar to use for the river crossings since you don't want to get your hiking boots all wet and walking barefoot could be uncomfortable.

Optional dinner at Santa Cruz after the hike.

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 (650) 723-9273 (o) and 967-4039(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 16 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)

Distance:       11 miles
---------
Elevation gain: There is some elevation gain twice (before and after 
--------------- the lunch) and there a descent that many do not call 
                mostly flat :)
Trip "leader":  Jarek Baryeka (jinx__no_spam__psych.stanford.edu)
--------------
Departure:      9:00 a.m. (please be on time) at the Bechtel 
----------      Center, Stanford (if you live significantly north of Stanford 
                please contact the trip "leader" for an alternate 10:30 a.m. 
                meeting place in Marin)

Driving time:   1.5 hours each way
-------------
Other:          - Some siesta and beach gear (frisbee, chocolate, etc :) may be
------            useful
                - There is a source of drinkable water near Muir Beach 
                - Bring some money for carpool, Golden Gate tool and for the
                  optional San Francisco dinner
                - In the San Francisco area it is always a good idea to have 
                  some warm clothes but considering the current weather 
                  it is useful to bring a sufficient quantity of water too 
                  (not much shade there)
Description:
------------

Join us for a visit to the hills and beaches of the Marin Headlands, just north
of the Golden Gate Bridge. We will do a loop trip that includes Muir Beach,
Pirates' Cove and Tennessee Beach. The terrain is hilly and open with great 
ocean vistas. We will pass through a Zen center featuring an organic farm and a
Buddhist bell (that we are not supposed to ring :). This is one of our most 
popular hikes.