Get OUT! The Newsletter of the Ventana GLS March, 2003 Volume 2, No 3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Message from the Chair Seeking Organized Adventurers 2. Announcements Next GovCom meeting 3. Outings and events this month 4. Outings and events beyond 5. Rating system for outings 6. Waivers 7. Who we are, subscription info, other details ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR SEEKING ORGANIZED ADVENTURERS! by Wen Minkoff, Chair Is all your outdoor gear alphabetized and color-coded? Do you make place cards for potlucks? Want to meet new people and visit exciting locales such as the Seabright Beach and Santa Cruz Pride? Or do you have a great idea you'd like to see us implement, such as that "nothing but an apron" bonfire cook off you've been dreaming about? Whatever your talent, we want you! Ventana GLS has some great events coming up, and we'd love your help planning them. This is a fun, rewarding and *short term* commitment. Help us organize our participation in Santa Cruz Pride in June (marching contingent and booth). Choose the menu for our annual member beach bonfire (sometime in July). Make your favorite campground the destination spot for a fabulous GLS camping trip later in the summer. The current Governing Committee already has lots of experience with these events, and we've saved all our lists (we're organization fiends, too), so figuring out what to do is pretty easy. (If you pulled out your calendar to jot down these events, we definitely need you!) Please consider helping out. It's not a large time commitment. There are multiple ways to get involved help plan an event, take on a task or two from the Pride "to do" list, or volunteer the day of an event. Contact Deb Vitale (deborah_vitale2003@yahoo.com) for more info. Thanks. We'll see you on the trail! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. ANNOUNCEMENTS NEXT GOVERNING COMMITTEE MEETING Thursday, March 27, 730-930 PM. We meet at the Sierra Club Office in Santa Cruz (1001 Center Street, next to Actors' Theater), and our meetings are open to all Ventana GLS members. (Please RSVP ahead of time at the e-mail below, or with one of the GovCom members. We occasionally have last-minute changes of our meeting place.) To place an item on the GovCom agenda, or find out more about how Ventana GLS works, contact ventana_gls_info@yahoo.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. OUTINGS & EVENTS THIS MONTH March, 2003 These are events led by Ventana GLS Outing Leaders. We've also included events in the Santa Cruz/Monterey area led by other GLS groups, and some (but not all) of the wonderful outings hosted by Loma Prieta GLS. Ventana GLS events are listed at our Web site (http//ventana.sierraclub.org/gls ). Loma Prieta GLS events are listed at (http//lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/gls/index.html). We cross list many of our events. Saturday, March 1, 2003 1030 AM CASTLE ROCK HIGHLIGHTS HIKE 2A2 Do you like surprises? Then come join Wen and Andria on this "surprise route" hike. We'll walk between 5-8 miles, with less than 1,000 feet elevation gain. We guarantee good conversation, lovely views, and a peek at the hole-filled "Swiss cheese" sandstone rocks for which Castle Rock is known. We might even see a waterfall! Wear your boots and bring plenty of water, snacks/lunch, sunscreen, a sunhat, an extra layer, and rain gear. Meet at the Castle Rock parking lot at 1030. $3/car use fee will be collected by the park service. Contact Wen for carpool information. Heavy rain cancels. Leader Wen Minkoff (wen@qbabe.com), co-leader Andria Michele Wood (graceandease@yahoo.com) Wednesday, March 5, 6PM UPPER UCSC NIGHT WALK Rating 1A2 Join GLS for a night walk on the beautiful trails of Upper UCSC. We'll travel 4-5 miles, with minimal elevation gain/loss. Wear boots or sturdy sneakers with tread. Bring water, a snack, rain gear and a flashlight. (We will be hiking in the dark, so check those batteries.) Meet at the parking lot behind the Fire Station on UCSC's campus. Contact leaders for directions. Heavy rain cancels. Leader Wen Minkoff (wen@qbabe.com), co-leader Andria Michele Wood (graceandease@yahoo.com) Saturday March 8, 1030 AM - 230 PM SANTA TERESA BEGINNER HIKE PLUS OPTION FOR MORE Rating 1A2/2A2 (3.5 miles, with option to extend to 7.5 miles) Looking for a good hike to get you back into shape? Come join use for a slow pace hike around the Stile Ranch and Fortini Trail Loop in Santa Teresa County Park. The loop will return us back to the cars in about 3.5 miles at about 1215 AM. If that is a warm up hike for you, we will continue at a faster pace up to Coyote Peak for stunning views of the south valley, returning on Rocky Ridge trail. Wear layers (it can get breezy at the peak), and good boots or steady sneakers with tread. Bring along a snack/lunch and water. Meet at the parking area by the corrals at the end road. $4 for parking is required, and carpooling is recommended. Take US 101 or Highway 85 to the Bernal Road exit. Proceed west 1.3 miles on Bernal Road and cross Santa Teresa Boulevard toward the Santa Teresa Hills. Bernal Road continues past the park's Santa Teresa Golf Club, winding up into the hills, and left at the park entrance. Co-Listed with SBL Leader Sondra Moore (sondra@411powertools.com) Co-Leader is Joanne (joyousjoanne@msn.com). (This is a Loma Prieta GLS event.) Sunday, March 9, 900 a.m.-130 p.m. BEGINNING BIRDING OUTING Rating 2A1 (probably) If you like birds but you're not sure about birding, come and join Marcia and Kate to check out some of Santa Cruz's great springtime birding spots. We're beginning birders ourselves, so we don't promise expertise, but we have patience, enthusiasm, and good information about where to go. From our meeting place, we'll set up carpool caravans and travel to two or three other spots. Our stops will involve a good deal of strolling and standing, but very little true hiking, so this will be a physically mild outing. With luck, we'll see a good range of our feathered friends and all of us will learn a little more about our natural environment. Bring binoculars (beg, borrow or steal if you must), bird guides if you have them, lunch and water, layered clothes. Wear hiking boots or good sneakers with sturdy tread. Meet at the Lighthouse at 701 West Cliff Drive. Leaders Marcia Quackenbush (marciaqjazz@yahoo.com) and Kate Goodnight (kategoodnight@hotmail.com). Saturday, March 15, 1000 AM QUAIL HOLLOW BROOM BASH AND POSY MOSEY Rating 1A2 We'll celebrate early spring by restoring habitat with volunteers from the California Native Plant Society. We will pull invasive, non- native French broom plants at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park in Ben Lomond. Broom pulling can be very satisfying! Quail Hollow is home to several species of rare and endangered plants and animals as well as the inland sandhills plant communities, which are considered to be some of the rarest types of habitat in the world. Optional GLS stroll to look for early-season wildflowers after the restoration is done at 100 PM. Please bring gloves, comfortable, layered clothing, raingear, sturdy shoes, water, and lunch. We'll be there rain or shine, but if things get particularly unpleasant, we'll call it a day. No-host Santa Cruz carpool meets at the County Building parking lot at Ocean and Water at 915 am and leaves at 930 am. Directions to Quail Hollow can be found at the park's website http//www.scparks.com/parkfac/quail.shtml. Co-listed with BiOutdoors. Leaders Laura Goodhue (lpgoodhue@earthlink.net), Adreanna Riley (saadrean@sarc.org). Saturday, March 29 - Sunday, March 30 OHLONE WILDERNESS BACKPACK Rating 3D2 (Saturday) /3C2 (Sunday) Welcome the coming of spring with an overnight backpack through the Ohlone Wilderness. Starting in Sunol Regional Park near Fremont, on Saturday we'll hike to a campsite below Rose Peak, the second-highest point in Alameda County. On Sunday, we'll hike out to the eastern trailhead in Del Valle Regional Park, stopping for some well-earned relaxation at Murietta Falls on the way. Each day is about 10 miles, with close to 4000 feet of elevation gain on Saturday and about 2000 on Sunday. Spectacular views, wildflowers, stars, and good company highlight this trip. The trip is limited to 8 people. Contact John for more information or to sign up. There is a small fee (about $5) for the campsite. Leaders John Wilkinson jfwilkinson@sbcglobal.net, Cathy Roberts cdrdash@attbi.com. (This is a Loma Prieta GLS event.) 4. OUTINGS & EVENTS BEYOND THIS MONTH Wednesday, April 2, 6PM UPPER WILDER/GRAY WHALE NIGHT HIKE Rating 1A2 or 2A2, depending on speed of group Join Wen and Herbie as they explore the quieter side of Wilder. We'll hike around 6 miles, with minimal elevation gain/loss. Wear boots or sturdy sneakers with tread. Bring water, a snack, rain gear and a flashlight (we will be hiking in the dark, so check those batteries!) Meet at the Chinquapin trailhead on Empire Grade. Contact leader for directions. Heavy rain cancels. Leader Wen Minkoff (wen@qbabe.com). Co-leader Herbie Lee (herbie@cats.ucsc.edu). Saturday, April 5th, 330 PM - 700 PM HENRY COE SUNSET HIKE and POTLUCK Rating 2B2 (6 miles/1300') Join us at Henry W. Coe State Park and enjoy spring flowers and a potluck meal while watching the 634 p.m. sunset with breathtaking views of the valley. We'll hike through wooded areas of oak, madrone, and giant manzanita; starting on the springs trail towards Bass Pond, and then taking the Forest Trail loop back. For the sunset, we'll head to Eric's Bench on Monument Trail to enjoy the potluck meal. Bring a potluck item that is easy to share, sturdy shoes, water and a working flashlight. Dress in layers. Heavy rain cancels, light rain does not. $2/vehicle parking fee. Meet at 240 PM at the Cottle Road Park-n-Ride for carpooling, or at the Corral Trailhead at 330 PM - see directions on the Henry Coe website http//www.coepark.parks.ca.gov/directions.html. Leaders Sondra Moore (sondra@411powertools.com), co-leader Andria Michele Wood (graceandease@yahoo.com). (This is a Loma Prieta GLS event.) Thursday, April 10, 600 PM POGONIP DOG FRIENDLY WEEKNIGHT HIKE Rating 2A2 Pogonip is one of the few natural areas around Santa Cruz with a good selection of dog-friendly trails. People like them, too! The trails are varied, and there is some elevation gain and loss (a few hundred feet). Hikers of all abilities are welcome, as are well-behaved dogs (dogs must remain on leash at all times). Depending on the pace of the group, we'll cover 4-6 miles. Sunset is at 739, with a 58% moon transiting at 825. So if it's clear, we'll have good light. Bring an operating flashlight anyway (always!). And bring along some water and a snack. Wear layered clothes ("Pogonip" means "icy fog," after all), and hiking boots or sturdy sneakers with tread. Meet at the Spring Street entrance. Contact Sondra for carpool planning from Los Gatos. Leaders Marcia Quackenbush (marciaqjazz@yahoo.com), Sondra Moore (sondra@411powertools.com). Wednesday, April 16, 6PM UPPER UC AND WILDER FULL MOON NIGHT HIKE Rating 2A2 Does this sound fabulous? We have sunset at 744 and a full moon rising at 811. That's worth getting outdoors to see! Join us for a hike along the UC section of the Chinquapin trail, on over into Upper Wilder Ranch and around the Eucalyptus Loop. The full hike will be about 9 miles and involves a couple miles of dark trails, even with the full moon (we'll be under the trees). Shortcut version Meet at the Empire Grade trailhead at roughly 645 (we should be there between 645 and 700), and do the 6 mile Chinquapin Trail-to- Eucalyptus Loop only. (If you're shortcutting, let us know so we look for you.) Bring water, snack and an operating flashlight (required). Contact leaders for directions. Heavy rain cancels. Leaders Marcia Quackenbush (marciaqjazz@yahoo.com) and Kate Goodnight (kategoodnight@hotmail.com). Wednesday, April 23, 6PM UPPER WILDER/GRAY WHALE POTLUCK HIKE Rating 1A2 or 2A2, depending on speed of group What is better than a gorgeous evening hike at Upper Wilder Ranch? A gorgeous evening hike that includes food! We'll hike from the Chinquapin Trailhead on Empire Grade to the picnic tables at the Eucalyptus Grove. After dinner, those with enough energy will tackle the Eucalyptus Loop. We will hike approximately 6 miles, with minimal elevation gain/loss. Wear boots or sturdy sneakers with tread. Bring water, a potluck dish to share, your own place setting (plate/bowl and silverware), rain gear and a flashlight. The hike will likely end in the dark, so check those batteries! Meet at the Chinquapin trailhead on Empire Grade. Contact leader for directions. Heavy rain cancels. Leader Wen Minkoff (wen@qbabe.com). Co-leader Kieren Jameson. Saturday, April 26, 930 a.m.-330 p.m. PT. LOBOS DAYDREAMS AND POETRY Rating 2A2 Come to Big Sur for an amazing day! In the past, we've had up to 20 people join us on the extraordinary 6 mile Pt. Lobos perimeter loop hike. We've seen spectacular cliffs, beautiful coves, sea otters, and herons. Binoculars recommended! We're including a literary component for this event, so bring a brief poem or prose piece from a favorite author if you'd like. You can also just come to walk, listen and daydream. We'll stop at several particularly scenic places and read for a few minutes (think "mobile salon"). Keep the pieces short - 2 minutes is a good guideline, although we welcome pithy one-liners and very short poems as well. Nature themes encouraged. Bring lunch, water, sunblock, hat, hiking shoes or sneakers, an extra layer and rain jacket. There is a day use fee, around $3/car. Carpooling Santa Cruz Meet at the Government Center (corner of Ocean and Water) at 800 a.m. for prompt 815 departure. Carpooling Monterey Meet by the old Crossroads Theater at Rio Road in Carmel at 900 a.m. Otherwise, meet us at the Sea Lion Point parking area at 930. Warning These parking areas sometimes fill early. If you arrive late, we'll be start along Sea Lion Point Trail, heading in a generally southern direction towards China Cove. More information about Point Lobos at http//pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us . Leaders Wen Minkoff wen@qbabe.com; Marcia Quackenbush marciaqjazz@yahoo.com; Kim Fitzpatrick kim_dove@hotmail.com. June 22 to June 29, 2003 WOMEN'S LAKE EXTRAVAGANZA EMIGRANT WILDERNESS BACKPACK TRIP National Sierra Club Event. Trip cost $495 If you wish you were far away dipping your feet in a high alpine mountain stream with majestic mountains at your side then this Emigrant Wilderness trip is for you. Women of all orientations are invited to join us to discover the beauty of pristine lakes surrounded by polished granite. Encountering snow-capped mountains, expansive meadows, and plenty of lakes, we'll travel both on and off- trail through mid-range forests and high alpine country. Share the High Sierra and fabulous vegetarian cuisine with other adventurous women like you. Take a look at the trip brochure for more information www.sierraclub.org. (Click on get outdoors, search for trip, and enter trip# 03267) or go directly to http//www.sierraclub.org/outings/national/brochure/03267A.asp (Please note There are a number of people signed up already, but we will have a wait list if it fills, so don't let that discourage you. Last time some of the wait-listed folks got to go). Leaders Sharon Goldau (RangerGrl@aol.com) Wen Minkoff (wen@qbabe.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. RATING SYSTEM Example Rating "3B2" breaks down to a Distance of 10-15 miles, Elevation gain/loss of 1001-2000 feet, and Terrain of rough trail (boots recommended). The first number indicates the number of miles 1 = less than 5 miles 2 = 5-10 miles 3 = 10-15 miles 4 = 15-20 miles 5 = more than 20 miles The second letter indicates cumulative elevation gain A = less than 1000 feet B = 1001-2000 feet C = 2001-3000 feet D = 3001-4000 feet E = more than 4000 feet The last number indicates type of terrain 1 = road or smooth trail 2 = rough trail (boots recommended) 3 = trail with some cross-country 4 = cross-country 5 = special equipment needed ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. WAIVERS All participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver. If you would like to read the liability waiver before you choose to participate on an outing, refer to http//www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms or contact the Outings Department at (415) 977-5630 for a printed version. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. WHO WE ARE, SUBSCRIPTION INFO, OTHER DETAILS VENTANA GLS is the Gay/Lesbian Sierrans section of the Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club, covering Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. We welcome participation by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals and our allies. Our goals are to increase appreciation of the environment, encourage members to inform themselves and act on environmental and conservation issues, and offer opportunities for outings and events that build appreciation for and commitment to the environment (and to have a fabulous time while we're doing it!). HOW TO CONTACT US E-mail at ventana_gls_info@yahoo.com. Snail mail to GLS/Ventana Chapter, PO Box 604, Santa Cruz CA 95061-0604. MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION You can become a GLS member by joining the Sierra Club and GLS. Membership is not required to participate in outings or receive the e-newsletter. It is required if you want to become an outing leader, vote in GLS elections or serve on the GLS Governing Committee Board. Get more information by e-mailing membership chair Marcia Quackenbush at marciaqjazz@yahoo.com. We can send you a membership form by e-mail or snail mail. MAKE A DONATION. You can make a donation to Ventana GLS or the Sierra Club. For GLS, make checks payable to "Ventana GLS" and send to the attention of our treasurer at the snail mail address above. For the Sierra Club, make checks payable to "Sierra Club" and send to Sierra Club, P.O. Box 5296, Boulder CO 80322-2968. BECOME AN OUTING LEADER. It's easy to do (co-lead two hikes with an official outing leader, take an approved first aid course, submit an application), and leadership is tremendously rewarding. You don't have to be a super-athlete or ultra-outdoor type, and you don't have to commit large amounts of time. Our primary qualification for leadership is that you enjoy being with others in some of the beautiful natural areas around Santa Cruz. Our requirements are posted at our Web site (http//ventana.sierraclub.org/gls). Anyone can co-lead a hike with an official outing leader. If you don't feel ready to make the Big Commitment, join us as a co-leader. Talk to Wen Minkoff, Kieren Jameson, Deborah Vitale, Laura Goodhue, Sondra Moore or Marcia Quackenbush for details. CARPOOLING INFORMATION We encourage carpooling to outings and events. Santa Cruz carpool locations include the Long's Lot on Mission Street (1700 Mission; meet in the lot, park on the street if you're not driving) and the County Building at Ocean and Water Streets. The Sierra Club assumes no responsibility concerning transportation. Carpooling is at the sole risk of the participants, both driver and passengers. QUESTIONS ABOUT SPECIFIC OUTINGS Contact the leader listed in the description. Be aware that last-minute e-mails may not be received by leaders before the events. When possible, make contact a couple of days before an event.