Download the printable hike schedule for events through June here!

Thursday, April 5
Hike: GARZAS CREEK
Our 4.5 mile loop with 800 ft. elevation gain takes us through a redwood canyon and along Garzas Creek with six picturesque crossings. Stops to enjoy flora & fauna. Bring water & lunch. Arrive early; we depart at 10:00 a.m. from Rio Road Park & Ride in Carmel. Call for a reservation. Leader: Lynn Bomberger, 375-7777.

Sunday, April 8
Hike: LAST CHANCE FALLS
For adventurous and experienced hikers, we will hike to view Last Chance Falls, the most spectacular waterfall in the Ventana Wilderness with Santa Lucia Creek free-falling 120 feet into a pool below.[photo at http://ventanahiking.net/SIERRACLUB/]. Strenuous, all day hike. 17miles with 3900 ft elevation gain, leaving Salinas at 6a.m. Whether we get our feet wet depends upon the height of the water in the creek. In case you are interested, you must call me for further information. Leader: Jack Glendening, 484-6929.

Monday, April 9
Hike: PACHECO STATE PARK
Near the top of Pacheco Pass is a windswept area of rolling hills,secluded meadows, and in the spring fabulous wildflowers. We'll walk a leisurely loop of 5 or 6 miles with some steep ups and downs. Bring lunch, water, sturdy shoes and maybe your camera. Meet at 9 a.m. at the far end of the parking lot in front of REI (next to the wall) in Marina. Santa Cruz area hikers may meet at 9 a.m. at 41st Avenue Sears (no leader) and make their own way to the park. Take Hwy 152 east to Pacheco Pass, turn right on Dinosaur Point Rd then soon the park entrance is on your right. We should be at Pacheco State Park parking area (fee) by 10.30 a.m. Leaders: Cath Farrant and Mary Dainton, 372 7427.

Wednesday, April 11
Hike: MILL CREEK REDWOOD PRESERVE
5-1/2 miles, 300 ft elevation gain, moderate pace. In and out hike along a beautifully terraced trail to a scenic coastal overlook. Bring water and lunch. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at 'Park & Ride' on Rio Road in Carmel, near Bank of America. Please let me know if you are coming. Leader: Gisela Nobinger or 831 393-4983.

Saturday, April 14
Walk: MISSION TRAILS
This outing is about 2-3 miles long with 300' elevation gain. We'll start at the bottom of the canyon on Rio Road across from the Carmel Mission. We will make an elongated loop with possibly some city streets as part of the route. If there is no fog, there will be a nice view of the Mission dome. We'll make a stop by the controversial Flanders Mansion. Meet at 9 a.m. at the trailhead. Call me for more information and a place. Leader: Martha Saylor, 372-9215.

Saturday, April 14
Chapter Event: EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT LOCKE-PADDON COMMUNITY WETLAND PARK IN MARINA
Come early to join Chapter members in a Club sponsored event promoting beautification projects, fun family activity booths with interactive and educational information on healthy living and environmental awareness, craft activities and freebies. Registration starts at 8:30, service projects are from 9-11. Free lunch for service project volunteers!

Projects will include: plant restoration painting fences and benches and cleanup of the park. Families welcome. Supervision and tools provided. Wear layers, sunscreen, hat, work clothes, and bring water.

Phone Emily Howard, for Return of the Natives Volunteer Coordinator at 831-582-3687 if you are interested in volunteering in the service projects.

Locke-Paddon Park is located just off Reservation Road (from Highway 1), adjacent to the Marina Library. For more information email:

Sunday, April 15
Hike: GARZAS CANYON
The Terrace Trail at Garland Ranch has fabulous flowers in early spring. After a nicely contoured walk on a narrow trail above the creek, we drop steeply down to the creek, walk gently down the stream, and finally take a steep but short climb back out. Our slow pace makes this hike easy for some, moderate for others. Bring lunch,water, good foot gear, and a stick for steadying on steep hills. Meet at the Garland Ranch parking lot on C.V. Road at 9:30 to get organized; hike will start from the trailhead at 10 a.m. More info from leader. Leader: Mary Gale, 626-3565.

Saturday, April 21
Hike: Henry Cowell State Park, Fall Creek Unit
Consider this a memorial for Sheila Dunniway, who routinely did Sierra Club walks as a leader to the barrel mill site in Fall Creek. It will be a variation on her standard walk by going up the Lost Empire Trail from the trailhead just above and fairly close to the kilns, turning right on the recently added cut-off trail to the Barrel Mill and then looping back. Probably 6 miles and 1200 feet of elevation gain. There is one small log crossing of Fall creek, so be prepared for a maybe wet foot crossing if the log is no longer there. Call me for meeting time and place, or if you have questions. Leader: Nick Wyckoff, (831) 462-3101.

Sunday, April 22
Hike: PINNACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT
This 5-mile loop on the High Peaks Trail from the West entrance with about 1500' elevation gain and loss offers spectacular views of this remarkable area. There should be flowers and perhaps condors! Bring water and lunch. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in Monterey to carpool for the 1 hour drive to Soledad. Call for more information. Leader: DJ Goehring, 277-9908.

Thursday, April 26
Hike: Toro County Park
About 6 miles with about 800 ft. elevation gain, moderate pace. We will hike along the Ollason trail to the view under the oak trees for lunch and will return the same way. Bring water & lunch. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at the dirt parking area outside the Toro Park entrance. Please, let me know if you are coming. Leader: Gisela Nobinger, 393-4983 .

Sunday, April 29
Hike: Mal Paso to Rocky Ridge
We'll meander up a private road above Mal Paso Creek, eventually crossing the Creek, and then up a steep ridgeback, and finally through some redwood groves to the Rocky Ridge Trail. We'll end our circuit near Soberanes Creek. A beautiful, rugged 5-6 miles with 1000' of elevation gain. Bring lunch, water, and good hiking boots. Call early for reservations, meeting time and place. Leader : Larry Parrish, 622-7455.

Saturday, May 5
Walk: Asilomar-Pebble Beach
4 mile hike loop, starting on neighborhood streets and then thru dunes, out to Point Joe and back along the beach boardwalk. Beach wild flowers, possible wildlife to be seen. Meet across from the Fishwife Restaurant on Sunset Drive and Asilomar Blvd., Pacific Grove at 9 a.m. Back about noon, bring snack and water. Call me to reserve a space. Leader: Martha Saylor, 372-9215.

Sunday, May 6
Hike: Silver Peak Loop
For strong and adventurous hikers only, we will make a loop in the Silver Peak Wilderness, signing the summit register atop Silver Peak. The Silver Peak Wilderness is more open than much of the Ventana, with views of cinnamon-colored rocks, stands of Santa Lucia pines, and possibly a still-running waterfall. On a clear day one can see to the Pinnacles and even the Sierras from Silver Peak. A very strenuous, long-day hike - 15 miles with 4400 ft gain and light-to-medium bushwhacking over the 0.5 mile "secret trail" section, depending upon its current condition. Must call for meeting time and place. Leader: Jack Glendening, 484-6929.

Thursday, May 10
Walk: Point Lobos for Amateur Photographers
About 5 miles with minimal elevation gain, slow pace with many stops. Our goal is to find lots of wildflowers and seascapes to photograph. This is not a workshop. I am not an expert, just an avid amateur. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at the Rio Road Park & Ride in Carmel. Please, let me know if you are coming. Leader: Gisela Nobinger, 393-4983 or .

Saturday, May 12
Hike: East Garland to Kahn Ranch
On this mildly strenuous hike of about 10 miles and 2,000’ gain and loss, we will start from the Little League ball fields in Carmel Valley Village. Before, we had to take one or two cars up Hitchcock Road to the Kahn Ranch to take us out at the end of the hike. We will go up on Laureles, Vasquez and Cougar Ridge trails into the Kahn Ranch where we will do the Hitchcock loop. Better wear light long pants and a blouse, I don’t know how the trails will be, and bring hiking poles. As always, enough water and lunch, don’t forget sun hat and sun protection. Call me for a reservation. Meet at the Safeway parking lot near the Chase bank in Mid Valley at 8 a.m. Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467.

Sunday, May 13
Hike: Pinnacles National Monument
This 5-mile loop on the High Peaks Trail from the West entrance with about 1500' elevation gain and loss offers spectacular views of this remarkable area. There should be flowers and perhaps condors! Bring water and lunch. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in Monterey to carpool for the 1 hour drive to Soledad. Call for more information. Leader: DJ Goehring, 277-9908.

Tuesday, May 15
Hike: Maple Falls
This 7 mile Nisene Marks hike with 700 ft. elevation gain takes us through a lovely forest along beautiful creeks and eventually to serene Maple Falls. Some agility is required. Stops to enjoy flora & fauna. Bring water & lunch. Arrive early; we depart at 8:40 a.m. from the far end of the parking lot in front of REI in Marina or depart from the parking lot behind Aptos Station at 9:30 . Call for a reservation. Leader: Lynn Bomberger, 375-7777.

Saturday, May 19
Hike: Butano State Park
We’ll look for the only wild red-flowered Rhododendron trees that I have ever seen on the Central Coast. The location is off the Butano Fire Road near the airstrip at the top of the park. It will be 6-7 miles with about 1100 feet of elevation gain. Call me for meeting time and place, or if you have questions. Leader: Nick Wyckoff, (831) 462-3101.

Sunday, May 20
Walk: Big Sur Waters
We’ll mosey around several cool places in Big Sur, and finish up with a treat (bring a bit of cash) at the grocery store beside River Inn. Leader will provide a list of options, and we’ll see how many we want to include. None will be very lengthy nor consistently steep. Dress in layers, bring water and lunch or snack, and meet at 9 a.m. For location, call me before hike date, or between 7-8 a.m. that day, if you must. Leader: Mary Gale, 626-3565.

Thursday, May 24
Hike: Carmel Beaches
About 5 miles with minimal elevation gain, moderate pace. We will walk mostly along the ocean as far as Monastery Beach and return the same way. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at Carmel Beach at the end of Ocean Ave in Carmel. Please, let me know if you are coming. Leader: Gisela Nobinger, 393-4983 or .

Friday, May 25
Hike: Veeder Trail and Redwood Canyon
In spring the Veeder trail in Garland Park hosts a profusion of wildflowers. Let’s see if there are some late ones. We’ll meet at the P & R on Rio Road in Carmel at 10 a.m. for carpooling to the trailhead on East Garzas Road. Our loop hike will be only 4 or 5 miles but is very steep both up and down hill. Bring water and lunch which we’ll enjoy at the wildlife pond at the high point of our leisurely paced walk. Leaders: Cath Farrant and Mary Dainton, 372 7427.

Saturday, May 26
Hike: Big Creek/Canogas Falls
The UCSC Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve gave us a reservation to hike up to the High Camp where we will have our lunch break. From here, just with water and a snack, we'll hike down 1,000' to the Canogas Falls, the largest waterfalls deep in the Ventana Wilderness. Back up to High Camp to get fresh water and then down over the meadows with the ocean shimmering beneath us. Just wonderful! A strenuous day with about 14 miles and 3000 feet elevation gain/loss. Bring a hearty lunch and lots of water, hiking poles and a hat. Call for a reservation. Meet at Rio Road P & R in Carmel at 7:30. Also some $$ for entrance fee and carpool gas help. Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467.

Saturday, June 2
Walk: Point Lobos
We’ll start this 4+ mile hike around beautiful Point Lobos at the highway, walk down to Whaler’s Cove, go north to Ixchenta Point and the bedrock mortars, back to visit the Whalers' Cabin, then on to the top of Whaler’s Knoll and return via south coast trails. There will be wild flowers to see and wildlife to watch. Meet at the Rio Road Park & R just east of Hwy 1 at 9 a.m. There will be a short carpool to start of the outing. Bring snack, water, and binoculars if you like for close-ups of the animal life. Call to reserve a space. Leader: Martha Saylor, 372-9215.

Sunday, June 3
Hike: Ventana Wilderness Peaks View
For strong hikers seeking a unique experience, we will climb to the top of Mining Ridge, at 4823 ft higher than many Ventana peaks, for a Ventana panorama. The view looks directly into the Ventana window and encompasses all major Ventana peaks including Junipero Serra, Cone Peak, Ventana Double Cone, Black Cone, Ventana Cone, Black Butte, Pico Blanco, and Pine Ridge - and on a clear day see the Pinnacles' North Chalone Peak and the Sierras. Route will be a loop via scenic Rodeo Flat and Arroyo Seco Trails. A very strenuous, long-day hike leaving Salinas in the early AM and returning after dark - 12 miles with 2700 ft elevation gain over trails which can have some overgrowth and downed trees. You can view panoramic photo from this spot at http://www.ventanahiking.net/PANORAMAS/MiningRidge-glendening.pano360_annotated.quartersize.jpg
Must call for meeting time and place. Leader: Jack Glendening, 484-6929.

Tuesday, June 5
Hike: Pebble Beach
We’ll hike a figure 8 through serene pine forests and open meadows of Pebble Beach. Bring water. Lunch gives us the option of purchasing a Poppy Hills sandwich. 6 ½ miles, 850 ft. elevation gain with flora & fauna stops. Arrive early; we depart at 9:30 a.m. from the “Haul Road” Gates on Highway 68 in Pebble Beach. Call for a reservation. Leader: Lynn Bomberger, 375-7777.

Saturday, June 9
Hike: Fort Ord Dunes
An easy hike through the Dunes and along the ocean, about 4 miles.
We'll go first to the new parking lot and the look out where in former times the Military clubhouse was. You remember, it had been taken down before it fell into the ocean. We might find a few blooming sand flowers and will watch birds and high waves. Bring water and a sandwich, hiking sticks, binoculars and wear layers; it may be windy from the ocean. Meet in Seaside at Home Depot near the gas station at 10 a.m. Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467.

Sunday, June 10
Hike: Kahn Ranch
For those who haven't visited this portion of Garland Park, this mildly strenuous hike will be worth the effort. Exploring the outer limits of the little jewel that is Kahn Ranch, we will encounter some small waterfalls, abundant wildflowers (hopefully still), and elevated views of the Carmel River. Also expect some poison oak and possible ticks. 8 miles with 2500' of sometimes steep elevation gain/loss. Limit of 20 hikers. Call for a reservation. Leader: Larry Parrish, 622-7455.

Thursday, June 14
Hike: Nisene Marks State Park
About 6 miles with about 800 ft. elevation gain, moderate pace.
We'll hike mostly through redwoods from Porter Family Picnic Area along the former railroad tracks past Hoffman Historic Site to the Bridge Creek and return along the creek. Bring water and lunch. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at the parking lot in front of the REI Store in Marina or at 10:20 at Porter Family Picnic Area in the Park. Please, let me know if you are coming. Leader: Gisela Nobinger, 393-4983 or .

Saturday, June 16
Marathon Hike: East to West
Join me on this fabulous, but very strenuous all day hike of 24 miles. A shocking early morning start is required for this unforgettable hike experience! You must have stamina and endurance to continue on when you reach half way and you feel already dead tired! The views are breath taking. If time allows, we can soak in the hot springs for a short relief of our aching feet. Call me only if you are a long distance hiker. Car shuttle will be provided for the first people who call in advance. After the shuttle is full, you still can join us, but you must arrange for your own transportation. Leader: Esperanza Hernandez, (831)678-8538.

Sunday, June 17
Walk: Jack’s Peak
Jack’s Peak gives us both great views out over the Monterey Peninsula and cool canyon walks in the depth of this special forest. We’ll talk briefly about the proposed zip line; then explore, first starting from the Jack’s Peak parking lot where we’ll check out the views from the top, and then driving within the park to the East Picnic Area to walk the Madrone Trail below the zip line. Dress in layers, bring water and snack, and meet at site of MPC Farmer’s Market (southwest corner of MPC campus on Fremont St.) at 9:30 or at Jack’s Peak Parking lot about 10 a.m. Don’t forget small bills for the Iron Ranger! Leader: Mary Gale, 626-3565.

Monday, June 18
Hike: West Molera
We shall hike up Hidden Trail and Ridge trail, enjoying views of Pico Blanco and Post Summit. After lunch we descend via the Panorama trail and Bluff trail, with views of the ocean and Point Sur. Meet at the P & R Lot on Rio Road at 9:30 a.m. for this moderately strenuous hike of almost 8 miles with elevation gain of 1200 feet. Bring lunch, water, and a sweater or windbreaker as the ocean breeze can be cold even at this time of year. Optional: bring sandals or aqua shoes for a possible river crossing. Leaders: Cath Farrant and Mary Dainton, 372 7427.

Spring, Summer, Fall
Channel Islands NP
Explore the wild, windswept islands of Channel Islands National Park. Train your binoculars on rare sea and land birds. Hike trails, kayak, or snorkel. Or just relax on the beach or on the 68-foot boat Truth. $590 fee includes assigned bunk, all meals, snacks, beverages, plus the ranger/naturalist who will travel with us to present programs and lead hikes.

May 6-8, July 8-10, September 9-11.
Camping by Kayak & Bike
Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit Sierra Club California political programs. To make a reservation, mail a $100 check, payable to Sierra Club to leader Joan Jones Holtz, 11826 The Wye St., El Monte, CA 91732. Contact leader for more info: 626-443-0706, .


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