About us
This group's goal is to get exercise while exploring and learning about the geology and natural science of the San Francisco Bay Area. The aim is the mid-point between the hiking groups that don't stop long enough to explore and learn about what they're passing and the nature groups that see lots of great stuff, but don't get that much exercise.
Hikes will be lead by members with knowledge of unique, exotic, or otherwise fascinating features of our area. If you have a favorite hike that you'd like to lead, drop a suggestion and I'll make you a leader (you just have to commit to coming on the hike and sharing your knowledge).
Everyone with interest is invited, and presentations should be aimed at people with interest but not necessarily a strong academic background in the subject (although some conversations occasionally get pretty deep).
Our primary focus will be on geology, but we won't pass up a good tidbit of information about the flora and fauna as we hike.
I've finally started putting together a website with more details on the geology of our hikes. You can find them at https://geology.trampleasure.net/ A few direct links to pages on my site include:
Upcoming events
2
Sunol Wilderness: "Little Yosemite" 4 miles, 900 feet climbing
Sunol Wilderness Regional Park, 1895 Pat Geary Rd, Sunol, CA, USWe'll be exploring Sunol Wilderness's Little Yosemite (now named *Alameda Creek Overlook--*I'm guessing they changed the name because there is no granite there), and other rocks in the area. AllTrails lists this hike as 3.7 miles and 860 ft. We seem to average 2 MPH, plus a brief lunch, so we'll probably take three hours.
### Geological Highlights
- The Franciscan Complex at Little Yosemite: Our first stop is the iconic gorge where Alameda Creek has carved through 150-million-year-old oceanic crust. We’ll examine massive outcrops of greenstone and basalt, looking for water-carved "potholes" and hydrothermal mineral veins.
- The Stratigraphic Leap: As we ascend Cerro Estes Road, we leave the metamorphic basement behind and move into the Great Valley Sequence. These are younger sandstones and shales that once sat at the bottom of a vast inland sea.
- Fault Line Vistas: From the Lower McCorkle Trail, we’ll have a "bird’s-eye" view of the Sunol-Calaveras Fault. We’ll discuss how fault "gouge" (pulverized rock) creates the long, linear valleys that define our local landscape.
Restrooms, food. and water:
There are restrooms at the start, but I don't think there is running water there. There is no food sold in the park, so bring plenty of water and a lunch. We'll have lunch somewhere near the top of our climb.
Weather
In the event of light rain, we'll start up to Little Yosemite (on a fire road), then decide when we get there if it's too wet to continue, or if we want to slog it out in the drizzle and mud. 10 day forecast.
Past hikes here (with photos and comments):Etc:
- From 10:15-10:30 will be a brief background talk about the geology of California, if you've heard this before you're welcome to show up at 10:00.
- $5/car entrance fee (may have gone up; carpooling encouraged, leave a comment at the bottom if you can ride/drive).
- Kids are welcome.
- Dogs not allowed
- $2 donation requested to help with Meetup fees and buys me lunch or a cup of coffee :-)
Other resources:
- KQED Quest: Geological Outings Around the Bay: Sunol Regional Wilderness
- EBRPD website
- Instructor Ruth Hanna's geology class from Las Positas College (on Archive.org website).
19 attendees
Mt. Lassen hiking and camping
Location not specified yetJoin us for three days of exploring the geology of Lassen Volcanic National Park. We’ve reserved a group site at Lost Creek Group Campground for June 26–30, which accommodates up to 20 people.
We’ll begin accepting RSVPs in late March or early April, but wanted to share the dates now so you can add them to your calendar.
The trip will include three full days of hiking on June 27–29, with plans for:- A summit hike (about 5 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gain)
- A hike through the park’s geothermal features
- One additional hike (details to come)
Most hikes will be moderate, though the summit hike is strenuous—it’s a steady climb most of the way up. Participants are welcome to skip any hike they’re not comfortable with, but campsite reservations will be prioritized for those planning to hike on at least two days.
If camping isn’t your preference, there are B&Bs and other lodging options available just outside the park’s north entrance. Those staying off-site are very welcome to join us for the hikes and unwind together around the campfire in the evenings.
We may also add an optional extension to explore Lava Beds National Monument, which would include one half-day and one full day of exploring. If offered, this extension will be listed as a separate trip.
More details about our trips can be found here.
Previous trips to Lassen include:- July 2021 (Mt Lassen & Lava Beds listed separately--this year there was smoke from a bad fire and we ended up not going to Lava Beds)
- August 2013
- July 2011
2 attendees
Past events
241
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