What we’re about
The Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group is for people who enjoy hiking, being outdoors and socializing. We explore many areas throughout the Monterey Peninsula, BigSur/ Ventana Wilderness, and Santa Cruz Mountains. On occasion, we will offer events out of the area. Hikes are generally for most levels; from 4 mile hikes with minimal elevation gain to 20 mile expeditions with significant elevation gain. Hikes may be scheduled on any day of the week and usually last between 3-5 hours. For those interested in multi-day activities, there will be some car camping or backpacking trips.
Please be advised that we are not a walking group and therefore do not expect to see many short hikes (less than 3 miles) over level terrain . Please match the hike to your skill level.
Please join us for our next hike!
Disclaimer: The Organizers are not professional guides and do not have certified training nor insurance. As you are aware, inherent hazards and risks are associated with hiking and all other physical activity. You are responsible for your own safety and health. The individual hike Organizer is not in charge of this hike, but simply going on a hike and inviting others to join.
As you join, please read the "About" information under the heading "Pages" on the menu at the top of the Home page.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- “Voyage to Mars” Redux (10th Anniversary of my 1st Event) (~10 miles / ~3,500’)Salmon Creek Trailhead, Big Sur, CA
HIKE RESCHEDULED TO SATURDAY APRIL 20
COVER PICTURE: headed down the STEEP western ridge of Mt. Mars.
For the inaugural hike of my Meetup hike-leading career in March 2014, I chose one of my favorite routes, the "Voyage to Mars" lollipop route over the summit of Mt. Mars, which looms 2,674’ over the mouth of Salmon Creek.
I've decided to commemorate the 10th anniversary of that event by doing a repeat (but I've delayed to April because a Ventana Wilderness Alliance crew is removing most or all of the trees that are down on the Spuce Creek Trail at the end of March).
WARNING-THIS IS AN ADVANCED HIKE! Lots of steep up and down, partly on obscure and unmarked tracks, and some bushwhacking in places.
We will follow in the tracks of the 2014 Voyage to Mars, starting and ending at the Salmon Creek trailhead. Our route will go up the Salmon Creek Trail to the Spruce Creek Trail which we'll take to Dutra Flat Camp for a leisurely lunch stop (and water fillup if needed). This part of the hike will involve about 2,000' of el. gain but follows generally well maintained trails. We'll then hop onto the Murray Mine Road ("Road" being quite a misnomer now as it has markedly deteriorated since it was abandoned long ago), which will take us down to Dutra Creek then up to the coastal ridge,. There we turn right and follow a very old and overgrown dozer cut which roller coasters over Mt. Mars's 3 sister peaks then crosses a manzanita saddle and ultimately lands us on Mount Mars itself. I hiked this section last summer and it had gotten quite overgrown from the January-March '23 rains so I would categorize this section as a partial bushwhack, with a bit of poison oak. We'll exit the Mt. Mars summit through a long brush tunnel (also somewhat overgrown now) which leads out to the very steep grassy western ridge (see event pic) which we'll take down to Kozy Kove Meadow. Take care here, this involves a 1,400' descent in about 1.1 miles! We'll then follow a hidden trail which will get us back to the Salmon Creek Trail at a point about 1 mile above the trailhead, and then we'll return to the trailhead.
RSVP: I'm crossposting this event with a couple of other of my hiking groups in Paso/SLO areas, and will limit total attendance to ~12. Note that this will be a strenuous hike considering the steep, sometimes off-trail and overgrown terrain. As is the case with most of my hikes, this is a waitlisted event, so please be sure you are confident of your ability to hike the distance+elevation before signing up. I will check in (via Meetup messages) with those who sign up with whom I haven't hiked previously before adding them.
Bring:
- Sturdy hiking shoes or boots with good tread
- Layered clothing for protection against wind and cool temperatures (be advised that there will be poison oak along the Mt. Mars southeast ridge dozer cut, so be prepared for that; I would definitely not wear shorts and I highly recommend gaiters!)
- Sun protection (hat/sunscreen)
- Water (2-3 liters) (can be replenished at Dutra Flat camp)
- Lunch (and other food/snacks for extra fuel) (we are going to stop for a leisurely lunch at Dutra Flat camp)
- Trekking poles are strongly advised for the steep up and down sections
A Couple of Requests:
- Don't Be A No Show - if you can't make it, please remove your name from the attendee list in advance of the start time (there's no cell service at trailhead)
- Know Your Own Capabilities - Please don't sign up for a hike that is beyond the limits of your health & conditioning. This is not fair to others who expect to enjoy the hike at the level it was described.
RESPONSIBILITY: “The Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group” of Meetup.com (“MBAHG”) and its event/assistant organizers (the "Organizers") are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. MBAHG doesn't certify the expertise of the Organizers. The Organizers in this Meetup.com group are volunteers. Neither MBAHG nor the Organizers make any representation or warranties about the quality, safety, or supervision of this activity. You are responsible for yourself and your own safety and assume all risks associated with the applicable activity. By signing up for this event, you acknowledge and agree to the foregoing and to the release set forth in Section 6 of the Meetup Terms of Service (and you specifically agree that such release applies to MBAHG and the Organizer(s) of this event) and you expressly release MBAHG and the Organizers from ANY responsibility, liability or claim in law or in equity in connection with this event."
- Volunteer day at Fort Ord Dunes with CA State Parks (with coffee)Fort Ord Dunes State Park, Marina, CA
Come on out to our volunteer day at Fort Ord Dunes State Park!
Afterwards, treat yourself to a beautiful walk to the beach or a bike ride down the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. This event is co-sponsored by the Monterey District of California State Parks and the California State Parks Foundation.
WHAT WE ARE DOING: Join us in the historic Fort Ord Dunes for a morning of volunteer work! This month, we’ll be weeding invasive wild mustard and ice plant at the scenic 1st Street hill.
WHERE TO MEET: The main parking lot of Fort Ord Dunes State Park in Marina, California. Click here for a link to Google Maps.
WHAT TO BRING: Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, hat. Tools, training, gloves, provided!
Please email volunteer.monterey@parks.ca.gov with any questions!
- CNPS Sunday Broom Bash: Ishxenta State ParkPoint Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA
Be part of one of our program's longest running volunteer projects! Join us at Ishxenta State Park (across HWY 1 from Point Lobos) for a morning of pulling invasive French Broom from the beautiful Monterey Pine forest. This event is sponsored by the California Native Plant Society - Monterey Bay Chapter and the Monterey District of California State Parks.
Volunteers must be comfortable walking and working in difficult terrain, off-trail, and in areas with poison oak, steep slopes, and ticks.
WHAT WE ARE DOING: Since 1998, volunteers have been working to control invasive French Broom in the area now known as Ishxenta State Park. Since the seeds of this plant can last in the ground for over 30 years, it takes a dedicated and consistent effort to remove these shrubs from a landscape. Together, we'll be continuing these efforts by pulling French Broom from a beautiful Monterey Pine forest, rarely visited by the general public.
To reach the site, we'll hike through the forest over difficult, poison oak-filled terrain. Volunteers must be comfortable hiking and working in this difficult environment.
WHERE TO MEET: Big pullout on the west side of HWY 1, 0.5 miles south of the Point Lobos SNR entrance and just before the Gibson Creek bridge.
WHAT TO BRING: Water, closed-toe hiking shoes, pants, long sleeved shirt, sunscreen, hat, gloves, and tools.
*Friendly reminder*: Restrooms are not easily accessible from this meeting location.
For more information, please contact: MontereyCNPSStewardship@gmail.com
NOTE: This event will be cancelled in the event of high winds!
