Ventana Wilderness Alliance Annual Gathering
Hosted by Ventana Wilderness Alliance Meetup
Details
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VWA Annual Gathering- Details & Directions...
Hike: For those who are interested, we’ll kick off the day with a hike at Fort Ord National Monument, led by expert naturalist Nikki Nedeff. This Monument is just across Highway 68 from Toro Park. If you’d like to join the pre-gathering hike, meet Nikki at Creekside Trailhead at 9 AM.
To reach the Creekside Trailhead:
From Highway 68, take exit 20 for Reservation Road/River Road. Turn west onto County Rd G17/Reservation Road/River Road, then take the first left onto Portola Drive and continue onto Creekside Terrace. The road will end into the Creekside Trailhead parking lot.
Main Event: The Gathering will be held at the Buckeye Group Area at Toro Park from 11 AM to 3 PM on Saturday, May 30th, 2015.
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/parks/images/toro/Toro-picnic-map.jpg
Toro Park is located at 501 Highway 68, Salinas, CA 93908
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.6027626,-121.6911908,17z
The park is six miles west of Salinas and 13 miles east of Monterey; the entrance is easily visible on the south side of Highway 68. Please note that there is an $8 per vehicle entrance fee. There is limited free parking available just outside the main entrance, about a five-minute walk to the Buckeye Group Area.
Once you enter Toro Park, follow the signs we have placed at ground level. These signs will instruct you to take the second left-hand turn into the Buckeye Group Area. There is ample parking at the Buckeye Group Area. Despite its proximity to urban areas, Toro Park contains nearly 5,000 acres of wildlands, crisscrossed by 20 miles of hiking trails.
Be sure to bring:
A POTLUCK dish to share
Re-usable table service, including eating utensils, plate, bowl and/or serving utensils for your potluck dish (VWA will provide cups and beverages)
Sun hat and sunscreen if you are hiking; there will be ample shade for the event at the group area)
You may also want to bring:
An outdoor gear item to trade of give away at the POTLATCH
Hiking shoes
Day pack
Field guides
Hiking snacks
Camera
Cash for raffle tickets
Camp chairs (although there is plenty of picnic table seating at Buckeye Group Area)
Agenda:
09:00 – 11:00 AM
Join a guided hike in the surrounding foothills – led by Nikki Nedeff.
11:00 AM – Noon
Visit friends, view table displays, try out the crosscut saw demonstration, swap outdoor gear in the potlatch, check out raffle prizes and buy tickets; all proceeds directly support the VWA!
Noon – 1:00 PM
Enjoy potluck lunch, please bring a dish to share and re-usable table service; the VWA will provide cups and beverages.
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Watch presentations by VWA volunteers and stewardship program leaders.
3:00 PM
Win big in a raffle for great prizes from Patagonia, Juniper Ridge, REI, Backcountry Press and Wilderness50!
3:00 – 8:00 PM
Enjoy Toro Park at your own speed, the park doesn’t close until 8PM.
Please call us at 831-423-3191 or email us at vwa@ventanawild if you have any questions.
Thank you for supporting the VWA and for making this day special!
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