Announcing a new Meetup for 35ish-65ish Bay Area Hikers, Daytrippers and Playful People!

What: New Year's Day Hike - Purisima Creek Redwoods

When: January 1,[masked]:30 AM

Price: $1.00 per person

Where: Click the link below to find out!

Meetup Description: If it's raining - let's meet anyway in Santa Cruz, and we will come up with a plan B -

Maura's group is doing this hike on December 27th or 28th so I bogarted the text from her hike. I haven't been to this park before so it's going to be an exploratory hike. Let's go out to eat after if you all want, bring food, water, hats, sunscreen, and layers.

HIKE STATS:
Start Time: 10:30am
Distance: 7 mi loop or 9 mi loop
Estimated Hike Time: 3.5 to 4 hrs
Elevation change: 1400 ft
Difficulty: CHALLENGING (for elevation)
Event Type: Open
Event Organizer: Lauren

This 7 MILE loop hike has about 1400 FEET of elevation and brings us through the breathtaking Purisma Creek Redwood Open Preserve. The trailhead is at the WESTERN entrance of the park - not at the main entrance. You may want to cross-check maps and written directions below to help out with your morning travel plans. There is an optional route that's 9 miles for folks if we have enough takers.

Both of these options will be challenging. If you are new to hiking or unsure about whether you can keep up with the group, please wait for an outing that's a good fit for you. We have lots coming up in the pipeline - so you won't have to wait long!

* Parking at the trailhead is very limited to SHARING RIDES is strongly encouraged. This keeps our MROSD friends (the ones who give us permits) even happier!
* As always, be sure to bring WATER, snacks and an extra layer (like a windbreaker)
* While hiking under the redwoods will be cool, hiking at the top of the ridge is open and can be sunny and/or hot. You'll be happy if you pack for both.
* No pets, please

This is a challenging hike; however it is open to all members without restriction. An open hike does not mean an easy hike. It only means that no special permissions are required to attend the hike.

Please be aware that we expect you to take responsibility for your safety while we are out on the trails. This means arriving prepared, remaining aware and participating with the other really wonderful folks who are part of the group on hike day. We understand that your "Yes" RSVP to this event means you accept this.

CARPOOLS:
Fewer cars at the trailhead is always happiness. Meetup does not organize carpools; however we are a friendly group with lots of folks who are interested in sharing rides. If you'd like to offer a ride, please leave a comment in your RSVP letting folks know where you're coming from and how many spaces there are. If you'd like to ride as a passenger, it is YOUR JOB to check the website RSVP list and contact any of the nice people offering a ride to see if they still have a space for you. If you're a passenger and your plans change, please be sure to let the driver know.

I will be driving from the West Side of Santa Cruz and will have room for 3 people. Let's meet at Brendan's - which used to be Beckman's on the West Side, at 9am

DIRECTIONS from the north -
From the junction of CA 1 and CA 92 in San Mateo County, drive south 1.2 miles, then turn east onto Higgins Canyon Road (formerly Higgins-Purisima Road). Drive on this narrow road about 4.2 miles, to the trailhead on the left side of the road (just past the tiny white bridge).

TRAILHEAD DETAILS:
Parking for about 10 cars. No entrance or parking fees. One designated handicapped parking spot. Pit toilet less than 0.1 mile up the trail. Maps available at the information signboard, also less than 0.1 mile from the trailhead. There is no direct public transportation to this trailhead.

Learn more here:
http://hiking.meetup.com/292/calendar/9384817/