MOUNT ARARAT, CATHEDRAL & MARIPOSA PEAKS HIKE: 20 Miles, 5000+Feet!

CATHEDRAL AND MARIPOSA PEAKS are Southeastern Diablo Range peaks that define the southwest corner of the last remaining portion of the Mexican land grant, El Rancho San Luis Gonzaga—better known as “Pacheco State Park.” This rarely visited state park borders Pacheco Pass between both Holister and Los Banos off California highway 152. Participants can expect a LONG, STRENUOUS & EXHILIRATING hike with the reward not only being the glory of bagging three obscure Diablo Range peaks but also “all-day” breath taking views of the park itself, Central Valley to the east and the Santa Clara Valley to the west.

HIKE DETAILS:
Start time: 8:00 A.M.
Distance: 20 Miles.
Pace: 2-3 MPH approximately.
Type: Semi-Loop.
Elevation: 5000ft.
Difficulty: Very Strenuous due to distance, pace & off-trail terrain.
Hike Time: 9-10+ Hours (Figure all day).
Event fees: $1 cash.
Parking Fee: $5 per vehicle.
Guests: No, hike is for Wildcat Members Only.

WHAT TO BRING: $1 cash for hike fee. Headlamp, Sturdy hiking shoes, layered clothing, wind gear, Lunch, Hat, Gloves, 3 liters of water or drinks, long pants and long sleeve shirt (protection from brush, poison oak). Trekking polls due to steep inclines & declines.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Very fit, disciplined hikers who can handle a 20 mile hike over steep, uneven terrain. This hike is for hikers who enjoy a long, tiring day in the presence of an awe-inspiring outdoor landscape! Members willing to answer the RSVP questions and have read the "About Us (https://www.meetup.com/adventurers-194/about/)" page.

HOW TO ATTEND: Due to the strenuous & logistical nature of this hike a “closed application” process is in effect. Attendence is at the discretion of the organizer. Please join the waitlist and answer the RSVP questions if the hike interests you. This will be a small group event with precedence given to members with off-trail, distance & Wildcat experience.

LINKS
Diablo Range on Summit Post. (https://www.summitpost.org/area/range/183758/diablo-range.html)
Pacheco State Park (https://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=560)
Google Directions! (https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=38787+Dinosaur+Point+Road,+Hollister,+CA+95023&sll=36.778261,-119.417932&sspn=25.210284,56.90918&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=38787+Dinosaur+Point+Rd,+Hollister,+Santa+Clara,+California+95023&ll=37.065074,-121.211508&spn=0.393946,0.889206&z=11)
Mariposa Peak Stats. (https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=1221)
Cathedral Peak Stats. (https://www.mountainzone.com/mountains/detail.asp?fid=702145)

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THIS HIKE:
The organizer will set the pace which will average overall around 2-2.5 mph. The organizer will also navigate the route based on terrain. Everyone is expected to follow the organizer's lead and stay together as a group. There will be significant cross country travel over unstable & STEEP ground! A lot of ups and downs into valleys and along open ridgelines. Potentially some bushwacking in the deep valleys but not much. A lot of sun exposure if the sun is out.

DIRECTIONS:
Pacheco State Park is located 24 miles west of Los Banos or 20 miles east of Gilroy off Highway 152 on Dinosaur Point Road. From the South Bay take the 101 to the 152. From the East Bay I5 south to the 152. Please see the google link for driving directions.

RESPONSIBILITY:
Please be aware that we expect you to take responsibility for your safety while we are out on the trails. This means arriving ON TIME to leave with the group, being prepared with adequate hiking gear, waiver form, hike fee and making sure the difficulty level of the event IS NOT beyond the limits of your health & conditioning. In addition, please show COURTESY to fellow members by changing your *YES RSVP to a NO if your plans change. IMPORTANT Members who regularly sign-up for events, but who DO NOT show-up, may be removed from the list, to make room for more reliable members. We understand that your "Yes" RSVP to this event means you accept this.

*Photo taken with zoom function shows Cathedral Peak to the left and Mariposa Peak to the right from a distance of 10 miles away.