Part "road trip," part hiking. We'll visit Lava Beds National Monument in the northeastern corner of California, then over to Oregon Caves. On the way back to the Bay Area we'll visit beaches along Highway 101.

Please follow the links for the parks below. Lava Beds is one of the hidden gems of California (takes a while to get there), and it's worth a visit if you haven't been there already.

This trip is a camping trip (five nights), as there are no hotels near where we are staying. Next year's Death Valley trip will again have hotel options (and maybe I'll fit in a trip during the summer with camping/hotel options).

Day --Activities

1.--Monday: Drive 7 hours to Lava Beds National Monument (https://www.nps.gov/labe/index.htm)
--a. Leave Bay Area at 8:00 am.
--b. Camp at Indian Well campground in Lava Beds.
2.--Tuesday: Hike and explore Lava Beds
--a. Camp at Indian Well campground in Lava Beds.
3.--Wednesday: Hike and explore Lava Beds
--a. Camp at Indian Well campground in Lava Beds.
4.--Thursday: Drive to Oregon Caves area (4 hrs 21 min)
--a. Rise early to explore geologic features on the road.
--b. Camp at Cave Creek Campground (outside Oregon Caves).
5.--Friday: Oregon Caves (https://www.nps.gov/orca/index.htm) tour at 10:00 am
--a. Group rate for tour available for 12 people; otherwise we’ll join a regular tour (90 minutes, $8.50 admission)
--b. Leave around noon to drive Highway 101/coast highway. (Drive about 3 hours)
--c. Explore jade pebbles on beaches in area.
--d. Camp at Patrick’s Point State Park (https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=417)
6.--Saturday: Drive via Highway 101 back to Bay Area (drive about 5 hrs 30 min)
--a. Explore stops along Highway 101.

Fees:
I'm charging $20.91 to RSVP ($20 + Paypal fees), which will cover campground fees as a start. When we get closer we'll work out exact budget depending on the number of attendees, but the camping fees won't be over the $20. Everyone is responsible for the cost of their own food and transportation, although carpooling is recommended.

Food:
Everyone is responsible for their own food. We can probably coordinate sharing stoves, and you're welcome to try to coordinate with others on your own if you want to share food.

Driving:
Let's try to carpool as much as possible. If you can offer a ride, please say so in your RSVP (including your hometown). Ditto if you need a ride.

I'm renting a four person "Intermediate SUV" that will cost each of four people about $75 for the trip (plus $40-50 each for gas). I'm doing this for the comfort (my car can only fit three semi-comfortably) and to put the miles on the rental rather than my car. If you'd like to join my SUV carpool, please let me know.