HIKE: Pomo Canyon, Sonoma Coast, 6-ish miles, 700 ft of climbing each way

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/3/b/7/event_33561431.jpeg Hike Pomo Canyon Trail to the Pomo Environmental Campground, 6-ish miles, 700 feet of elevation gain each way.

Note: Depending on what short side trips we might take, this hike could be up to 8 miles and a little more elevation gain.

This is billed as one of the most beautiful hikes on the Sonoma Coast. Groves of Redwood and Fir are spotted along an otherwise open trail with views of the rugged Sonoma Coast, Russian River and former pasture lands of the coastal hills.

We'll start the hike from the coast and head east toward the Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground. After we summit the highest pint the trail, we quickly descend Pomo Canyon to the campground. There we'll have a quick lunch before we take the steep climb west, retracing our footsteps to the coast.

Meetup Time at the Trailhead: 9:45 am (we hike at 9:55).

Difficulty: Moderate (Although the hike is relatively short, there is 700 feet of elevation gain each direction on this hike for a total of total 1,400 feet).

Duration: About about 4 hours

Lunch: Pack a lunch and maybe something to share

Shoes: Hiking boots or a good pair of trail shoes

Clothing: There's likely to be patches of Poison Oak. I'm wearing lightweight hiking pants. Dress in layers as it could be cold and foggy in the morning hours.

PETALUMA CARPOOL, 8:30 (depart at 8:35): Meet at Starbucks near Kmart, 205 North MacDowell Blvd (Park behind Burger King). Please donate a few bucks to the driver for gas.

OTHER CARPOOLS: If you want to carpool from another city, make a comment on your RSVP. Say the exact time, and exact location, you want to meet. Note that it takes about 1 hour from Santa Rosa, and about 1-1/2 hours from Novato to get to the trailhead.

PARKING: Park at the Shell Beach free parking area along highway-1.

TRAIL MAP:
http://www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org/pdf/wc_trailmap.pdf

Hope to see you on this hike...

Marv, SCO Organizer