What we’re about
The Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group is for people who enjoy hiking, being outdoors and socializing. We explore many areas throughout the Monterey Peninsula, BigSur/ Ventana Wilderness, and Santa Cruz Mountains. On occasion, we will offer events out of the area. Hikes are generally for most levels; from 4 mile hikes with minimal elevation gain to 20 mile expeditions with significant elevation gain. Hikes may be scheduled on any day of the week and usually last between 3-5 hours. For those interested in multi-day activities, there will be some car camping or backpacking trips.
Please be advised that we are not a walking group and therefore do not expect to see many short hikes (less than 3 miles) over level terrain . Please match the hike to your skill level.
Please join us for our next hike!
Disclaimer: The Organizers are not professional guides and do not have certified training nor insurance. As you are aware, inherent hazards and risks are associated with hiking and all other physical activity. You are responsible for your own safety and health. The individual hike Organizer is not in charge of this hike, but simply going on a hike and inviting others to join.
As you join, please read the "About" information under the heading "Pages" on the menu at the top of the Home page.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Sudden Oak Death Blitz 2024, Citizen science while you hike!4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA
Join Monterey County residents and enthusiasts to sample for Sudden Oak Death anywhere in Monterey County the weekend of Friday April 26th through Tuesday April 30th. The SOD Blitz Survey Project is a popular 19-year old citizen science program that allows volunteers from all walks of life to be involved in the fight against Sudden Oak Death in their local community. SOD is a deadly disease of oaks and related tree species present in 17 California Counties and is caused by the exotic pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. Oaks affected by SOD become highly flammable and, by burning at very high intensity, they contribute to the spread of wildfires and heighten the threat of ignition for homes and buildings. SOD-affected oaks are also at greater risk of failure and may become hazardous for any person or structure close to them.
Anybody can participate in the SOD blitzes in the Spring of each year after an easy 1-hour long online training (found at www.sodblitz.org) and after picking up the necessary collection materials at a local SOD Blitz collection/drop-off station. About thirty such stations are conveniently located around California (mostly in coastal counties).Starting on Friday April 26th participants can pick up their sample packets any time after 12 noon at the Palo Corona Discovery Center, 4860 Carmel Valley Road (Click here for Google Maps), and begin sampling. Look for a black and yellow Costco Tote with a sign for SOD Blitz Samples at the door to the Discovery Center. The Palo Corona gates are open sunrise to sunset each day. No need to pick-up sampling packets right at 12 noon Friday, participants can pick them up anytime the gates are open. If you'd like to talk in person, I'll be at the sampling station on Saturday from 10-12noon to answer your questions. Please return any samples, and any un-used materials, to the same SOD Blitz station by 12noon Tuesday April 30th.
All samples will be sent to Berkeley where they will be analyzed for the presence of Phytophthora ramorum, all at no cost to you! Sample results typically come out in October. You can find the results of all previous SOD Blitz surveys on-line at www.sodblitz.org. Prior year SOD blitzes have been incredibly successful, resulting in the survey of almost 20,000 trees across the entire State and without incident. The results of statewide surveys have identified new local outbreaks of the disease and determined disease severity in areas already known to be affected by SOD. A map identifying trees affected by SOD -and thus infectious- is accessible on both the www.sodblitz.org page and on sodmap.org.
Particularly useful is the map available on the free App SODmap Mobile (downloadable both on Android and iPhone) which further allows users to determine the risk of an oak contracting Sudden Oak Death in the location where they are standing.Get involved, do not let our oaks die: there are options to protect our beloved oaks but they only work if concerned citizen scientists like yourself get involved and if trees are treated before infection. Thanks to the SOD Blitz, Californians can actually find out if infection is likely to occur in their own neighborhood and thus save their trees. Help us in mapping the disease in as many locations as possible so that everybody may have the knowledge necessary to decide whether treating their oaks may be urgently needed.
Sudden Oak Death Blitzes Format:
- Training (1-hour) online at www.sodblitz.org, ideally done before collecting the sampling materials at the SOD Blitz Station.
- Once at your local SOD Blitz Station you can pick up one or two collection packets. Each packet allows you to sample 10 trees. Do not take more than 2 packets unless you talked to the organizer.
- It is easiest to download the free App “SODmap mobile” before you start the survey to help determine the exact location of the trees you sample, or you can use a gps device.
- The Monterey County SOD Blitz will start on Friday April 26th at 12 noon and end on Tuesday April 30th at 12 noon. You can pick up sample materials any time after 12 noon Friday, but all samples and any unused collection materials need to be returned before noon on Tuesday.
- You can sample private properties with the owner’s permission, alongside public roads and in parks or open spaces that are open to the public.
- Any questions? Visit www.sodblitz.org or email Event Organizer:
Kerri Frangioso, kfrangioso@ucdavis.edu.
SOD Blitz Station: Palo Corona Discovery Center
4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
Click here for the location on Google Maps - Santa Cruz Island Camping-Cinco de Mayo Weekend 2024Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, CA
Cover Picture: San Pedro Point, Anacapa Island and (in distance) Santa Monica Mountains viewed from East Montanon Ridge
A. TRIP SUMMARY
This 7th "almost consecutive" (we skipped '20 (COVID!) and '22 (weather)) Cinco de Mayo Weekend at Santa Cruz Island will be a 3 day/2 night trip which will be a "first" joint outing of the MBAHG and my Central Cal. group the Weekend Hikers. The total group size (including MBAHGers and WHers) is limited to ~22 total. Cost per person is $10.00 to cover the cost of the 2 campsites. Once you're added to the trip pay me via Paypal at jlezlanc@gmail.com or Venmo at @jlezlanc1 [the "z" is not a typo in these addresses], and (in Paypal) use the "Send to friends and family in the US" option.The campground includes potable running water, pit toilets, picnic tables, and food lockers.
Important notes:
- BRING ALL YOU NEED TO BE SELF SUFFICIENT
- WE MUST PACK OUT ALL GARBAGE
- NO CAMPFIRES
- SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAGS, CORRUGATED BOXES and STYROFOAM COOLERS NOT ALLOWED ON THE ISLAND
- DON'T COUNT ON CELL RECEPTION ON THE ISLAND
- PLEASE HEED WARNINGS REGARDING ANIMALS-THE FOXES/RAVENS WILL AGGRESSIVELY GO AFTER FOOD/CLOTHING/OTHER LOOSE ITEMS, AND THEY APPARENTLY KNOW HOW TO OPEN ZIPPERS
B. HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
Santa Cruz Island, the largest and most easily accessed of the Channel Islands, has a long and storied past. See this link for some fascinating background, including how the island was named:
HISTORYC. TRIP "411"
1. Meeting Place/Transport
We meet at Island Packers in Ventura, 1691 Spinnaker Drive, for the ferry ride to Scorpion Harbor, which takes ~1 hour. You need to make your own boat reservation through Island Packers at this link (see itinerary below): BOAT RESERVATIONS
Cost is $88.00 round trip ($83.00 over age 55). Cancellations allowed 120 hours prior to sailing. See CANCELLATION POLICY. Free parking is available at Island Packers.
Book this itinerary:
- Friday May 3: boat from Ventura to ScorpionCove. You need to be on the 8am or 9am boat if you want to participate in our Friday hike.
- Sunday May 5: there are currently return boats at noon, 4PM and 4:30PM, I intend to take the last boat.
2. Island Packers Information and Policies
It is critical that you review the ISLAND PACKERS CAMPING INFO for all pertinent instructions/requirements/information.*NOTE-the "official" weight limitation is 60 lbs per person excluding water and fuel!
3. Campground Information:
The area we'll be visiting is in the Channel Islands National Park and is managed by the National Park Service. For detailed information about our campground and park, please review the NPS WEBSITEWe're in group sites D&E, which are in the "Upper Loop"; these are ~3/4 mile on a slightly uphill dirt road from our boat landing.
4. Activity Information:
- Friday (arrival day): Once we've done preliminary setup in camp and had lunch, there'll be some sort of hike TBD depending on weather, trail conditions and the interests of the group. We may have a naturalist to give us a personalized tour.
- Saturday: Planned hike TBD, it will be in the 10-12 mile range and as always will include some off-trail sections and be adventuresome
- Sunday: Open day, on prior trips folks have done solo or small-group exploring. There's lots to see and do. Me, I'll be kayaking!
- Kayaking: Kayaking is an available option and Scorpion Anchorage is a great kayaking spot (there are tours, rentals (which need to be transported to and from the island) or you can bring your own kayak for an additional fee, see this link for KAYAKING INFO.
5. Meals
Everybody should bring sufficient food for the entire trip (including lunches on the trail), and if you need cooking equipment, bring it or arrange with someone else to share with them. I encourage folks to group up to coordinate their food/camp kitchen. We'll have a Cinco de Mayo potluck on Friday night for those who want to participate. Alcoholic beverages are allowed and STRONGLY ENCOURAGED, we don't want to run out!
D. ATTENDANCE AND RSVPs
To attend, please RSVP to the Waitlist. Attendance limited to ~22 people total of which about half will be MBAHGers and the other half will be from the Weekend Hikers. If you are interested in attending, place your name on the wait list. Priority will be given to active participants in the MBAHG who will enjoy the experience with the group, and who don't have a history of "No-Shows". I do not allow "+1"s on this trip, anyone who wants to attend must be a member of MBAHG.Once you are moved to the "yes" list, I strongly recommend making your boat reservation because the boats can sell out. IF A TRIP IS SHOWN AS SOLD OUT ONLINE, CALL ISLAND PACKERS, THEY OFTEN HAVE SPACE.
E. WHAT TO BRING
- Everything you need for self-sufficient camping (shelter, sleeping bag, headlamp, food, cooking and eating gear, booze etc.)
- Appropriate clothing for day, night and beach use (include layers); weather can be variable between hot and cold, wet and dry
- Sturdy hiking shoes or boots with good tread for participating in hikes
- Sun protection (hat/sunscreen)
- Trekking poles always advised
- If joining on Saturday hike, MAKE SURE TO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO CARRY AT LEAST 2 LITERS OF WATER PER PERSON!!
- Camp chair (we do a lot of sitting around camp with wine/beer/etc.)
F. RESPONSIBILITY/DISCLAIMER:
“The Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group” ("MBAHG") and its event/assistant organizers (the "Organizers") are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release MBAHG and its Organizers from ANY responsibility, liability or claim in law or in equity. If you DON'T agree to these terms, DO NOT JOIN THIS MEETUP EVENT. MBAHG doesn't certify the expertise of the Organizers. The Organizers are volunteers. You are responsible for yourself. We expect you to take responsibility for your safety during our activities. Joining activities with MBAHG is entirely voluntary and participants assume the full risks associated with the activities. It is each participant's responsibility to ensure that he/she is in sufficient fitness and health to participate in the activity, and to bring appropriate water, food, clothing, first aid, and navigation equipment for the conditions. MBAHG and individual Organizers make no representation or warranties about the quality, safety, or supervision of these activities. By making a "Yes" RSVP to this event you acknowledge and agree to the foregoing as well as all of the Meetup.com terms and policies.Not open