Connect Outdoors: Hiking and Social Gatherings

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About us

Welcome to our Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Jose hiking and friendship group. Make friends and sweat 💦😅😋😊👍.

We offer an array of outdoor activities, with a focus on moderate to challenging hikes. Our hikes are also a place to learn some of the natural history of our area. Some hikes will go slowly enough to identify and photograph plants and mushrooms, and the occasional newt or bird (or mammal, of course). Other hikes are more focused on getting a good workout in a beautiful environment, in the company of other pleasant people. Most of our hikes are a mix of the two. Please be compassionate and mindful of everyone during our hikes.

We also sponsor a smaller number of indoor activities, be it (optionally) getting together at a pub or restaurant after a hike, or our monthly, roving trivia night. We sometimes refer to these events, affectionately and mirthfully, as "Connect Indoors".

Please join us!

Upcoming events

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Henry Cowell Crossing San Lorenzo - 8 miles - 1550 TEG
Fri, Sep 11 · 9:00 AM PDT
Southern entrance to Henry Cowell on Graham Hill Road, opposite the Mini Market at 1460 Graham Hill Road, Santa Cruz, CA, US
Temps are forecasted to drop, but still the river calls. This custom hike is approximately 8 miles with 1550 total elevation gain (distance and elevation gain are estimates). We'll make our way from our meet up point off Graham Hill Road and get down to the river by way of Diversion Dam Trail. We'll make our first crossing somewhere along the river given there is no real trail in this section. Then we'll cross another 4 or 5 times before going up a steep climb on Buckeye Trail.

Since crossing barefoot is slippery and dangerous, you need to cross the river in some kind of footwear like your hiking shoes or watershoes/sandals. Your shoes should be comfortable to hike in between crossings. I'll wear my hiking shoes and socks for the duration of the hike. Hiking poles come in handy for crossing.

Everyone will go on the waitlist initially. We'll be crossing through the water - there are no bridges. If I have never hiked with you, I will DM you to find out how comfortable you are with this kind of hike.

We'll start from the south entrance to Henry Cowell with off-road parking on Graham Hill Road. Here's a link to the pullout parking and entrance to Henry Cowell SP. This is our custom route for the hike.

Trail is Moderately Challenging: Most of the trails are well-maintained with some steep sections and shaded areas. The first river crossing and path along Diversion Dam is not clear and require searching for the trail! Poison Oak is abundant especially on Big Rock Hole and ticks are still in season. We will be in the water. River crossings can be mid-calf with strong current. Conditions may be warm and dry with some overgrown sections by the river. Distance and elevation are estimates.
This group hikes at a fairly fast pace, averaging 2.8 mph depending on terrain. Please allow 4 hours.

Where to meet: We'll meet at the top of Pipeline Road and Graham Hill Road. Please arrive ahead of time for a quick round of introductions and be ready to start promptly at 9:00am. We start on time with whoever is present.

What to bring: plenty of water, sun and tick protection, and anything else that you like for your hikes. We'll break for a snack at the last river crossing before we make our ascent up Buckeye Trail.
No fee for parking (pullout parking off Graham Hill Road). No dogs on these trails. No restrooms at any point along this route.

Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any social activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.
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