From the Redwoods to the Sea!

DIFFICULTY: Very Strenuous.
DISTANCE: 12 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: 2200 feet
PACE: Since the uphill portion will be a bit slower, we'll start at a more relaxed 30 min/mi pace and only go faster if everyone is comfortable with more speed.
WEATHER: Monte Rio, CA 10-Day Weather Forecast | Weather Underground - rain forecast will mean postponement due to muddy conditions on this route – I will update a couple of days before.

With the opening of Monte Rio Redwoods expansion last year, the longtime dream of being able to hike from Monte Rio all the way to the ocean was finally realized. This one-way car-shuttle hike will be our first attempt to do so.

We will meet at Shell Beach, leave half the cars there, then carpool back to the Monte Rio Redwoods trailhead (the small parking lot with the porta potty, just south of Lightwave Restaurant on the right). This lot has an $8 fee but there are also plenty of pullouts along the road for additional and free parking.

This route starts with a tough climb (about 1500 feet straight uphill) through the redwoods, then navigating through the beautiful Islands in the Sky region down into Willow Creek Valley. We'll then head up the Pomo Canyon Trail to the coast.

This will be a joint event with the Sea and Mountain hiking group so we're limiting it to ten attendees this time around.

ROUTE MAP:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-c5e69e5?u=i&sh=pmqm6r

MONTE RIO REDWOODS:
Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve

DETAILS

• MEETING TIME: 8:30 AM. We will depart at 8:40.
• MEETING SPOT: Shell Beach parking lot, Sonoma Coast State Park. There is no fee for parking.
• RESTROOMS: There are restrooms at the Monte Rio trailhead, porta potties at Pomo Canyon, and then nothing until the porta potties at the end of the hike at Shell Beach, please plan accordingly.
• GEAR: Bring water and snacks. Dress in layers - we'll probably have AM fog and most the first part of this route is in the shade, but be prepared for changing conditions and more sun later in the day. Poles will be very useful.