Black Mountain Hiking Portola Redwoods Hike

Organized By: Loma Prieta Black Mntn Hiking

Location: Meet at the Madrone Picnic Area, Portola Redwoods State Park

Event Organizers:
Diana Hall
dianahall39@yahoo.com

Level: Moderate(2B 8 miles 1200 ft.)

Cost: $10 park entry fee. ($9 seniors)

Portola Redwoods State park is a natural stream basin, with mixed evergreen forest of both old-growth and second-growth redwoods, along with tan oaks, madrone, live oak, Douglas fir, and big-leaf maple among others. Huckleberries dominate the understory. Old-growth trees provide important habitat for the marbled murrelet, an endangered seabird that nests high in the redwoods. It is also one of the few remaining homes for Dudley's lousewort, a plant dispersed by ants and banana slugs that lives among old-growth trees.

Native people have lived in this area for thousands of years. The Quiroste Tribe was the largest in the area. Their territory ranged from the coast near Pescadero up towards Skyline Ridge and included Portola Redwoods State Park.

In 1889, the first settler, Christian Iverson, sold his property to a lumberman, William Page, who ran a shingle mill just past the present- day trail camp. In 1924, the Masonic Lodge's Islam Shrine acquired the property for a summer retreat. In 1945 they sold the property to the state to create a new state park.

We'll first take a short loop on the Iverson and Sequoia Nature Trails near the visitor center, and then walk up the road to the Summit trail, taking Summit and Slate trails past the trail camp to the old Page Mill site through a scenic section of the forest. After lunch we'll take the Slate Creek trail back to the headquarters.

Possible hazards include ticks, yellowjackets, wasps and other insects, fallen trees, poison oak, and rattlesnakes. Please be aware and look out for them as we are hiking.

We practice "leave no trace" and carry out everything we carry in. It is important not to drop food crumbs or scraps because this can attract birds which prey on the marbled murrelet eggs. Please see the park web page Portola Redwoods State Park for more information.

Signup Instructions:

1. Signup for this hike via Sierra Club site ONLY (Meetup site is for people to coordinate carpool amongst themselves. Carpool transportation is at the sole risk of the participants).
2. Please provide emergency contact name and phone number as well as your email and phone contact information when you signup.
3. Complete, print and bring with you the required medical form for this backcountry outing. You will show me that the form has been completed and then you will stow it in your own first aid kit. In the event of a medical emergency, the form will be given to first responders, so include information that they should be aware of when providing you with emergency medical treatment.

Post Hike Snacks: Cold drinks provided after the hike.

Join our email distribution list: If you would like to be on our email list to receive our hike announcement and cancellation notice, please sign up here.

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Sierra Club guide for our hike outings: Neither vaccinations nor masks are required. If you are experiencing any COVID symptoms, are sick, or have recently tested positive for COVID do not hike with us on this day. Every participant is responsible for reporting these conditions to the leader if symptoms develop after the hike. We will then notify the other participants.
Bring: hiking boots/shoes, 1.5 L water, layered clothing, snacks, lunch, sun protection, completed medical form, hiking poles if you use them

Additional Directions: Meet at the Madrone Picnic area, which is to the left just before you get to the visitor center. Pay the park entrance fee at the visitor center. Bathrooms located near the visitor center and also in the picnic area. No reliable cell service in the area.

Cancellation Policy: excessive heat, poor air quality