Nisene Marks State Park (4 Miles, easy to moderately challenging)

Important Update: Despite the missing bridges over the creek, we will start from the Vienna Woods Trailhead after all. We changed it to an out and back hike to avoid crossing the creek. This is the more scenic side of the creek. This also means we can start the hike an hour later.

Please Note: Start time on meetup is now 9:45am AND we will start the hike from the trailhead promptly at 10:00am. Also, this trailhead is not inside the park. Check the map location and park in that residential neighborhood. There are no restrooms at this trailhead.

Let’s hike Nisene Marks, enjoy nature, make new friends and enjoy conversation. Dogs are ALLOWED on this hike. We will be going roughly 4 miles on this hike. Please stay home if you are feeling ill or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.

Please bring water, light snacks if needed, and sun protection (hat and/or sunscreen). Hiking poles are not required, but there will be some uneven terrain and some folks might appreciate having at least one hiking pole for this particular hike. There are no restroom facilities on these trails so be sure to use the restroom before the hike.

We will meet at the Vienna Woods Trailhead. Once you have parked on Danube Dr or Wilshire Dr. You can't miss the trailhead. It will be immediately on the right as you are walking towards the forest on Mesa Grande Rd.

Looking forward to seeing everyone. If there is interest in getting brunch together after the hike, I recommend the Farm Bakery & Cafe which is in Aptos on Soquel Drive literally on your way home regardless of which direction you are headed.

It will be extremely convenient because the only way to drive out from the trailhead takes you to the intersection of Vienna Drive and Soquel Drive. This bakery/cafe is one block down to the right and on the other side of Soquel Drive. Parking is limited there particularly midday on a weekend, but you can park in the Doctors on Duty parking lot next door because they are closed on the weekends.

To park for brunch, take a right onto Soquel Drive, take an immediate left onto Borregas Drive and make an immediate right into the Doctors on Duty parking lot. The Bakery/Cafe is next door.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:

The organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts in this group are not professional guides. The function of the organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who signs up for a hike is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests. 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 outdoor 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. Our hike organizers are not responsible for your safety, these are always “Hike at your Own Risk” events.