
What we’re about
Welcome to the most popular hiking group in the Bay Area. We like meeting new people and respect the environment at all times. Bay Area Hiking and beyond.
Interested in spending more time on the weekends in nature? Want to explore more of the Bay Area? Are you an afternoon person? Like to walk at a moderate pace? This may be the group for you! This Meetup is great for beginner or intermediate hikers. We will host a hike most Saturdays and Sundays. The hikes will average about five miles -- some shorter; some longer. Most hikes will be in the Bay Area within 90 minutes of Palo Alto in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey and Marin counties, although some will be farther away, e.g., Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.
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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 trip/meetup/ or outing 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.
By accepting membership in this group you acknowledge you have fully read, understand, and agree to the above.
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Upcoming events (4+)
See all- El Corte De Madera OSP: 10.4 mile Moderate Hike16040 Skyline Blvd, Redwood City, CA
SIGN WAIVER HERE: https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/
For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile)CARPOOL REQUEST COMMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED DUE TO THE LARGE SIZE OF THE GROUP. Please read below how to carpool.
Distance: 10.4 miles, loop.
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Elevation Gain/ Loss: ± 1,705 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Sleep Late and Hike Dog Policy: No Dogs Learn MorePlease read our tutorial for hiking in the sun:
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/tutorials/how-to-hike-in-the-sun/Facilities: Pit Toilets
PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO GO BEFORE YOU ARRIVE SO WE CAN START ON TIME.
MROSD Permit: 38442
Permit limit is 49 people. Therefore, please be considerate and update your RSVPs at least 24 hours before the event start time, to give someone else a reasonable amount of time to make it. I have limited the RSVPs to 80, as I expect some individuals not to show up.
RECOMMENDED MAP:
http://openspace.org/preserves/maps/pr_ecdm.pdf
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgJSXrkwshg)
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
https://goo.gl/maps/qpBcr9zVwmk
Please use the Google Maps link above to familiarize yourself with the trip and explore various route options from your home. Zoom in all the way.
The GPS locations below and the map link above are accurate enough to find us by looking around with your eyes when you get there.
(Most Cars) GPS Degrees Minutes Seconds Format:
37°23'58.0"N 122°17'43.2"W
(Google Maps) GPS Degrees Decimal Format:
37.399441,-122.295332
Nearest street address:
16040 Skyline Boulevard, Redwood City, CA
PARKING DIRECTIONS:
At south parking lot - Gate CM00. See the recommended map.
Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to find parking, and walk to the trail head.
CARPOOLING:
We will use this link for carpooling:
http://www.groupcarpool.com/t/s06umq
Please sign up here.
CARPOOLING MANNERS:
Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone.
Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above.
Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.
Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All".
Thank you for understanding.
SUMMARY:
Hidden amid a dense forest of redwoods and Douglas firs are the unique sandstone formations of El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve.
HIKING DIRECTIONS:
Start on Sierra Morena trail for 0.3 miles to arrive at a four way junction. Take sharp left on to Gordon Mill trail for 0.6 miles, and stay on the trail as you see Steam Donkey Trail on your left. Stay on Gordon Mill for another 0.7 miles to arrive at fork with Crossover Trail. Take the right fork to enter Crossover Trail.
Take the switchbacks on Crossover trail to arrive at Crosscut Trail. Take a sharp left, to enter Crosscut trail for 0.4 miles to arrive at Timberview Trail. Head straight onto Timberview. After 0.2 more miles we will arrive at the Old Growth Redwood area on the left.
Continue for 0.3 miles to the junction with Giant Salamander trail turning right onto Giant Salamander for 1.1 miles to arrive at a junction with Methuselah trail. Turn right onto Methuselah for 0.3 miles to arrive at a junction with Fir trail on the left. Take Fir trail for 0.6 miles for a junction with Resolution trail. Stay to the right on Fir for 0.1 miles to arrive at Vista Point on the left.
Here you will see the BCPA Flight 304 Memorial.
After enjoying the view at Vista Point continue on Fir trail for 0.2 miles to arrive back at the first junction, and take Resolution Trail on your right for 2.7 miles to arrive at junction with Tafoni Trail. Take the sharp right to enter Tafoni Trail for 0.8 miles to arrive at a junction where the trail you are on and the two forks are all called Tafoni Trail. Take the left fork and head down 0.1 miles to the Sandstone Formation.
Retrace your steps back up 0.1 miles to the previous junction and take the other fork which is now on your left. Take it for 450 ft to arrive at a four way junction with Fir Trail. Head straight across to enter Fir trail for 0.2 miles, take a right for 0.1 miles to arrive at Methuselah trail. Take a left onto Methuselah trail for 0.4 miles, to arrive at a junction with Timberview trail on your right. Stay to the left on Methuselah Trail for 0.4 miles for a junction with Sierra Morena Trail. Head straight on to Sierra Morena Trail. Pass two junctions on the right to arrive at a junction with Molder Trail on the left.
After 0.4 miles, you arrive back at the first four way junction. This time go straight to arrive at your starting point after 0.2 miles.
PLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION ABOVE BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE.
- Brooks Falls San Pedro Valley CP: 5.8 Mi or 8.0 Mi Moderate HikeSan Pedro Valley Park, Pacifica , CA
SIGN WAIVER HERE: https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/
For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile)
CARPOOL REQUEST COMMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED DUE TO THE LARGE SIZE OF THE GROUP. Please read below how to carpool.Distance: 8.0 miles, two different loops. First loop 5.8 Miles Option. Your Choice.
Hiking Time: 3 hours, or 4 hours
Elevation Gain/ Loss ±: 1200 feet , or 1860 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Sleep Late and Hike Dog Policy: No Dogs Learn MorePlease read our tutorial for hiking in the sun:
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/tutorials/how-to-hike-in-the-sun/Facilities: Toilets at trail head
Park Entry Fee: $6PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO GO BEFORE YOU ARRIVE SO WE CAN START ON TIME. THE GROUP IS TOO LARGE TO WAIT FOR EVERYONE TO USE THE RESTROOM IN THE PARK
RECOMMENDED MAP:
https://parks.smcgov.org/sites/parks.smcgov.org/files/San_Pedro_v032215.pdf
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
Please use the Google Maps link above to familiarize yourself with the trip and explore various route options from your home. Zoom in all the way.
The GPS locations below and the map link above are accurate enough to find us by looking around with your eyes when you get there.
(Most Cars) GPS Degrees Minutes Seconds Format:
37°34'40.6"N 122°28'31.6"W
(Waze/Google Maps) GPS Degrees Decimal Format:
37.577943,-122.475454
• Most street addresses provided are approximate, and may be up to a couple of miles from the hike location, therefore you must study the google map link at the top. Use GPS coordinates when driving, if possible.
The Waze App will route around "restricted access" roads, unlike the Google Maps app, using the same map data as Google Maps. Therefore, Waze also owned by Google, is recommended over the Google Maps app.
If you have the Waze app installed on your phone, click on this URL in your phone's browser/Meetup app:
http://waze.to/?ll=37.577943,-122.475454&navigate=yes
It will open Waze and start navigating to the trail head.
• As always, it is good practice to confirm the night before that any app you use takes you to where you expect by comparing the destination with what is posted above on your PC/Mac.
PARKING DIRECTIONS:
Parking lot in the park. Larger parking lot on the left, immediately after the entrance. Walk to the parking lot on the right to meet us.
MEETING LOCATION:
The end of the parking lot on the right as you come in.
DINNER AFTER THE HIKE (OPTIONAL):
Nick’s Seafood Restaurant (map (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.57794,-122.47546/100+Rockaway+Beach+Ave,+Pacifica,+CA+94044/@37.5961923,-122.4841646,15.75z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x808f7a894f30d1b9:0x3286e4673e58134c!2m2!1d-122.4968252!2d37.6094855?hl=en))
100 Rockaway Beach Ave Pacifica, CA 94044
CARPOOLING:
Please use this link to sign up for carpooling:
https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/g7aq39
CARPOOLING MANNERS:
Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone.
Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above. Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.
Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All".
Thank you for understanding.SUMMARY:
By hiking the Brooks Creek Trail, you have a chance to see one of the Bay Area’s prettiest waterfalls: Brooks Falls, a tall, narrow cascade of water that plunges 175 feet in three tiers.
HIKING DIRECTIONS:
5.8 Mile Hike:
Start on Plaskon Nature Trail , after crossing the creek turn left at the junction to stay on Plaskon Nature Trail. At the next junction stay to the right on Plaskon Nature Trail to arrive at Weiler Ranch Road Trail. Make a short left then right onto Valley View Trail. Stay on Valley View for 1.4 miles where it again meets Weiler Ranch Road Trail. Take a left on Weiler for 0.3 miles to Hazelnut Trail on the right. Follow Hazelnut for 3.7 miles to return to the parking lot.8 Mile Hike Continues as follows:
Locate the trailhead for Montara Mountain Trail by the restrooms in San Pedro Valley County Park. A few feet beyond the trailhead, the trail splits: Montara Mountain Trail heads right, and Old Trout Farm Trail heads left. Go left and gently uphill through a dense grove of eucalyptus. At trail junctions, small signs direct you to Waterfall Viewing Area. Bear right at two forks, now following Brooks Creek Trail, and keep heading uphill. The well-graded path soon emerges from the trees to open views of the canyon amid coastal sage scrub, ceanothus, and monkeyflower.Twenty minutes of well-graded climbing deliver your first glimpse of the waterfall, far off in the canyon on your left. Look for a narrow plume of water cascading down the mountainside. Unfortunately, no trails lead to the base of the waterfall; you can only view it from a distance. The best viewpoint is at a conveniently placed bench right along the trail. After a hard rain, you can hear and see the water crashing down the canyon slopes 0.25 mile away.
Continue uphill on Brooks Creek Trail, gaining more views of Brooks Falls.
The trail tops out on a ridge with an overlook of Pacifica and the ocean to the west and the Marin Headlands to the north. On the clearest days, even the Farallon Islands show up.
Montara Mountain Trail takes off from here; to the left and 2 miles farther is the summit of Montara Mountain (see Montara Mountain Summit listing in this chapter).
Turn right on Montara Mountain Trail and start to descend for 1.3 miles for your return to the parking lot and the completion of the Brooks loop.
PLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION ABOVE BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE.