Mindfulness Hike at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta

SANTA ROSA PLATEAU ECOLOGICAL RESERVE

HIKE STATS & CHALLENGES:
5 mile hike. 3 hours.
Sun and Shade sections.
Overall 400 ft elevation gain. The heart rate gets pumping the most on the way back due to a slight but consistent incline.
Some puddles to avoid due to rain.
You have the option to stand or sit on the ground for our meditation in the middle of the hike.

HIKE OVERVIEW:

• We will gather at the meeting spot below, have brief introductions, and offer you instructions to practice mindfulness as you hike.
• Then we will enter into "noble silence" (more explanation in next section).
• At the beginning we will be walking at a normal pace for 2.5 miles.
• When we reach our destination of a gorgeous section of shady trees and creek sounds, we will stop for a guided meditation (standing or sitting on the ground), invite you to slow down, and have some free time to roam about and take in the beauty of nature.
• Then we will head back, the same way we came in, walking at a normal pace
• Back at the trail head, we will end our intentional silence, have some light snacks, invite you to share any reflections, ask questions, and whoever wants to can hang around to chat and process the experience together.

WHAT IS NOBLE SILENCE?
We will be hiking most of the trail in "noble silence", without talking to each other. By intentionally creating a space where we can be together without speaking, we create the conditions to connect more deeply and intimately with our own experience and our surroundings, while still being in community. While it may initially feel awkward to you, we hope you will ultimately find it nourishing and restorative.

ABOUT MINDFULNESS PRACTICE:
We will provide beginner instructions on mindfulness. This includes various invitations to drop out of the thinking mind and be present with nature and our other five senses. All meditation experience levels are welcome, from beginner to experienced practitioner.

WHERE TO MEET:
Vernal Pool Trailhead parking lot. Here is a Google pin of the exact location of the parking lot. There are many parking lots, so please follow this link. This parking lot is past the visitor center and other main parking lot for the plateau.

Coordinates: 33.50937° N, 117.29416° W

Google Maps Pin: https://maps.apple.com/?ll=33.509375,-117.294159&q=Dropped%20Pin&t=m

TIMELINE:
10:00 am – Arrive at the Vernal Pool Trail Head parking lot.
10:05 am – Begin introductions, instructions and our mindfulness hike.
1:00 pm – Our hike will end at this time, possibly earlier.
We will keep track of time so you can relax and enjoy yourself in nature.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Water
• Hat, Sunglasses
• Hiking boots or hiking shoes.
• A small travel chair, towel, or something to sit on the ground. Keep in mind you will have to carry it the whole way.

BATHROOM:
There is a porta potty at the trail head.

HIKE ENTRANCE FEE:
$6 entry per adult. Self-pay honor system. Can pay in cash (put into a box) or they have a QR code you can scan to pay with your phone. Can also pay in advance through this link: https://reserve.rivcoparks.org/santa-rosa-plateau/entry

ABOUT THE TRAIL
The reserve protects unique ecosystems such as Engelmann oak woodlands, riparian wetlands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, bunchgrass prairie, and vernal pools as well as more than 200 species of native birds and 49 endangered, threatened or rare animal and plant species, including mule deer, mountain lions, badgers, bobcats, western pond turtles, white-tailed kites and fairy shrimp. Of the two species of fairy shrimp that live in the seasonal vernal pools on the Reserve, one is found only here and nowhere else on Earth!

NATURE PRECAUTIONS:

• Poison Oak warnings around the trail
• Coyote sightings
• Rattlesnake sightings
• Mountain Lion sightings

DISCLAIMER:
Group organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By participating in this hike with us, you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold the group leader or co-leader liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your participation with this group is based on an "at-will basis". Please use your judgment and stay within your ability level to keep safe during the hike.

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ABOUT US
Welcome to the SoCal Nature Sangha!
We are certified Mindfulness Meditation Teachers through Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. We want to create a community of individuals interested in practicing mindfulness and presence in beautiful natural spaces around southern California. We hope you will take a break from our fast-paced and high-tech world to join us in embodied movement and to reconnect with nature.