Mt. Madonna (Sprig Parking lot) with Pineapple Village. HIKER APPRECIATION DAY!

NOTE: WE ARE MEETING UP AT THE SPRIG DAY USE AREA AT 8:30 AM AS SHOWN ON THE MAP. LIMITED PARKING
2025 was a challenging year! I'm hoping all our regular hikers, who have toiled thru Atmospheric River rain and hail, muddy trails and mishaps, poison oak rashes and clingy tick bites, stupid IOPQ questions and misplaced map pins, will join this event and receive a small token of my appreciation! Accordingly, for this event only, admission will be based on seniority (Hiker participation stats, not how many gray hairs you have).
Remember when you were a kid and you read stories about an "Enchanted Forest"? But as you got older and more jaded you no longer believed in such things? OK, so you are right, there is no such thing, but this beautiful forest has some of that enchantment. Sprig, Merry-Go-Round, Tan Loop is an 8.2 mile , 1702' elevation gain loop trail. Redwoods, Oak, Chaparral, deer and rumors of Mountain Lions. THIS HIKE IS RATED MODERATE BUT PROBABLY ON THE DIFFICULT SIDE OF OUR HIKING INVENTORY. About 70% shaded so bring hats and sunscreen for the early part of the hike. The usual tic and poison oak precautions apply.

There is a "luxurious" portapotty at the trailhead and actual restrooms with water at the midpoint of the hike.
NOTE THE 8:30am START TIME and plan accordingly.
It is very important that we arrive early and carpool as much as possible as parking is free and can become quite limited. Use link below:
https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/qxvyae
Remember when the Beatles sang "Mount Madonna, baby at your breast, wonders how you manage to feed the rest?". Well, now we know, she took them all to Pineapple Village, 769 1st St. Gilroy, a short 11 minute drive from the hike. Check out their extensive menu and see why!
PLEASE REMEMBER TO MULTIPLY YOUR BILL BY 1.3 (FOR TAX AND TIP) AND TRY TO BRING CASH.
The IOPQ will be : Which one of these actual laws do you feel is most unfair? Or, which should be adopted nationwide? : 1. Donkeys not allowed to sleep in bathtubs (AZ). 2. Women must have husbands permission to buy a hat (KY) 3. Illegal to take a bite out of someone else's Hamburger (OK)
ATTENDANCE: If you are signed up for a hike, or on the waitlist, please remove yourself to the "not going " list as soon as you become unsure about attending, so another wait lister can have adequate notice that they are going. Also, it is not okay to just show up to a hike you are not listed as "going" to. Hikers who violate these policies will have that information noted on their permanent record, and their parents may be notified.
DO NOT ATTEND if you're experiencing any cold or flu symptoms, have a compromised immune system, or if you've been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19.
LIABILITY WAIVER By joining this group for any event, you hereby release its organizers, hosts, and participants from any and all liability, claims, demands, or causes of action that you now have, or may have in the future, for illness, injuries, damages, death and/or economic loss of any kind or nature, arising in whole or in part out of the activities, advice, or information contained herein.
Disclaimer: The South Bay Over 50 Social Hiking Group and its event organizer and members are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release the South Bay Over 50 Social Hiking Group and its event organizer and members from any responsibility, liability, or claim in law or in equity. If you don't agree to these terms, DO NOT join this meetup event. The South Bay Over 50 Social Hiking Group does not certify the expertise of its event organizer - I am a volunteer. All hike distances, routes and elevation gains are approximations and can vary from time to time. You are responsible for yourself. Please come prepared with appropriate hiking shoes, poles,