Tuesday Evening Hike: Veeder Pond at Garland Ranch (~5 Miles, ~1,400 Feet)

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/7/9/4/event_17118324.jpegLet's enjoy another sweat-inducing workout at beautiful Garland Ranch with a hike to Veeder Pond. This seasonal, vernal pool and it's surrounding meadow are one of the most serene spots in all of Garland. We'll be making the VERY rigorous climb up the Veeder Trail to the top of East Ridge where we'll get a brief respite along the grassy meadows that is home to Veeder Pond. After which we'll continue south and continue our climb to the top of Cougar Ridge before turning onto the Saddle Trail for the descent back down to E. Garzas Road. Just gorgeous!

THIS WILL BE A VERY STRENUOUS HIKE AND IS COMPARABLE TO THE MAPLE CANYON HIKE WE DID BACK ON JANUARY 18TH. REMEMBER THAT ONE? SIMILARLY WE'LL BE CLIMBING A VERY STEEP GRADIENT UP THE VEEDER TRAIL WHICH RISES SHARPLY AND OVER A RELATIVELY SHORT DISTANCE OF JUST OVER 1 MILE.

THIS HIKE IS GUARANTEED TO GET YOU SWEATING AND YOUR HEART PUMPING AS WE ASCEND THE RIDGE TOWARDS VEEDER POND. IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU MATCH YOUR CURRENT FITNESS & CONDITIONING WITH THE DEGREE OF STRENUOUSNESS THAT THIS HIKE WILL ENTAIL. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

WHAT TO BRING: Sturdy hiking shoes or boots (sorry sneakers NOT recommended for this event), layered clothing for protection against wind and cool temperatures, food/snacks for extra fuel, 2-3 liters of water, & long pants and long sleeve shirt (for poison oak protection). Bring your trekking polls if you wish as these will be helpful particularly along the steep ascents & descents.

Bring headlamps and/or flashlights with you so that you may safely illuminate the foot path ahead of you.

DIRECTIONS TO TRAIL HEAD:
If you're coming from the Santa Cruz or Monterey area, head south on CA-1 towards Carmel. The freeway ends just past Exit 399A (Hwy. 68 to Pacific Grove), but continue on Hwy 1 south for another 4 miles until you get to Carmel Valley Road. Turn left (East) onto Carmel Valley Road and continue for 10.2 miles. Turn right onto Boronda Road and proceed 0.6 miles until you reach E. Garzas Road. Turn left onto E. Garzas Road and proceed 0.3 miles to the trail head.

Driving Directions to Garzas Creek Trail Head (http://www.mapquest.com/mq/10-FeZioyuB9iFV)

Ample curbside parking is available. We'll hit the trail promptly at 6:30 p.m.

For information about Garland Ranch Regional Park:
Garland Ranch Regional Park Home Page (http://www.mprpd.org/index.cfm/id/19/Garland-Ranch-Regional-Park/)

RESPONSIBILITY:
Please be aware that we expect you to take responsibility for your safety while we are out on the trails. This means being prepared with adequate hiking gear and making sure the difficulty level of the event IS NOT beyond the limits of your health & conditioning. We understand that your "Yes" RSVP to this event means you accept this. For more information regarding safety, please refer to the Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group "About" section for more details.