Garland Grand Traverse, (~23 M, 7,700') w/ Option 28 M, 10,000'

Garland Grand Traverse (~25 miles with ~7,500' gain) with an option for 29 Miles with 10,000' gain

Be sure to see the photos of past GGT at the photo section.

Garland Grand Travers has been done in various forms at least 10 times in the past that I know of.
This may be the Most Challenging GGT variation with the option included. 😊

The hike is Wait-Listed Event and takes around 15 to 20 hrs.

A brief description of the route:
Outbound:
[Holt RD]=> Huff&Puff => Snively's Ridge =>
{Option : Fire Tower_adds extra 1 mile and 1,000' elevation gain}
Garzas Creek Bridge via Old Corral =>Veeder Pond via East Ridge => Cougar Ridge to [Kahn Ranch]
{Option : Vasquez Knob & Hitchcock Loop_adds extra 5.5 miles and 1,500' gain}

Return:
[Kahn Ranch] => Cougar Ridge => East Ridge => Redwood Cyn => Garzas Creek Bridge => Old Corral => Holt Road via Sniveley

Where to Meet:

June 13 has the daylight of 14.5 hrs.
we have Civil Twilight 5:18 - 8:47, and the sunrise at 5:43 and the sunset at 8:26.

We will meet at the Carmel MidValley Safeway parking at 5:000 am, and shuttle to Holt Road. We will start hiking by 5:15.

VERY IMPORTANT:

THIS IS A STRENUOUS AND CHALLENGING HIKE. WHILE WE WILL NOT BE TRYING TO SET A SPEED RECORD WE WILL MAINTAIN A MODERATE PACE OF ABOUT 2-2.5 MILES PER HOUR. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE PHYSICALLY FIT AND PREPARED TO ATTEND!

What to Bring:

You should bring everything you need for a long day out in the woods.
This includes layered clothing, water (3-4 liters), electrolytes, hat, sunscreen, lunch and other snacks (munch along the way). As there are water sources along the route, I would strongly recommend bringing a water filter.
Headlamp, windbreaker.

What to Expect:

Sun, hills, hills, more hills....

Our feet will kick the dirt at every high point in the park. It will be a long, sweaty day and if the skies are clear we will be rewarded with views of land and sea all day long.

Our route is well marked with defined tread. Poison oak is present at optional trail toward the Fire Tower, but is easily avoidable.

The climbs up and down the ridges are severe and relentless. If you are unsure about maintaing a 2-2.5 mph pace with the group, please consider another event.

Those who like to take additional challenges (i.e. take up options for increase mileages and elevation gains), pls inform me during the hike.

Escape Hatch:
1. 15 Miler: Veeder Pond (7.1 mile point from the start) is a good place to turn around.
2. 20 Miler: Another good turn around spot is at Kahn Randh (9.6 miles from the start)

If you are interested please join me. It's a tough but very rewarding adventure and it's hard for me to think of a better way to spend a Saturday than on a 20 plus mile hike. Please feel free to ask questions in the comment section.

Thank you for reading and I hope to see you there!