Our Next Sponsored Hike

Please join us Saturday, February 20, for a three hour gentle hike of 5.5 miles at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Plan to meet us in the main parking lot at 9:45 AM for a prompt 10 AM departure. Our hike will consist of two loops from the parking lot. We'll first hike a two mile lower loop taking in the waterfall, and then follow up with a 3.5 mile upper loop with lunch at the big leaf maple heritage tree and a stop at the former Camp Butler. The total elevation gain for both loops is 800 feet. Plan to wear layered clothing and bring a lunch and ample liquids. We hike rain or shine and don't forget there is a vehicle charge to enter the park.

About Dave and Bill

Both of us are relative newcomers to Sonoma Valley having spent much of our lives in the flatlands of Michigan and Ohio. As a result we are fascinated with the Bay Area Mountains and want to introduce their beauty to others. The views from the Mayacamas and Sonoma Mountains are stunning. We graduated on March 25, 2000 from the Valley of the Moon Natural History Association and the California State Parks volunteer training program and have been leading free monthly hikes ever since. In December 2005 we became volunteer hike leaders for the Sonoma County Regional Parks. We strive to acquaint hikers with the natural beauty and resources of the more than 15,000 acres in our county parks and three local state parks, and attempt to interpret their important historical and cultural significance.

Our monthly hikes begin at 10 AM on Saturdays with the following exceptions. In May, we take our annual road trip to Yosemite. In July, we hike to the top of Bald Mountain to view over a dozen different fireworks displays on the 4th of July, weather permitting. In August, we have our annual picnic with evening hike. Space is limited on July 4th and reservations are required. Reservations open for the 4th of July hike the day after our June hike and are usually filled within a few hours.

Many of the hikers who join us each month have been participating for several years and attendance averages approximately 40 people. It has become a social event as much as a hiking event. We usually bring a cooler filled with potables to facilitate "tailgate socializing" in the parking lot after the hike. Our moderately strenuous hikes are good for both the body and soul. We hike rain or shine, so be prepared.

For those of you who need to plan ahead, our remaining 2010 hike dates are 3/13 (Shiloh Ranch), 4/10 (McCormick Addition), 4/24 (non-sponsored "Road Trip" to San Francisco), 5/15 (10th Anniversary Celebration Hike at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park) 5/21-23 (non-sponsored "Road Trip" to Yosemite), 6/12 (Jack London summit), 7/4 (4th of July), 8/29 (annual picnic), 9/18 (Brushy Peaks), 10/23 (Johnson Ridge Trail to Gunsight Rock), 11/13 (Annadel), and 12/4 (JLSHP Sonoma Ridge Trail).

Bill is also leading the monthly "Hike & Taste in the Vineyards" at Kunde Estate Winery in Kenwood. Details can be found at Kunde.

Annual "Road Trip" to Yosemite

Each May we take a road trip to Yosemite for three days of hiking. This is NOT sponsored by the Valley of the Moon Natural History Association, the County Parks or the State Parks, but you are welcome to meet us at the trail head each morning at 8:45 AM for a prompt 9 AM departure. These day hikes are more strenuous than our regular hikes. If you've had trouble hiking with us to the top of Hood Mountain, Bald Mountain, or Sonoma Mountain then you are not quite yet ready for this adventure. On Friday we will hike to the top (1872' gain) of Nevada Falls. On Saturday we will relax with an easy loop hike past Mirror Lake and along Tenaya Creek (but be prepared to wade through 1' deep water - bring water shoes or plan to go barefoot). On Sunday we will hike to the top (2558' gain) of Yosemite Falls. We are staying at the Yosemite Lodge Thursday through Sunday nights, and you can make your own reservations in the park by visiting www.yosemitepark.com or calling 801-559-5000. Yosemite room reservations should be made one year and one day in advance at 7 AM for best selection. We hope you will join us for one or more of these great hikes. If you are joining us, please let us know when you are arriving, the day you are departing, and where you are staying. Our 2010 Yosemite hike days are May 21-23.

Please call Dave Chalk at (707) 539-8847, Bill Myers at (707) 833-6288, or contact us at the link below for further information or to be added to our e-mail list.