Welcome to the California Alpine Club's Outings e-bulletin. Look here for details about upcoming outings and our monthly Saturday Sorties to trails of interest throughout the Bay Area. We'll also tell you about new trips in the planning stages and other Outings-related news. So read on and enjoy! |
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Mule Pack Trips: August 12-24 |
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Twenty-three CAC members ventured into the Eastern Sierra in August, led by Stefan and Mary Berlinski. The trips were relocated to the Hilton Lakes Basin and the Little Lakes Basin due to the wildfires.
The first group camped at Hilton Lake #3, where they enjoyed a lovely view of the lake and plenty of trout for Happy Hour each day. Members spent the week exploring the many lakes in the basin, avoiding a few afternoon thunderstorms and even some hail, but overall the spot was glorious. After escorting the first group back down the mountain, Stefan and Mary spent the weekend visiting Mammoth Lakes, restocking, and soaking in the hot springs at Little Hot Creek.
The second group headed to Chicken Foot Lake where they spent their days hiking passes, fishing and swimming. Evenings were a special treat with clear skies and once again, daily trout appetizers during Happy Hour. Nancy Bisio celebrated her birthday with mulled wine and a special marshmallow cake created by Madeleine Pearce.
Special thanks to Mary and Stefan, who graciously added the second trip when the first filled so quickly.
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Clear air and a beautiful setting for four nights in the Sierras |
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A happy group gathers at the lake |
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Dishwashers at work with ENTHUSIASM! |
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Nancy blows out candles on her birthday marshmallow "cake." |
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Bioluminescence Kayaking: September 2 |
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Twenty-eight adventurous Alpine Club members and friends gathered at Tomales Bay for a magical evening of camaraderie and kayaking on a calm and moonless night - perfect conditions for bioluminescence. Our paddle across the bay was greeted by cormorants, pelicans and curious seals, and the dinoflagellates did not disappoint, putting on a luminous show each time our paddles touched the water. Special thanks to Nick's Cove, who opened the Oyster Bar until 5pm for our group. This trip was organized by Mary Ann Bernard, who had the idea during the CAC New Years Eve weekend trip to Yosemite. You never know what great trips emerge when enthusiastic CAC members get together!
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The J's (Julie, Jerry, Joan, Jennipher) enjoying a nosh before the outing. |
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Kayaks, check. Paddles, check. Life jackets, check. Where's the water? |
Showing off the latest fashions in kayaking attire. |
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Van Damme State Park
October 5-7, 2018
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The Van Damme camping trip is full. If you would like to join the waitlist, please contact Renee Hamilton at 415-686-3966 or by email at rdmhamilton@gmail.com. Trip cost of $75 includes campsite and all meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch.
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Monarch Butterfly Day Trip
December 2, 2018
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Join Renée Hamilton for a day trip to Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz during the peak season of the Monarch Butterflies. The day begins with a docent-led tour at 11:00 a.m. to learn about the life cycle of these amazing and beautiful insects. After a potluck picnic lunch, continue to the nearby tide pools that promise to be teaming with life around the 1:04 p.m. low tide. The docent tour is free of charge, but there is a $10 parking fee at the State Park. If you would like to join this outing, please notify Renée Hamilton at 415-686-3966, or rdmhamilton@gmail.com
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Christmas in the Monterey Adobes
December 7 - 8, 2018
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Return to the days of Alta California and see Monterey’s historic adobes splendidly decorated for the season with welcoming, candle-lit luminarias at each entrance. Enjoy festive music, living history portrayals, and the warm spirit of this year’s 34th annual celebration. Cost is $50 and will cover the Adobes tour ticket, happy hour on the 8th and a sack lunch on the 9th for a beautiful hike at Point Lobos State Reserve. A group motel rate has been secured and you will be provided information so you can make reservations individually. For information, contact Rani Devadasan at putri0525@aol.com or 415-497-5568. To reserve a spot, please send a deposit of $50 to Rani Devadasan, 1225 Denlyn St., Novato CA 94947.
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Here's what we have in the works in 2019.... |
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Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Nevada City - January 18-20, 2019
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Join Mary Cahill for a very special weekend in Nevada City during the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Experience the adrenaline of adventure films from around the world and learn how individuals and communities are taking action. The Wild and Scenic Film Festival will leave you feeling inspired and motivated to make a difference in your community and your world. We have blocked 5 rooms at the Grass Valley Courtyard Suites at a special rate of $140 plus tax that includes breakfast and an evening reception. Mary and friends will organize a series of hikes and walks to add to your experience during this wonderful weekend. For more information, contact Mary Cahill at 530-798-9601 or a_childs_view@yahoo.com. Learn more about the film festival and secure tickets at www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org.
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Death Valley
March 27 - 31, 2019
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Join Mary Larkin-Berlinski for four nights of car camping and exploring the mystifying and eerily beautiful landscapes of Death Valley. There will be daily hikes and sightseeing, with breakfast and dinner in camp and packed lunches each day. The cost is $100/person, which includes meals and campsite. Vehicle entry fee to the park is $20-30/vehicle. There is an optional Tecopa Hot Springs Resort add-on Sunday night with approximate cost of $75-$100/person. To reserve your space for the first four nights, please send a $50 deposit to Mary Larkin Berlinski, PO Box 776, Moss Landing, CA 95039. For further information, contact Mary at: mlarkin804@sbcglobal.net or 831-345-6963
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Big Basin Backpacking
April, 2019
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Ernie Castiaux will lead a 2-night/3-day easy backpacking trip in Big Basin State Park. This is a great destination for beginner backpackers, as the hike to our overnight destination, Sunset Trail Camp, is only 6 miles. We'll spend two nights there, allowing for beautiful day hikes in one of our state's most beautiful redwood parks. Ernie has chosen April to take advantage of peak water in the park's myriad waterfalls. Reservations will be made in January, at which time we can lock in a weekend date.
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Ernie Castiaux at Russian Gulch State Park |
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Point Cabrillo Lightkeeper's House Rental
May 17-20, 2019
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NEW! Join Renee Hamilton for three nights in the fully restored light keepers’ homes at Point Cabrillo Light Station near Mendocino. There is something for everyone on this outing: trails, beaches, waterfalls, Mendocino and Fort Bragg nearby, and a wonderful sunroom for reading and watching the coast. The cost for lodging is $120/night/room (queen bed) and all three nights must be booked. Meals (3B/3L/2D plus happy hour snacks) are included at $50/person. To reserve your room and space(s) for this unique event, please send a deposit of $150 to Renee Hamilton, 1 McIntosh Court, Novato, CA 94949. Deposits, less a $15 cancellation fee, are refundable until April 1, 2019. Final payment is due April 1, 2019 and is non-refundable unless your place can be filled. PayPal (rdmhamilton@gmail.com) is also accepted for payment. For further information, contact Renee at 415-686-3966, or rdmhamilton@gmail.com.
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Piute Lake Mule Pack
August 18-23
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Mary Larkin-Berlnski will lead our annual mule-pack trip, this time to Piute Lake in the John Muir Wilderness. The cost is estimated to be $400, which includes the wilderness permit, mule outfitters to carry our gear out and back, and all meals including Sunday night prior to meeting the outfitters Monday morning. Group size is limited to 15. For more information, contact Mary at mlarkin804@sbcglobal.net or 831-345-6963.
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Willamette River Canoe Trip
September 8-13
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NEW! Get ready to soak up the beauty of the Willamette River Water Trail on a four-day canoe trip through forests, meadows and parks. This trip is in the very early stages of development, but is estimated to cost $225/person not including transportation to Oregon or lodging before/after the canoe portion. Save the date and stay tuned for details.
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In recognition of the far-flung nature of our membership as well as the beauty that the entire Bay Area has to offer, the Outings Committee has launched Saturday Sorties. On the second Saturday each month, we’ll enjoy a day outing to locations primarily outside of Marin. Our goal is to bring the warmth and camaraderie we experience with the California Alpine Club to all our members, wherever they live, and create more opportunities for all to enjoy Nature’s bounty throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
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OCTOBER SATURDAY SORTIE
Angel Island
Saturday, October 13, 2018
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Mary Cosgrove will host a hike on Angel Island. We’ll hike the Sunset Trail to the Mt. Livermore summit, then descend on the North Ridge Trail to Ayala Cove. Meet at the Tiburon Ferry dock for the 10am ferry. Fare is $14/seniors and $15/adults, payable by check or cash only. Credit cards are not accepted. Leave plenty of time for parking for the ferry. For members who will leave from San Francisco, please consult the Blue and Gold schedule:
https://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/ferry/tiburon/#schedule_1. From San Francisco, take the first ferry at 9:15am in order to arrive in time to join the group. Further information can be found on Meetup.com/CAC.
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Another Report from the Trail |
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SATURDAY SORTIE: BERKELEY TRAILS AND STAIRS |
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On September 15th, Karen Ulring led seventeen enthusiastic adventurers on an exploration of some of the 136 paths and trails in the North Berkeley Hills. The group included two members from the Berkeley Path Wanderers Association who shared the history of the pathways. The paths were originally developed 100 years ago to provide routes for residents to access the street car trolleys at the base of the Hills. Our hike took us behind homes, along a creek, and through Redwood groves with amazing vistas of the Bay.
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Above: Mary Ross Lynch of the Berkeley Path Wanderers Association shares her love and knowledge of the pathways' history.
Top Right: A perfect day for a magnificent view of the Bay.
Bottom Right: Karen leads us down a beautiful path to a year-round waterfall.
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What’s on your bucket list?
Your CAC Outings Committee is eager to expand and enhance your opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. But we need your help! Is there an activity you would like us to offer? A destination that you've always wanted to explore? Please tell us! Send your ideas and/or wish list to Renee Hamilton at rdmhamilton@gmail.com (415.686.3966) or Ernie Castiaux at ecastiaux@hotmail.com (510.909.3301).
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