***WALK ACROSS CALIFORNIA***
(WalkCA)
Co-leaders: Mary Ose and Steve Stiefvater
916.484.7172 925.253.0131
You may know someone who has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in California, but who do you know who has hiked Across California, west to east? Here’s your chance to be a part of history: Be among the first to hike from Waddell Beach through the redwoods of Big Basin State Park, over the hills then across the Dumbarton Bridge, through the East Bay hills to the Antioch Bridge, along the levees and country roads of the Delta to Sacramento, along the American River to Auburn, through the mountains to Squaw Valley and on to the state line near Kings Beach at North Lake Tahoe. Though not the shortest option, this route offers varied and beautiful scenery coupled with sensible logistics.
The adventure consists of six segments spread out over a 10-month period. There will be opportunities for hike leaders in all segments. Transportation varies from public transit to the use of our own cars to the use of hired transportation.
If you are interested in completing the Walk Across California as described, please email Mary Ose at osework@yahoo.com. Anyone may participate in any or all of the segments; however, in the rare instance where limits must be imposed, priority will be given to members who intend to complete the entire Walk Across California.
SEGMENT #1 (Saturday to Tuesday, November 8-11, ’08)
Waddell Beach to the east end of the Dumbarton Bridge. We will hike 55-60 miles over 4 days via established trails in parks and open space, through the Stanford campus and across the Dumbarton Bridge.
***Signups are now open for this first segment. See below.***
SEGMENT #2 (Day hikes, January through March, ’09)
Dumbarton Bridge to the Antioch Bridge. Here we will traverse mostly familiar trails with day hikes scheduled on weekends over the 3-month period, incorporated in part into the Day Hikes schedule. Accommodations will be our own homes.
SEGMENT #3 (a 4-day weekend, April ’09)
Antioch Bridge to West Sacramento. These 55-60 flat miles traverse the Delta along country roads and levees. It’s beautiful, a different kind of beauty. Enjoy the orchards, wildlife, and small river towns of central California. Accommodations will be in inns or our own homes.
SEGMENT #4 (two 2-day weekends or one 3-day weekend, May ’09)
West Sacramento to Auburn. We will walk through downtown Sacramento, the Capitol, and residential neighborhoods to join the American River Parkway which we follow to Folsom. We walk the west side of Folsom Lake to connect to trails to Auburn. The terrain is mostly flat. Accommodations will be in motels/hotels/inns and/or at Mary’s house in Sacramento (beds, couches, tents).
SEGMENT #5 (an 8-9 day trip, July or August, ’09)
Auburn (at 1,250 feet) to Squaw Valley (at 6,200 feet). We will follow the 100-mile Western States Trail through the mountains. The terrain is mountainous through the Foresthill area paralleling the American River canyon.
Accommodations to be determined; inns and/or camping.
SEGMENT #6 (a 3-day weekend, August or September, ’09)
Squaw Valley to Kings Beach/Nevada state line, the End. We will follow the American Discovery Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail for a total of about 30 miles.
WADDELL BEACH TO DUMBARTON BRIDGE (SEGMENT #1) SIGNUPS.
November 8-11, 2008 (Saturday morning through Tuesday).
We will follow the Skyline-to-the-Sea-Trail (from sea to skyline) beginning at Waddell Beach in Big Basin State Park. Passing through the Park HQ, we head up to Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve (OSP), then hike NE through Upper Stevens Creek County Park, Monte Bello OSP, Los Trancos OSP, Foothills Park, Arastradero Preserve to the Stanford campus. We head through East Menlo Park and over the Dumbarton Bridge to the Alameda Creek/Coyote Hills area.
ACCOMMODATIONS: You will need to arrange your own. Saturday night must be in the Santa Cruz area due to transportation plans; Friday night optional in Santa Cruz. Sunday and Monday nights should be in the Palo Alto/Mountain View area, or you can return home each evening. Call hotels directly for reservations. In Santa Cruz, one option is the Sea and Sand Inn (831.427.3400); another option is to pitch a tent in the hills near Santa Cruz at the home of one of our members (awake to the delightful singing of birds). Saturday meetup will be at 8:00 a.m. in downtown Santa Cruz. In Palo Alto, one option is the Days Inn (650.493.4222).
MEALS: All participants are responsible for supplying their own meals. A group dinner will be arranged for Saturday night; cost additional.
COST: $60.00 per person to cover transportation costs. Please enclose a note indicating what your accommodation choices are (or will be), and whether you would like to carpool from/to the Orinda area.
RSVP: Please send your check for $60.00 payable to Orinda Hiking Club to Mary Ose, P.O. Box 254977, Sacramento, CA 95865-4977.
All trip applications shall be treated as follows: First priority will be given to members whose application is received by July 18 and who have, in the last 12 months, (1) led a hike or trip, or (2) been on a hike for which they have provided post-hike refreshments. Second priority will be given to members whose application is received by July 18 and who have been on at least two OHC hikes in the last six months. All others will be given third priority.