[phuang]

--This post reserved for updates--

Update #1 (2/7 7pm)
* Added two rsvp options for preference of Saturday vs Sunday.

Update #2 (2/8 10:30am)
* Looks like the hike'll be on saturday
* The starting time has been moved back a little (7:45 am now at carpool A - sunnyvale)
* Added a second carpool location (B) in Saratoga's Wells Fargo parking lot. Folks from SF/north should go to this location directly. It'll be about same distance/time as for you to get to carpool A, but gives you a bit more time to sleep since meeting time for B is later (8 am).

Update #3 (2/8 8:32 pm)
* Realizing that this event was posted pretty late, I'll understand if you need to cancel last minute. Please don't cancel your rsvp yourself, you'll get a late-cancel mark. Instead, leave me a email message by 11:59 pm tonight, or leave me a voice message by tomorrow 7 am. Then I'll know not to expect you. Thanks!

[phuang]

Added carpool B (Wells Fargo, Saratoga) for 8 am - good for folks from far away, i.e. SF. Please update your rsvp accordingly (see last rsvp option). Carpool A now meet at 7:45 am.

As this is a long hike, we cannot start any later at trailhead than 9am, so please be on time at the carpool locations (7:45 & 8 am).

I hope everyone is ready for a brisk-speed hike, other than slowing down a bit around the waterfalls, I'd like to keep a good pace on this hike as a lot of us need training for other more difficult events coming up.

That said, I'm well aware that unforseen circumstances could come up, and so do have some contingency plans in mind already - that is, should we need to cut short the hike, split up, etc, so don't worry too much.

If you haven't driven to Big Basin before, it is one interesting ride with lots of winding roads. It will take an hour from Saratoga. I will need some drivers, so keep this in mind as you head to the carpools. Thanks for your cooperation!

[springbreak]

不但 ， 还多拉了一个来

[raybayarea2007]

Hi, guys, sounds a bit challenging. but I am sure i could handle it.
or i would take the short cut.
anyway, I am from San bruno and directly go to the park parking lot. so, anyone comming from pennisula, or SF city can call me to arrange a carpool. We can meet at the Millbrae Bart station, and we drive directly to the park. save money and save the earth.
call me at 415-823-3876 anytime from now, till tomorrow morning.

let's set the time at 7:30 am at Millbrae Bart.

[phuang]

View 114 photos and summary of the hike. View map of actual hike paths.
1) 13 people went on this hike
* 3 cars (4, 4, and 5 from 2 carpool locations: Sunnyvale Sports Basement and Saratoga Wells Fargo).
* All were on-time, thank you so much, everyone!
* Carpool fees: $8/person for cars of 4's, $7/person for car of 5. Drivers paid $6 for parking. SF carpool additional $7.
* 11 hikers went to Saigon Honk Kong restaurant on Lawrence Expwy/101 afterwards (see pics for dishes)!

2) Total distance: 15 miles, Total elevation gain: 3,500'
3) Started hiking at 9:23 am, finished at 4:24 pm.
* Total average pace: 2.03 mph (7 hrs)
* Break time: ~ 1hr
* Average pace (when moving): 2.5 mph

It's been quite a while since we've had a mystery hike. The sky finally cleared up this weekend and 13 hikers (including 5 newcomers) headed to Big Basin Redwoods State Park for a rigorous workout among the giant redwoods. This 15 mile hike starts from headquarters and traces the Sunset trail to Berry Creek Falls trail where we passed three sets of beautiful waterfalls: Golden cascades, Silver Falls, and the mos famous of the three: Berry Creek Falls. Most hikers would then take the Skyline to the Sea trail back to headquarters, making it an approx 10 mile hike, but our plan was to go further south towards Waddell beach, and then hike up the very steep and partially exposed (sunny) McCrary trail up to Wheat Overlook, then Hinh Hammond Rd back to the parking.

11 of us followed the plan (see map) while two took a slightly shorter loop after Berry Creek Falls through Howard King Trail and reunited with the main group at the Wheat Overlook. The newcomers were all on-time for the carpools (thank you again!) and were well-prepared (food, drinks, hiking poles, clothing), and endured the hike like old-timers. It was a really nice hike through beautiful scenaries and under sunny and warm conditions (high 50's to mid 60's).

Click on any of the following 4 photos to see the index of photos taken for this hike, and to start slideshow:










Thanks everyone for joining this hike, another mystery solved. Your comments are welcomed.

[springbreak]

Thanks Paul for this wonderful event! It has been a while to have this long hike with NPhopper group. So nice that we made it for the first time this year, and even better, found 4 geocaches....