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Trip Number: 12441A
Price: $515
Deposit: $100
Capacity: 13
Staff: Kathryn Hannay
Highlights:
- Enjoy beautiful central California scenery
- Help with trail maintainance and French Broom removal
- Explore beaches, hike, and spot wildlife and wildflowers on day off
Includes:
- All work equipment
- Tent camping
- All meals
The Trip
Photo: Carla Gilbert
Please note that the trip title has changed from what was originally published. If you
have questions, please
contact us.
From the majestic redwood forests, where the mountains meet the sea, the magic
and mystery of the Big Sur Coast draws visitors from around the world. For the
third year, the Sierra Club has been invited back to continue the work in Pfeiffer
Big Sur State Park to improve trails, remove invasive French Broom, and re-vegetate
sections with native plants of a variety of species.
We will be based at Pfeiffer State Park, home to redwoods, marine chaparral,
conifers, oaks, and open meadow. The park includes a café, lodge, laundromat,
and grocery store. Points of interest close to the park include restaurants,
art galleries, beaches, and other state parks including Andrew Molera, Pt. Lobos,
and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters
are common here; California gray whales can be spotted during their yearly spring
migration from nearby Soberanes Point.
We will work three to four days on trail-building and removal of invasive French
Broom, and have a free day to explore the beaches, hike, enjoy spring wildflowers,
and look for California Condors, gray whales, sea otters.
The Project
We will work most days at Pfeiffer Big Sur to improve the trails, and reroute
a steep trail section. We will also eradicate invasive plant species that are
pushing out native species. Pfeiffer State Park offers diverse coastal habitats
with trails following the river among redwood groves and tanbark oak. Tools
will be provided. For the work project, trip members need to wear long pants
and sturdy shoes, and provide work gloves. While poison oak is present in the
park, the projects are not in dense poison oak areas. Technu soap is provided
at the end of each work day for trip members and hot showers are available,
at the cost of a few quarters.
Itinerary
Photo: Carla Gilbert
Our trip will begin at Pfeiffer State Park, 30 miles from Monterey at 4 p.m.
on March 31. The first meal will be in dinner on Saturday, March 31. The final
meal will be breakfast on Friday, April 6. Trip members share the responsibility
for meals each day, getting directions from the staff cook. Lunches are packed
each morning for the trail. Participants must bring portable containers for
lunch, in addition to cookware for other meals. We will be tent camping by the
Big Sur River, with access to flush toilets and pay-showers. The week’s
menu is vegetarian-friendly, with an emphasis on local, fresh produce.
Getting There
The closest airport is Monterey, approximately 40 miles from our campsite.
The San Jose airport is a two-hour drive, depending upon traffic and time of
arrival. The San Francisco airport is approximately a three-hour drive, again,
depending upon the time of day. Hwy 1 is the most direct route. A section of
the road south of Monterey is currently under repair; only one lane is open
at a time, which will require more time and patience when traveling. If road
closures are a problem, an alternative route is to use the Naciemento Fergusson
Road, through King City, off Hwy 101. Trip members will be alerted to road conditions
as part of pre-trip leader communication.
Accommodations and Food
We will be tent camping at Pfeiffer State Park in the redwoods by the Big Sur
River, with access to flush toilets and pay-showers. The week's menu is vegetarian-friendly,
with an emphasis on local, fresh produce.
Trip Difficulty
Photo: Carla Gilbert
We will be hiking a mile through the redwoods to the work site with tools
and day packs. Each day we will be heading farther into the park to complete
the section of trail that we have been assigned. Trail work is strenuous; it
is important that trip members be in good physical condition for the work this
trip demands. The trip is otherwise moderate in level of activity. We ask that
trip members hike in groups of three for personal safety on free days. When
working on the trail, we ask that you leave personal packs on the edge of the
trail so that we can easily identify everyone's whereabouts during the work
project.
Equipment and Clothing
The state park will provide the necessary tools. Trip members will need to
bring sturdy boots, long pants, work gloves, a long shirt, and a day pack that
is large enough to carry a lunch, 2 one-liter water bottles, rain gear, sunscreen,
camera, and any other items you will need for the day. A Tupperware container
is recommended for your lunch. We provide a first-aid kit, but ask that you
bring moleskin, band-aids, and your own medication as needed.
The central California coast weather can range from windy and cold to warm
and mild; temperatures will likely range from 40 to 70 degrees. An equipment
list is available upon acceptance to the trip.
References
Photo: Carla Gilbert
- www.parks.ca.gov Pfeiffer State Parks
- www.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- www.ventanaws.org California Condors
- www.ventana.sierraclub.org Monterey County Chapter Bulletin
Trip Price
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details
about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.
The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Staff
Leader:
Kathryn Hannay has hiked in Big Sur for many years and has led service trips in Wyoming, Colorado and Alaska for the opportunity to work with people who enjoy the challenge of a work project, pleasure of exploring a new area and the satisfaction that comes from working together to improve the natural beauty of the wild places.
E-mail:
khannay9@gmail.com
Cook:
Alison Campbell literally grew up with Sierra Club Outings, taking her first trip at the age of four, in the High Sierra country of California. Since then she's served as both Trip Leader and Cook on several service trips. Alison is a Registered Nurse and mother to four amazing kids. She looks forward to meeting new people and cooking "food for the soul." Alison is also trained in yoga and will offer morning stretching sessions before the work project.
E-mail: alizondove@yahoo.com
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips