3/3/2002 Big Basin Redwood State Park

Big Basin Redwood State Park (Sunday 3/3/02)

Dear friends,

This week's hike will take place in Big Basin Redwoods state park. It is one of the largest California state parks and the oldest. There are over 80 miles of trails crossing old growth and second growth redwoods, creeks, waterfalls, ridges, valleys, mountain peaks, etc. We will hike about 6 to 8 miles (actual trails to be decided on Sunday), depending on time and the hikers present. Due to the event on Saturday night, instead of meeting at Bijan at 8AM, we will meet this Sunday at 8:45 AM and carpool from there to the park. Please be on time as the drive time is substantial (about an hour). We will get back to Bijan by 3:30 to 4 PM at the latest. The information about this hike has been posted on the website: http://www.signite.com/hiking/index.html (top-most link). Big Basin is definitely one of the premier parks in this area and we've been to it 2 other times last year. Pictures from the last two hikes can also be found on the information page or the archives page.

Notes:
- Meet at Bijan at 8:45 AM (Directions are given in the info page) to carpool
- Bring a picnic lunch - we will eat lunch on the trails!
- Bring at least 2 bottles of water
- I believe it's warm enough to wear shorts and t-shirts, hurray!!. Wear these and bring hiking pants/ sweatshirts on the side.

Please let me know if you're coming (those who've already responded, thank you). See you all on Sunday!

paul

Schedule
Trail Information
Map
Notes about this hike
General notes about hiking trips
Pictures from previous hikes

Schedule for this hike:

8:45 AM. Meet at Saratoga Plaza (Lions Plaza), outside the french Cafe/Bakery (Bijan). Exact address is 441 Saratoga Ave, San Jose. It's just off 280 and Saratoga Ave. See map information below for more details. We will determine carpool arrangements if necessary.
9:00 AM. Leave for Big Basin Redwoods State Park. It'll take about an hour to get there.
10:15 AM. Start hiking the loop.
12:00 PM. Stop somewhere lunch!
2:00 PM. Finish hiking, head back down to Bijan.
3:30 PM. Meet back at Bijan Bakery.

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Trail Information

Park Location: Off Rt 236 about 15 miles southwest of Rt 9/Rt35 intersection. About 25 miles from downtown Saratoga.
Trail Name: To be decided
Distance: 6 to 8 miles.
Elevation change: 500 to 1,000 ft, starting elevation is about 1000 ft.
Time: ~3 to 4 hrs, depending on breaks taken and trail selected
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail conditions: More shade than sun (75% to 25%, respectively). No wind to speak of. Could be foggy in the early morning, generally very comfortable. Weather information: http://www.bigbasin.org/weather.html
What to see: Lots and lots of beautiful redwoods.

Park information: http://www.bigbasin.org/
Trail map: http://virtualparks.com/parks/castle-rock-qtvr-map.html
Waterfall picture: http://www.bigbasin.org/silvercascadefalls.jpg

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Map/directions

Bijan Bakery

The Bijan bakery is in the Saratoga Square plaza (Lions Supermarket). It is just off 280, a few miles south of 85 and a few miles north of 17. This is our main meeting place where carpool will be arranged. Unless indicated otherwise, please meet here.

1. From 280 North or South, get off on Saratoga Ave, towards North (from 280 North, it would be right turn, from 280 South, it would be left turn).
2. Make a left on Kiely Blvd, it is about 1/4 mile from 280.
3. Make a left into the plaza driveway. You'll see a store with the sign "Bakery" closest to Kiely Rd. Burger King is across the parking lot in the same plaze.
4. We'll meet in front of the bakery, by some outdoor cafe tables.

Use this link to get directions from your starting point: Directions.

Big Basin Redwood State Park

1. Take DeAnza or Saratoga Ave towards downtown Saratoga.
2. Turn onto Rt 9 towards Big Basin once you get to downtown Saratoga. You will pass through downtown Saratoga.
3. Go on Rt 9 (all uphill, avg 30 mph) until you hit Rt35, otherwise known as Skyline Blvd. There should be a sign at the intersection for Big Basin. Cross Skyline/35 and continue on Rt 9 for another 8 miles or so until you see the sign for Rt 236.
4. Get off Rt 9 and get onto Rt 236 (veer to the right off Rt 9). You'll stay on Rt 236 for about 10 miles - this is a pretty windy road, so just drive slowly. You will eventually drive into the park and the park headquarters. The parking lot is just past the headquarters (on the left) on your right.

If you are meeting us here, please give yourself 1 hr 15 minutes to get to the park from Bijan and wait by park headquarters. If you are considering meeting us at the park, please do let me know ahead of time, thanks! Email me at pthuang@aol.com

Click on the map on the right to zoom in/out of the area. Or more information: http://www.bigbasin.org/travelbasics.html

Trail Map
To be decided!

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Notes about this hike

Bring 2 to 3 bottles of water. Bring light lunch that's easy to carry- we'll be eating it about half way through the hike.
Wear shorts and tee-shirts. Bring sweatshirts and sweatpants just in case it's cold. But as with other hikes, you'll warm up pretty quickly once we start hiking, especially on uphills.
Please be on time for this hike - it'll take about an hour to get to the park so we need to start early. We will leave Bijan by 9 am!
If you have any questions, email me (pthuang@aol.com) or call me at (650) 814-1169 (cell).

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General notes about hiking trips

1 to 2 bottles of water (I'll have extras if you forget)
Suntan lotion (I'll have a bottle)
Snacks - dried fruits, granola bars, etc.
Sturdy shoes - hiking shoes or sneakers
Sweatshirt/jacket (in case), sweatpants or shorts
Hat (for sunny hikes)
Money (for food if wanted)

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Probable next hike

-Not planned yet.

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Pictures from previous Big Basin hikes

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