Rain: we will still hike only if it’s light rain

TPSNR RULES:

• No food or drink, except water, is allowed in the Reserve above the beach.  Food, of course, is fine on the beach (no alcohol).
• Drones are not allowed anywhere in the Reserve or Beach. Learn More.
• Dogs are not permitted anywhere.
• “Pack it in-pack it out” starting from the beach parking lot. There are no trash cans in the upper Reserve. There are no trash cans along the beach. Trash and recycling bins or dumpsters are available in the beach parking lots.
• No smoking

LEADER:  Orville Stanton

 

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is the home of our nation’s rarest pine tree – Pinus torreyana. Plan to be amazed at God’s handiwork and supreme artistry! Fantastic view and great weather.

OUR PLANNED WALK: On Saturday July 9, arrive at 7:45 am for the 8am start from the beach parking area at the base of the hill; you can find free parking or pay to park in the parking lot. Come early for a good parking spot, also free remote parking. We will walk up to the Visitor Center (3/4 mile up a steep hill). Some may want to park in the lot and meet us at 8:45 am at the Visitor Center. We will combine the Razor Point Trail, Yucca Point and the Beach Trail, and then finish by walking on the surface road back to the Visitor Center. Afterward you can explore the exhibits of the natural and cultural history of the reserve at the Visitor Center museum before walking down hill to the parking lot. Approximate round trip distance is 5.5 miles.

FROM CARLSBAD: I-5 South to Del Mar Heights Rd exit. Turn right. The road ends at the Coast Hwy. Turn left (south) about 1/2-mile and to the entrance to Torrey Pines State Reserve, 12600 North Torrey Pines Rd, San Diego, CA 92037  GPS: 32.92183

TERRAIN: If you park and meet us at the bottom of the hill plan for a steep walk at the Visitor Center. Mostly sandy and hard surfaces, and very rocky in several areas; wear closed-toe shoes with good traction.

RESTROOMS: in the lower lot and at the top near where we will meet.

BRING: Lots of water, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, light clothing layers, sturdy shoes (not flip flops!), lip balm, camera.

CHILDREN: are welcome at your discretion.

PETS: are not allowed even in vehicles.

HIKING SAFETY TIPS: HERE

WHEELCHAIRS or STROLLERS: no

TORREY PINES RESERVE: www.torreypine.org

WALK LEADERS: Larraine Mariano and Bob Bergstedt

VIRGINIA LAKES BACKPACKING TRIP – (one space opened up on 6/29 register asap) This trip should be ideal for first-time backpackers and those looking for an experience at altitudes common in the Sierras.

DATE: Tuesday through Saturday, July 26 -30, 2022

TIMES: Depart at 8 a.m. on Tuesday to caravan apx. 7.5 hours to the exit point at the Green Creek trailhead and leave at least one car there, and then drive back about 45 minutes to the Virginia Creek primitive campground, where we’ll spend Tuesday night. Exit trail Saturday morning and caravan home.

OUR PLANNED BACKPACKING EXPERIENCE: Our hike will form a semi-circle beginning at the Virginia Lakes trailhead westbound before circling north and east to end at the Green Creek trailhead. Since we’ll exit at a different trailhead from where we begin, we’ll leave at least one car at the Green Creek trailhead to shuttle us back for our other vehicle(s).

Our afternoon and night at the Virginia Creek Primitive campground, at 9,600’ altitude, will help our bodies prepare for the altitude to come on our backpacking trip.

On Wednesday morning we’ll have breakfast in the campground and then break camp and drive the short distance to the Virginia Lakes trailhead where we’ll strap on our packs and begin our hike. The first 2.5 miles will be a climb peaking at 11,100’ in elevation before descending another 2.5 miles to Summit Lake at about 10,200’. Many of us will choose to take a dip in the cold lake to rinse off the dust and rejuvenate us for the evening.

On Thursday, we’ll descend to 9,400’ before beginning another climb over Virginia Pass (10,500’) and then completing the day’s 5-mile mosey to Green Lake at just under 9,000’.

Friday will be a day for either resting in camp, fishing in Green Lake, or taking day-hikes to nearby West Lake or East Lake. Saturday, we’ll pack up and do a short 2-mile downhill hike out, collect our cars and head home.

Our route and campgrounds may vary slightly depending on the needs of the group, but conditioned hikers can expect to have a great time in the wilderness. If you want to fish, make sure you get your license before leaving San Diego, and bring a collapsible pole suitable for backpacking. In addition to hiking, activities may include day-hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, devotions in the afternoon or evenings, and stargazing. Look forward to making new friends and enjoying the magnificence of God’s creation in the Sierras!

MANDATORY PRE-TRIP MEETING: We will meet at NCCC at 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 10, to plan the drive and assess gear needs.

COST: $15.00 per hiker. Register HERE  All fees are non-refundable.  When trip is full we will have a wait list in case of cancellations.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Solo tent or a tent shared with your favorite hiking companion. Water pumped and purified by hand. Toilets dug using trowels brought for that purpose. Rinsing in brisk mountain lakes. Cool, cool nights, and warm days shared with other hikers, animals, and mosquitoes. All trash will be packed out.

THINGS TO BRING: 2022 Backpackers Checklist (also there are additional essentials information and pictures at the bottom of this webpage). Much of the group equipment such as stoves & fuel, and water purifiers will be shared to lighten loads and maximize enjoyment of the hikes. It’s recommended that you try to keep your pack weight well below ¼ your body weight.

DOGS: Not allowed in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Wilderness due to hazards with native wildlife.

Additional Information:

• Conditioning and working with your gear – particularly your pack fully loaded – is a must. If you are serious about this trip, start preparing your body now for the rigors of the trip by carrying a pack in steep terrain. You must join me (Mike) on at least one training hike as listed below unless we’ve hiked together before.
• Bear-proof canisters are required to store all food and other items with a fragrance. Canisters may be rented or purchased at REI. We have never had a problem with bears, but we have had numerous encounters so we must be prepared.
• Please…no alcoholic beverages at the campsite.
• Also, please no cohabitation for unmarried campers.
• If you must smoke, please be considerate of other campers and especially the environment.
• We will leave no trash. It destroys the environment and its natural inhabitants, so plan to pack out whatever trash you generate (including used t.p. in a well-sealed bag).

Training Hikes (1 minimum unless we’ve hiked together before):

• Because a good experience for the group requires all of us to be prepared for the trip, you must join me (Mike) on one of the following hikes with a pack bearing the weight you plan to carry. Each hike will be 5-7 miles and will include steep sections and uneven terrain. Contact me if you’re unable to make one of the hikes scheduled, and we can arrange something. These hikes are also open to others not planning to join the trip, so feel free to bring a friend.

• 1 p.m., Sunday, June 5: Double Peak. Meet in the Discovery Lake parking lot, Foxhall Drive, San Marcos.
• 8 a.m., Saturday, June 18: Daley Ranch. Meet at the Daley Ranch trailhead, La Honda Drive, Escondido.
• 9 a.m., Saturday, June 25: Rancho La Costa Preserve. Meet at the trailhead on Corte Romero, Carlsbad.
• 7 a.m., Saturday, July 2: Double Peak. Meet at Discovery Lake, Foxhall Drive, San Marcos.

 

A Note about Bears

Black bears are at home in these mountains. Their natural habitat is the forests and shrub lands below 8,000′, but they will frequently roam above these elevations in order to steal food from backpackers. Federal regulations require proper food storage and prohibit feeding of any park animal. Violations of these regulations will result in a fine of up to $5,000. But even stronger than legal obligations is the moral responsibility to respect the wilderness. Careless food storage spells death for bears. When a bear repeatedly obtains human food and garbage, it becomes destructive and dangerous, and may have to be killed. We will be entering the bears’ “territory.” Learn how to protect your food from bears, and don’t let carelessness destroy them in their own homes.

At trailheads, bears may enter and seriously damage vehicles to reach items left in cars. I have personally witnessed the damage bears can do to vehicles to get into an automobile when the owner left food or trash in their car – or even just containers in view that bears have come to expect to contain food. Do not leave in your car empty ice chests, soiled clothes, food, film, trash, cosmetics, toothpaste or ANY scented item. Take these items with you, or discard them in bear-proof trash containers. Only a few trailheads have bear-proof food storage lockers for hikers and they are often full during the summer months.

 

RAIN:  We will still hike if light rain.

 

LEADER:  Orville Stanton

 

TRIVIA:  The “moonlight” in the name of this beach comes from the fact that local residents used to come to the area for midnight picnics early in the early 1900s.

 

Rain:  We will not walk if it’s raining

ORIENTATION MEETING:  Sunday, August 21, 12:45p, Room C-105 (entrance on south side of Chapel Building)

 

DIRECTIONS:  If using GPS or other navigational devices, please use the following address:  1 Lakeview Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93105

From the South: Take Highway 101 north to Santa Barbara. Take the State Street, Cachuma Lake/Highway 154 exit (Exit 101B) and follow the signs. Drive approximately 18 miles. There is a sign for the park 1/2 mile before the entrance, and there is a right turn lane to use for your safety.

CAMPSITE MAP, RULES, AND ACTIVITIES (IN PDF) we will print some out for the trip too:  HERE

 

CABINS, YURTS and RV sites can be reserved on your own.  HERE

 

DAY USE FEE:  $10

 

PETS:  Please read the park rules above

 

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN SOLVANG:  HERE

BRING: Lots of water, snacks, sturdy shoes/hiking boots, hiking poles are helpful, hat, sunscreen and a completed 2022 Medical Form  (at bottom of this web page) We will have blank forms on hand if you don’t have a printer.

 

 

DOGS:  Leashed dogs are welcomed. Details

 

 

RESTROOMS:  no

 

 

RAIN: We will still hike only if rain is light

 

 

LED BY:  Orville Stanton

LEADER:  Orville Stanton