What we’re about
The Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group is for people who enjoy hiking, being outdoors and socializing. We explore many areas throughout the Monterey Peninsula, BigSur/ Ventana Wilderness, and Santa Cruz Mountains. On occasion, we will offer events out of the area. Hikes are generally for most levels; from 4 mile hikes with minimal elevation gain to 20 mile expeditions with significant elevation gain. Hikes may be scheduled on any day of the week and usually last between 3-5 hours. For those interested in multi-day activities, there will be some car camping or backpacking trips.
Please be advised that we are not a walking group and therefore do not expect to see many short hikes (less than 3 miles) over level terrain . Please match the hike to your skill level.
Please join us for our next hike!
Disclaimer: The Organizers are not professional guides and do not have certified training nor insurance. As you are aware, inherent hazards and risks are associated with hiking and all other physical activity. You are responsible for your own safety and health. The individual hike Organizer is not in charge of this hike, but simply going on a hike and inviting others to join.
As you join, please read the "About" information under the heading "Pages" on the menu at the top of the Home page.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- The Timber Top CHALLENGE!Crossroads Shopping Center Park & Ride, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
This hike is around ~6 miles with 2500' elevation gain in about 2.6 miles along one of the most beautiful trail at the Big Sur Coast. The Boronda Trail is known as "Separation trail" by the local. You'll understand why once you hike this.
Because the hike is short, we'll make it HARDER. (those thinking of hikes and backpacking Sierras, this will be a good prep)
Everyone is REQUIRED to carry EXTRA weight, water is highly recommended. A weight-in will be taken at the trailhead. Your backpack MUST weight at least 10lbs. If you DO NOT agree to the CHALLENGE, please DO NOT sign up for this hike.
If you agreed to the CHALLENGE, please join the waitlist.
Preference is given to those who hiked with me before on challenging hikes, and/or is training/preparing for a backpacking trip.
** For those with troubled knees, you can dump the water at the top to lighten your load for descent.
DISCLAIMER:
“The Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group” group and its event/assistant organizers (the "Organizers") are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release “The Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group” group of [[Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/)](http://meetup.com/) and its Organizers from ANY responsibility, liability or claim in law or in equity. If you DON'T agree to these terms, DO NOT JOIN THIS MEETUP EVENT. “The Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group” group of [[Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/)](http://meetup.com/) doesn't certify the expertise of the Organizers. The Organizers in this [[Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/)]
Will cancel with heavy rain. (Unlikely as of this write up)
The meeting place is Carmel Crossroads P&R at 7:00 and 7:10 car shuttle departure.
- Santa Cruz Island Camping-Cinco de Mayo Weekend 2025Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, CA
Cover Picture: Our group taking lunch break on El Montanon, Anacapa Island in the distance
A. TRIP SUMMARY
This 8th "almost consecutive" (we skipped '20 (COVID!) and '22 (weather)) Cinco de Mayo Weekend at Santa Cruz Island will be a 3 day/2 night trip which will be another joint outing of the MBAHG and my Central Cal. group the Weekend Hikers. The total group size (including MBAHGers and WHers) is limited to ~22 total. Cost per person is $10.00 to cover the cost of the 2 campsites. Once you're added to the trip pay me via Paypal at jlezlanc@gmail.com or Venmo at @jlezlanc1 [the "z" is not a typo in these addresses], and (in Paypal) use the "Send to friends and family in the US" option.The campground includes potable running water, pit toilets, picnic tables, and food lockers.
Important notes:
- BRING ALL YOU NEED TO BE SELF SUFFICIENT
- WE MUST PACK OUT ALL GARBAGE
- NO CAMPFIRES
- SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAGS, CORRUGATED BOXES and STYROFOAM COOLERS NOT ALLOWED ON THE ISLAND
- DON'T COUNT ON CELL RECEPTION ON THE ISLAND
- PLEASE HEED WARNINGS REGARDING ANIMALS-THE FOXES/RAVENS WILL AGGRESSIVELY GO AFTER FOOD/CLOTHING/OTHER LOOSE ITEMS, AND THEY APPARENTLY KNOW HOW TO OPEN ZIPPERS
B. HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
Santa Cruz Island, the largest and most easily accessed of the Channel Islands, has a long and storied past. See this link for some fascinating background, including how the island was named:
HISTORYC. TRIP "411"
1. Meeting Place/Transport
We meet at Island Packers in Ventura, 1691 Spinnaker Drive, for the ferry ride to Scorpion Harbor, which takes ~1 hour. You need to make your own boat reservation through Island Packers at this link (see itinerary below): BOAT RESERVATIONS
Cost is $93.00 round trip ($88.00 over age 55). Cancellations allowed 120 hours prior to sailing. See CANCELLATION POLICIES. Free parking is available at Island Packers.
Book this itinerary:
- Friday May 2: boat from Ventura to Scorpion Cove. You need to be on the 8am or 9am boat if you want to participate in our Friday hike.
- IF YOU ARE JOINING THE BIG SATURDAY HIKE ((SEE SATURDAY ACTIVITY INFO BELOW), BOOK THE SATURDAY 4PM SHUTTLE FROM PRISONERS TO SCORPION
- Sunday May 4: there are currently return boats at noon, 4PM and 4:30PM, I intend to take the last boat.
2. Island Packers Information and Policies
It is critical that you review the ISLAND PACKERS CAMPERS INFO for all pertinent instructions/requirements/information.*NOTE-the "official" weight limitation is 60 lbs per person excluding water and fuel!
3. Campground Information:
The area we'll be visiting is in the Channel Islands National Park and is managed by the National Park Service. For detailed information about our campground and park, please review the NPS WEBSITEWe're in group sites D&E, which are in the "Upper Loop"; these are ~3/4 mile on a slightly uphill dirt road from our boat landing.
4. Activity Information:
- Friday (arrival day): Once we've done preliminary setup in camp and had lunch, there'll be some sort of hike TBD depending on weather, trail conditions and the interests of the group. We may have a naturalist to give us a personalized tour.
- Saturday: Planned hike will be a repeat of the 2023 one-way hike from our camp to Prisoners Harbor (~13 miles, ~3,100' el gain) with 4PM boat shuttle (~3O minutes) back. More details will follow.
- Sunday: Open day, on prior trips folks have done solo or small-group exploring. There's lots to see and do. I may go kayaking if the weather cooperates.
- Kayaking: Kayaking is an available option and Scorpion Anchorage is a great kayaking spot (there are tours, rentals (which need to be transported to and from the island) or you can bring your own kayak for an additional fee. See this link for KAYAKING INFO.
5. Meals
Everybody should bring sufficient food for the entire trip (including lunches on the trail), and if you need cooking equipment, bring it or arrange with someone else to share with them. I encourage folks to group up to coordinate their food/camp kitchen. We'll have a Cinco de Mayo potluck on Friday night for those who want to participate. Alcoholic beverages are allowed and STRONGLY ENCOURAGED, we don't want to run out!
D. ATTENDANCE AND RSVPs
To attend, please RSVP to the Waitlist. Attendance limited to ~22 people total of which about half will be MBAHGers and the other half will be from the Weekend Hikers. If you are interested in attending, place your name on the wait list. Priority will be given to active participants in the MBAHG who will enjoy the experience with the group, and who don't have a history of "No-Shows". I do not allow "+1"s on this trip, anyone who wants to attend must be a member of MBAHG.Once you are moved to the "yes" list, I strongly recommend making your boat reservation because the boats can sell out. IF A TRIP IS SHOWN AS SOLD OUT ONLINE, CALL ISLAND PACKERS, THEY SOMETIMES HAVE SPACE.
E. WHAT TO BRING
- Everything you need for self-sufficient camping (shelter, sleeping bag, headlamp, food, cooking and eating gear, booze etc.)
- Appropriate clothing for day, night and beach use (include layers); weather can be variable between hot and cold, wet and dry, and wind.
- Sturdy hiking shoes or boots with good tread for participating in hikes
- Sun protection (hat/sunscreen)
- Trekking poles always advised
- If joining on Saturday hike, MAKE SURE TO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO CARRY AT LEAST 2 LITERS OF WATER PER PERSON!!
- Camp chair (we do a lot of sitting around camp with wine/beer/etc.)
F. RESPONSIBILITY/DISCLAIMER:
“The Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group” ("MBAHG") and its event/assistant organizers (the "Organizers") are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release MBAHG and its Organizers from ANY responsibility, liability or claim in law or in equity. If you DON'T agree to these terms, DO NOT JOIN THIS MEETUP EVENT. MBAHG doesn't certify the expertise of the Organizers. The Organizers are volunteers. You are responsible for yourself. We expect you to take responsibility for your safety during our activities. Joining activities with MBAHG is entirely voluntary and participants assume the full risks associated with the activities. It is each participant's responsibility to ensure that he/she is in sufficient fitness and health to participate in the activity, and to bring appropriate water, food, clothing, first aid, and navigation equipment for the conditions. MBAHG and individual Organizers make no representation or warranties about the quality, safety, or supervision of these activities. By making a "Yes" RSVP to this event you acknowledge and agree to the foregoing as well as all of the Meetup.com terms and policies.Not open
